Hambledon Cottage, Heritage cottage in Parramatta, Australia
Hambledon Cottage is a residential building in Parramatta built in Georgian style using sandstock bricks and Australian red cedar. The structure sits within grounds that contain mature gardens and offers insight into how colonial families lived in the early 1800s.
John Macarthur commissioned the cottage in 1817, with construction starting in 1824 to provide his family with additional space during the colonial period. The building became part of a larger property that reflected Macarthur's economic standing in the developing British settlement.
The cottage served as home to Penelope Lucas, the first female governess in New South Wales, who shaped the surrounding gardens during her time here. The rooms reflect how a well-off colonial family lived in those early years.
The cottage today operates as a house museum managed by the Parramatta and District Historical Society, offering visitors a look at colonial life through displays and educational activities. It is worth checking opening times ahead of your visit to ensure access for guided tours and programs.
The grounds hold mature trees planted by Macarthur during the early colonial era, including English oak and cork oak specimens that remain from the original property. These trees have survived more than two centuries and demonstrate the landscaping vision of that time.
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