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Historic "Christ Church" at Longford
Longford
Midlands Region
Historic "Wellington Street"
Longford
Midlands Region
Cafe on "Heritage Corner"
Longford
Midlands Region
Historic "Big Store" emporium
Longford
Midlands Region
Historic manor house
Longford
Midlands Region
Historic Catholic church
Longford
Midlands Region
Gardeners Cottage at Woomers Estate
Longford
Midlands Region
Rose Garden at Woolmers Estate
Longford
Midlands Region
Historic railway bridge at Longford
Longford
Midlands Region

Main photo gallerys are below Information.

LONGFORD

Woolmers, Brickendon & Perth

SMALL PHOTO & INFORMATION PAGE

LONGFORD is a historic town that boasts 2 world class, historic estates in Woolmers and Brickendon. Touring these estates is an experience, as close to the 19th Century, as you are going to get in Tasmania. Both estates are easy to access and tour. Longford is also a town with a supermarket, plus some cafes, hotels and commercial facilities as well as a variety of accommodation venues.

Longford is located just west of the A1 Midland Highway very close to LAUNCESTON. From Longford you are 15 minutes from EVANDALE, CARRICK and LAUNCESTON. You are 30 minutes from WESTBURY, CAMPBELL TOWN and DELORAINE. Nearby places are described in the MIDLANDS REGION page.

Longford is one of a number of towns on the A1 Midland Highway, which is called the Heritage Highway by the tourist industry. The other historic towns are: CAMPBELL TOWN, EVANDALE, ROSS, CARRICK, DELORAINE, OATLANDS, KEMPTON and PONTVILLE. For further information go to my MIDLANDS REGION page or telephone any visitor information office in these towns or contact www.heritagehighway.com.au


View Midlands in a larger map

FACILITIES: There is a modern supermarket, plus shops, cafes, hotels and a petrol pump at Longford. There is also a cafe at Woolmers Estate. There is some accommodation at LONGFORD and nearby PERTH, plus much accommodation at LAUNCESTON.

TOURIST information is located at the JJ BAKERY, Wellington St, Longford. The telephone number is (03) 6397 7321

SIGHTS: The Longford area was first settled by Thomas Archer and his family from 1817. He strove to turn this area, called the Norfolk Plains, into a landscape that resembled his native Hertfordshire in England. He succeeded and the result is that nearly 200 years, much of this area really does look like his native England.

There are some lovely heritage buildings in Longford itself, particularly in the Heritage Corner area. In the grave yard behind CHRIST CHURCH, you can find the grave of Anne Edmunds. She was the mother to the first European child born in northern Tasmania.

The really outstanding attractions of Longford are the two Archer estates: WOOLMERS and BRICKENDON. They are both south of the town. These estates will give you a very powerful glimpse into life in 19th Century Van Diemensland. Woolmers is also the site of the NATIONAL ROSE GARDEN, which is an attraction in its own right.

PERTH is a town on the main A1 Midland Highway with some historic assets. It is a few kilometres east of Longford.

ESKLEIGH House has some of the best ceiling decorations in Tasmania. It is on the southern edge of Perth.

ILLAWARRA is a locality north west of Longford. It has a lovely old church, plus the humble grave of the great painter Tom Roberts.

ROUTES: From LAUNCESTON drive south for 15 minutes on the A1 Midland Highway, until you see the sign in the town of Perth pointing west to B52 Illawarra Road leading to Longford. You then turn south from this road into Longford.

You can also reach Longford on the A1 Bass Highway by turning south onto B52 near CARRICK.

PERTH is just north east of Longford. Drive north from Longford town onto B52 and turn east to reach Perth.

ESKLEIGH HOUSE is reached by turning east at the bridge on the southern edge of Perth.

ILLAWARRA is reached by driving north on B52 the road to Carrick.

Both WOOLMERS and BRICKENDON are south of Longford. Drive south on C520 Wellington Street, which becomes Woolmers Street. Brickendon is on the southern edge of the town, while Woolmers is about another 5 minutes further down this road.

To LARGER LONGFORD PHOTOS

  • LONGFORD
  • Brickendon
  • Rose Garden
  • Woolmers
  • Perth
  • Eskleigh
  • Tom Roberts

 

Christ Church at Longford

1/ Longford's Christ Church is a Gothic Revival style, Anglican Church that was built in 1839. It shows the strong lines of classic late 19th Century architecture. The church dominates a large park on the northern edge of the older part of the town. This impressive church is the symbol of Longford.

