Restored historic farmstead on a generous plot in the Elbe river landscape

INTERIOR

The Ensemble
This former country estate in Wendland lies within an expansive garden landscape with mature trees, a pond, raised beds, and a historic fountain. Three distinct buildings define the property: the centrally positioned main house, a set-back guest house with its own terrace, and a barn. Each can be used independently, yet together they form a harmonious whole.

Main House
The main house blends historic character with a thoughtfully understated interior concept. Its layout is generous, the rooms filled with light, and the overall design both clear and warmly atmospheric.

On the ground floor, the open-plan living area brings together kitchen, dining, and living spaces. The sleek fitted kitchen contrasts elegantly with original features such as timber floors and mullioned windows. A guest room with its own bathroom, a quiet study, and a bedroom with direct garden access provide comfortable retreats.

The adjoining master bathroom is bright and minimalist, yet full of character. Natural stone floors, a freestanding tub and shower, exposed brick walls, and large French doors evoke an almost Mediterranean mood.

Upstairs, two large rooms open beneath exposed roof trusses and beams. Bookshelves, patterned wallpapers, and wooden details create a distinctive atmosphere, while views of the surrounding greenery underscore the sense of calm.

A former stable wing adjoins the house, offering four separate rooms that can be used flexibly: as a studio, workshop, or storage. Each has direct access to the garden or courtyard, reinforcing the open, connected quality of the house.

The Guest House
The guest house is a self-contained building with striking design and a loft-like character. At its heart is a soaring, double-height living space with a fireplace, checkerboard flooring, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing views of the garden. An open timber structure, painted in a vibrant green, adds depth and presence.

The ground floor also features a solid-wood kitchen, dining area, bathroom with floral motifs, guest WC, and a winter garden with access to the terrace. The sequence of spaces is practical yet playful, marked by surprising details and a clear rhythm.

An open staircase leads up to the gallery level, where a spacious sleeping area extends beneath the gable. Bathed in light and open to nature, this floor continues the strong presence of timber construction that defines the house.

With its independence and distinctive character, the guest house works equally well as a private living unit for visitors or as a creative retreat in its own right.

EXTERIOR

Main House
The main house is a classic brick building with a steep gabled roof, a symmetrical façade, and a centrally placed entrance reached by a winding garden path. Ivy covers the street and garden elevations, blending the structure seamlessly into its natural surroundings. Among the lush greenery, roses, hydrangeas, and perennials bloom. Mullioned windows and the green-and-white entrance door, painted with a traditional diamond motif, reinforce the house’s rural elegance.

The architecture conveys solidity, calm, and presence. Set slightly back from the street, the house opens generously toward the garden, where its windows frame deep views into the greenery. The climbing plants, historic brickwork, and artisanal details combine into an atmospheric whole with an almost enchanted quality.

Guest House
The guest house stands as an independent unit, distinguished by clear lines and a striking design concept. Its façade combines red exposed brick with dark timber framing and expansive glazing. A steep tiled roof, symmetrical form, and a greenery-clad entrance give the building a sculptural presence in the landscape.

Inside, a soaring living space unfolds with floor-to-ceiling windows, an open timber structure, and a central fireplace. The design is expressive and characterful: green timber framing, diagonal tiled floors, and surprising bursts of color define the mood. A solid-wood kitchen, a bathroom with floral details, a guest WC, and a winter garden opening onto the terrace provide a layout that is both functional and playful.

A gallery leads to the upper floor with its open sleeping area, visible beam construction, and wide views of the surrounding greenery. With its strong architectural character, the guest house is equally suited as a self-contained residence or a creative retreat.

Barn
The long, brick-built barn marks the northern edge of the property, framing the ensemble toward the street. With green-painted shutters and doors, it connects directly to the main house, together forming a traditional courtyard arrangement. The façade reveals artisanal details such as ventilation slits, brick gables, and the interplay of solid masonry with historic timber framing.

Inside, several well-preserved rooms offer potential for a range of uses: workshop, studio, storage, or even animal husbandry. Partial conversion for residential purposes could also be imagined. Its structure is solid, its presence authentic and full of history.

LOCATION
The estate lies on the quiet southern edge of Dannenberg (Elbe), in the village of Nebenstedt; a small, historic settlement with agricultural roots. Surrounded by the open landscapes of the Lower Saxon Elbe Valley floodplains, the setting is shaped by old farmsteads, gardens, meadows, and its closeness to the dike. Views stretch across fields and groves into the protected wetlands; a region defined by vastness and stillness.

The Elbe Valley is part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve, one of northern Germany’s most ecologically valuable protected areas. Storks, cranes, and sea eagles are as much at home here as the people who value both closeness to nature and an independent way of life. The Elbe itself is only minutes away.

Despite its rural calm, the property is surprisingly well connected: Dannenberg’s center is just minutes away, with shops, schools, doctors, a weekly market, hospital, and train station. From here, direct rail service links to Lüneburg and Hamburg. The Hanseatic city lies only about an hour’s drive to the southeast; ideal for commuters, weekend travelers, or city dwellers seeking space and tranquility.