Whitley, Sutton Forest

Whitley is a two-story residence built between 1887 and 1892 that blends Victorian, Elizabethan, and Tudor Revival styles throughout its design. The house displays these architectural features across its facades and interior spaces, creating a distinctive period appearance.

The estate was originally built as a country retreat for Sir William Owen, a Supreme Court judge of New South Wales. It later became the home of the Sydney Morning Herald's first Australian editor.

The house attracted working artists who found inspiration within its rooms and grounds during the early 1900s. The property became a place where creative people gathered to pursue their artistic interests.

The estate sits on Oldbury Road and the gardens can be visited by horticultural groups with advance arrangement. Visitors should plan ahead since the house only opens for organized group visits.

The garden contains Monterey cypress trees, Himalayan cedars, and original hawthorn hedges planted when the property was first established. These plantings shape the landscape and reveal how the grounds were designed over a century ago.