Christ Church at Longford

2/ Behind Christ Church is an old grave yard. The plethora of European trees and old graves that you see make the grave yard seemed to be a part of the Old England that the settlers came from.

Anne Edmunds grave at Longford

3/ I was very fortunate to discover this grave lying horizontal on the ground on the far western end of the yard. It was in a deplorable state, but when I darken the letters, I could read the following very interesting text: "Sacred to the Memory of Anne Edmunds Who Departed this life October 184? Aged 86 Years And Who was the Mother of the First Child of British Descent born on the northern side of Van Diemensland ..." Until 1852 Tasmania, then called Van Diemensland, was divided into northern and southern colonies. I would make a guess that Anne Edmunds had a child in Yorktown about 1804.

St Augustines at Longford

4/ This lovely old church is St Augustine's. It is a Catholic church built in the Gothic Revival style, which was popular in the late 19th Century. The grave in the front shows a fine example of a Celtic cross. St Augustine's is in the southern part of Longford.

Uniting Church at Longford

5/ This is the lovely Uniting Church. It is also built in the Gothic Revival style. It is located in the southern part of Longford.

heritage street in Longford

6/ This view is of an old section of Longford photographed from near Heritage Corner. It shows Wellington Street, which has this impressive array of Victorian era buildings showing a complete 19th Century streetscape.

old building in Longford

7/ The heart of historic Longford is the corner of Wellington and Marlborough streets. This former hotel has now been transformed into a lovely cafe.

The Big Store of Longford

8/ The Big Store is a grand old example of a 19th Century emporium. It was built in 1889 and is one of the largest surviving buildings in the older part of Longford.

old mill of Longford

9/ This old mill towers over the older part of Longford. At present (2015) it is not being used.

old factory at Longford

10/ I presume that this interesting old building is some kind of 19th Century factory.

state school of Longford

12/ Longford has a lovely state school built in 1934. Its lovely gardens make it an attractive example of early 20th Century architecture.

Tabernacle of Longford

7/ The old Tabernacle is a former church. It was built in 1880 and is today used as a funeral parlour.

old house of Longford

8/ Longford has many fine examples of the different kinds of 19th Century houses. The 19th Century extensions to this old cottage show that it has an interesting tale to tell.

old house of Longford

9/ This lovely house is a classic, Victorian era, working man's cottage. It was what every average, colonial family aspired to own.

old house of Longford

10/ This large, Victorian era house is built in the late colonial style. The two halves design, plus the large joining verandah suggest that it may once have been a hotel.

Georgian cottage at Longford

11/ This quaint old house is a classic example of a mid 19th Century, Georgian era cottage.

Georgian Manor house at Longford

12/ The double storey, plus the elaborate, stone porch attest to this being a 19th Century manor house. I am sure that it too has a tale to tell.

Park at Longford

13/ Longford has a war memorial located in a lovely park. This park is opposite the Christ Church shown above and marks the beginning of the older part of Longford.

Race Course Hotel at Longford

14/ This is the Racecourse Inn, which is located on the southern edge of Longford. It was built in the 1840s to service the Longford race track, which it is just opposite. Today it offers patrons older style accommodation.

Kingsley House at Longford

15/ This is Kingsley House. It is a Victorian era, colonial style hotel with an unusual balcony. It is located on the northern edge of Longford near a modern supermarket. It also offers patrons older style accommodation.

hotel at Longford

16/ This large, Victorian era hotel is located in the Heritage Corner area of Longford. To the right you can see the new mobile phone tower, which many local residents say spoils the appearance of the older part of the town.

hotel at Longford

17/ This Victorian era hotel located in the northern part of Longford has a very good display of the car races that were held in Longford in the 1950s and 1060s.

Esk River at Longford

18/ This is the South Esk River near Longford. Its banks are lined with willow trees and give the whole area a very European appearance. Unfortunately, willow trees in Tasmania are now known to clog rivers and are now, thus, considered to be pests.

railway bridge at Longford

19/ This is one part of the old South Esk Railway Bridge. It is an impressive example of mid 19th Century, industrial architecture. It is located near the northern entrance to Longford. There is a large open area at its base.

railway bridge at Longford

20/ This is the other section of the old South Esk Railway Bridge. It is adjacent to the bridge shown above. I can easily imagine that these two structures could be the centre piece of a great river, adventure park. These bridges are located on the northern edge of Longford.

longford

21/ This is the view of the old South Esk Railway Bridge from the western side, where there is pretty park and walking track. It would be good, if this park could be extended to the other side of the river.

