Runnymede

Beautifully preserved 1840 whaling captain's house and gardens.

Just 8 minutes’ drive from central Hobart, Runnymede has a rich collection of maritime artifacts that belonged to Captain Charles Bayley and his family, who made it their home for over 100 years. Named after the Captain’s favourite ship, Runnymede now promotes marine conservation.

The Colonial marine villa was built for Robert Pitcairn, one of the first lawyers admitted to the Supreme Court of Van Diemen’s Land and a leading campaigner against the transportation of convicts.

There are also historic artworks and possessions of one of the property’s other owners,  Francis Nixon, Tasmania’s first Anglican bishop.

Join one of our knowledgeable volunteers on the Captain’s House Tour to discover everything this lovely homestead has to offer. Visitors are also encouraged to take a leisurely stroll around the beautiful gardens.

Runnymede is available for hire for private events such as weddings, conference cocktails, or corporate dinners. There are a variety of special events throughout the year including an annual High Teas and the Spring and Autumn Plant Sales. One-hour school tours are also offered (see links below).

 

Runnymede is closed during July and August to undertake much-needed housekeeping and collection work.

 

Captain’s House Tour 

Join one of our knowledgeable volunteers on a 45 minute Captain’s House Tour to discover everything this lovely homestead has to offer.

Runnymede has been owned by three families beginning with the Pitcairn family c.1840 and then the first Bishop of Tasmania, Francis Russell Nixon and his wife Anna Nixon, as well as several generations of the Bayley and Bayly Family.

Visitors are also encouraged to take a leisurely stroll around the beautiful heritage gardens.”

Runnymede Garden Tour 

Immerse yourself in the tranquility and beauty of this marvellous 120 year old garden with this 1 hour tour.

Surrounding the villa on all sides, this meticulously maintained garden is filled with flowering shrubs and bulbs, fruit trees, heritage roses, herbs, and hedges.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll with one of the gardens dedicated National Trust volunteers as they guide you around the grounds.

Check our booking site for availability.

Plan your Visit

Runnymede

Address:

61 Bay Road, New Town, Hobart 7008 TAS

Open:

Open for tours Friday to Sunday, 10am–3pm
Bookings preferred (see link below)

Closed:

Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day & Good Friday.
Closed July and August.

Phone:
(03) 6278 1269
Email:
runnymede@nationaltrusttas.org.au
Website:
https://nationaltrusttas.rezdy.com/
Entry Fees:

Adult $15 | Concession $12 I Child aged 7-16 yrs $5 | National Trust Members & children 6 yrs and under FREE

What we offer:

"From the minute you arrive in the fabulous old garden, maintained by wonderful volunteers, to being warmly received by your guide, Runnymede is a delight."

One of many 5 star TripAdvisor reviews

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Tours & Experiences

Explore the house and gardens with an informative guided tour.

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School Tours

School Tours

This one hour guided tour helps students learn about the social and cultural traditions of the 19th century, the role of servants, and the workings of a self-sufficient estate.

Find out more
Private Functions

Private Functions

Runnymede house and gardens are also available for private events.
"The venue is gorgeous, the staff are amazing and they will bend over backwards to make sure that your event runs brilliantly."
Enquiries to: runnymede@nationaltrusttas.org.au

Conference & Business Events

Conference & Business Events

From ‘Captain’s Cocktails’ to private sit-down dinners or high teas, this very special venue can accommodate up to 50 in the drawing room, or up to 150 in a marquee in the historic gardens. Add-on tours and theatre experiences also available.
For an info pack, email: runnymede@nationaltrusttas.org.au

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Three Favourite Things

Seaweed patterns such as the one shown on this Chamberlains Worcester dinner service (c. 1830) were once very popular and graced Tasmanian homes from the 1820s. This service was purchased by the National Trust but coincidentally, after it had been put on display at Runnymede, one of the volunteer gardeners found a small shard of seaweed pattern china in the garden.

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Three Favourite Things

This pair of elegant bamboo and cane arm chairs, dating from the early mid-19th century, were brought to Tasmania by Captain Bayley. The Bayley brothers, Charles and James, sent their ships to trade in China and regularly brought back furnishings and decorative objects to furnish their homes.

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Three Favourite Things

Made from sandalwood overlaid with a micro mosaic of ivory, mother of pearl, ebony and cut steel, this work box dates from the mid-19th century. It was imported into the Van Diemen's Land colony from Western India as part of the Anglo Indian trade. Inside a lady could place all her cottons, threads and small pieces of needlework.

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