Hambledon Cottage: A Perfectly Preserved Colonial Homestead
As the second-oldest European settlement in Australia after Sydney Cove, the Parramatta region is still home to some of the country’s oldest and most beautiful historic buildings, including Hambledon Cottage. Several early 19th century residences in the suburb of Harris Park are now open to the public, and among them is the Colonial Georgian style Hambledon Cottage.
Hambledon Cottage was built by wool industry pioneer John Macarthur in 1824. The cottage was the second residence he built on his Elizabeth Farm Estate and throughout its life housed an impressive list of noteworthy residents including General Sir Edward Macarthur, Archdeacon Thomas Hobbes Scott and Dr. Matthew Anderson. Penelope Lucas, the former governess to John Macarthur's daughters, lived there for nine years, and named the house after the township of Hambledon in Hampshire, England.
The cottage is built of rendered sandstock brick and showcases some fine examples of Georgian detailing, particularly in the red cedar joinery. Today the cottage has been restored and furnished in the style of the mid-1800s. The kitchen includes an excellent example of an original domed, wood-fire brick oven. The gardens surrounding the cottage feature a number of magnificent trees, several of which were planted by John Macarthur himself.
Visitors can get a sense of what life was like for the original inhabitants of Hambledon Cottage by taking a tour of the property, which is open to visitors Thursdays through to Sundays. Hambledon Cottage is part of a sign-posted heritage walk through the historic precinct of Harris Park, which also includes Elizabeth Farm House and Experiment Farm Cottage.
Posted on Jun 20, 2011 by Fiona Davies