 

BRICKENDON is an estate just south of Longford in the Midlands of central northern Tasmania. It was developed by William Archer, the brother of Thomas Archer, the founder of the nearby Woolmers Estate, from 1824 to the 1850s. Like Woolmers, it is also on the National Heritage list. Today it offers guest accommodation, plus receptions. You can telephone on 6391 1383 or 0418 127 767 or the contact is accommodation@brick end on. com. au or www.brickendon.com.au

Brickendon Estate near Longford

1/ The Brickendon homestead was built in 1829 in a grand Georgian style. It was made out of 300,000 bricks that were baked on the site. It is surrounded by a very large garden, as was the custom of the gentry at this time.

Brickendon Estate, Longford, Tasmania

2/ The rear of Brickendon shows the adjoining wings to the main house. On the left is the guest and storage block and on the right is the female servants block.

court yard of the Brickendon Estate near Longford

3/ This view looks directly at the court yard. This was where the servants did many out door jobs. The bell in the centre was used to summon the servants working further away.

Brickendon Estate near Longford

4/ This photo shows a long range view of the homestead from a path into the garden. Note the variety of foliage.

coach house of the Brickendon Estate near Longford

5/ This photo shows the coach house of Brickendon Estate. The possession of this facility attests to the relative wealth of the Estate.

Brickendon Estate, Longford, Tasmania

6/ The gardener of Brickendon had such a high status on the Estate that he merited his own independent cottage. Note the size of his cottage compared to the Homestead.

Monkey puzzle tree at Brickendon Estate near Longford

7/ The effects of 170 years of growth can be seen in this beautiful monkey puzzle tree.

8/ This shows one of 3 very large barns that now form the entrance to the Brickendon Farm. The farm village part of the estate was started in 1824. In 1829 William Archer moved from the cottage in this area to the Homestead, which was located a mile away.

9/ These three barns form the work court of Brickendon. The barn to the left is today used for receptions, while the central barn is today the entrance.

Brickendon Estate, Longford, Tasmania

10/ The Brickendon barns are called "Dutch" barns. They were positioned on stilts as part of the building method.

Brickendon Estate, Longford, Tasmania

11/ The tiny building on the left is the smoke house, where meat was smoked to preserve it. Next to it is the cottage that was first used by William Archer, before he moved to the Brickendon Homestead.

Brickendon Estate, Longford, Tasmania

12/ The Brickendon Farm is made up of a number of streets with many buildings. In the centre you can see the William Archer Cottage. Behind it is the chapel. To the right is a worker's cottage and to the left is the Smoke House. The church makes Brickendon a hamlet.

Brickendon Estate, Longford, Tasmania

13/ This is the Blacksmiths Shop. His skill was vital to the independence of the Brickendon Estate.

Brickendon Estate, Longford, Tasmania

14/ Every decent estate had its own chapel. Religion was considered vital for the reform of convicts, so Sunday attendance was mandatory at Brickendon.

Brickendon Estate, Longford, Tasmania

15/ The Brickendon Chapel was quite well furbished. The stain glass windows show that quite some expense was involved.

Brickendon Estate, Longford, Tasmania

16/ The rear of the Brickendon Chapel looks quite rustic.

Brickendon Estate, Longford, Tasmania

17/ This photo shows a view of the large grounds of the Brickendon Estate. Note the ditches dug to move water and the hawthorn hedges planted to confine stock. An important painting was done from this point.

Brickendon Estate, Longford, Tasmania

18/ This photo shows the shearing shed. Wool was an important product of the Brickendon Estate.

Brickendon Estate, Longford, Tasmania

19/ The stables at Brickendon were adjacent to the shearing sheds. Note the large size of the buildings.

Brickendon Estate, Longford, Tasmania

20/ The Brickendon Estate is a working farm and still rears many animals.

 

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

1/ The National Rose Garden is a separate entity from the Woolmers Estate. It sits on the site of Woolmers original orchard. Above is the original house of the orchardist, which now looks out on a vast rose garden.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

2/ Rose Garden Lane looks down at the Orchardists House and the Woolmers Estate. Beyond is the Macquarie River and the Tiers Mountains.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

3/ Another view of the pretty cottage of the orchardist of Woolmers. It really did remind me of a house in Toyland.

National Rose Garden at Woolmers Estate northern Tasmania

4/ This is the lovely grove that leads into the heart of the National Rose Garden at Woolmers. To the left is a rose decorated arcade.

National Rose Garden at Woolmers Estate northern Tasmania

5/ The rose arcade was an enchanting place to walk through with all its rose blooming. It is a major attraction of the National Rose Garden at Woolmers.

sculpture at National Rose Garden at Woolmers Estate northern Tasmania

6/ This interesting modern sculpture is a recent addition to the National Rose Garden at Woolmers.

National Rose Garden at Woolmers Estate northern Tasmania

7/ At the centre of the National Rose Garden at Woolmers is the rotunda and its water feature.

rotunda at National Rose Garden at Woolmers Estate northern Tasmania

8/ The rotunda adds an interesting piece of geometry to the lovely colors and shapes of the National Rose Garden at Woolmers Estate.

National Rose Garden at Woolmers Estate northern Tasmania

9/ A major supporting feature of the National Rose Garden at Woolmers is the lanes of topiary. This really adds to the effect of the roses.

National Rose Garden at Woolmers Estate northern Tasmania

10/ The lanes of clipped trees and topiary reminded me of some of the best features of classic Italian gardens.

National Rose Garden at Woolmers Estate northern Tasmania

11/ This was one of the lanes leading to the rotunda, which you can see on the left.

National Rose Garden at Woolmers Estate northern Tasmania

12/ This photo shows the plethora of colors and shapes that made up the National Rose Garden at Woolmers.

National Rose Garden at Woolmers Estate northern Tasmania

13/ This lane lead towards the top of the garden with its toyland orchardists house.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

14/ A lovely pond bedecks the edge of the Rose Garden

Woolmers Estate, Cottage, Longford, Tasmania

15/ Beyond the Rose Garden is Woolmers' original house. This was an earlier house, which is now being restored by the Estate.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

16/ The old Woolmers House includes a verandah and a servants annex. The open door leads to the court yard.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

17/ The old court yard of Woolmers was in the process of being refurnished with a stone court yard like it originally had. Colonial houses often included a court yard where servants could work outside, while still being surrounded by the house.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

18/ The verandah at Woolmers had an excellent view across the fields to the Macquarie River beyond.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

19/ The old Woolmers house look out over the flooded Macquarie River. The immediate fields were once part of the orchard.

 

Woolmers is English style estate just south of Longford in the Midlands of central northern Tasmania. It is just south of the Brickendon Estate. Woolmers was built between 1819 and the 1840s. For more information the telephone is 6391 2230 or contact www.woolmers.com.au

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

1/ The entrance to Woolmers is through the old Commissariat Store on the left. This was built in the 1840s. The main house, on the right. was built between 1819 and the 1840s.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

2/ These cottages at Woolmers were for the bakers and are adjacent to the Commissariat Store, which is on the right.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

3/ This 1890s windmill at Woolmers is believed to be the last of its type still working in Australia. It pumps water from the Macquarie River to the high ground for the use of the Estate's live stock.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

4/ I took this photo, because I was impressed at how peaceful, timeless and Old English the scene at Woolmers appeared to me. A smug little cottage framed by ancient trees. A good subject for a painting.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

5/ The main house of Woolmers was very large and included servants quarters and a cellar. This area under the verandah is now used as a restaurant.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

6/ It was easy to imagine the Archer men seating here and smoking their pipes as they discussed the affairs of the Colony and the British Empire.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

7/ This view allows you to appreciate how large the main Woolmers house was. It was built in stages from 1819.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

8/ The owners of Woolmers even provided their gardeners with a retreat, where they could take a break from their chores.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

9/ The coach house of Woolmers shows the proud lines of Victorian architecture from the master's side. It is just north of the garden fronting the main house.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

10/ This side shows the servants view of the same coach house. It fronts a court yard where the work was done.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

11/ The large house on the left is Tally Ho, the coach man of Woolmers cottage. It is now used as a guest house.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

12/ The coach house now houses the veteran cars of the Archer family. These are a 1913 Wolseley on the right and a 1954 Dodge on the left.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

13/ The Woolmers Estate was self sufficient, which meant that it had its own blacksmith. This was his shop.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

14/ When you look around Woolmers you see the gentle Macquarie River from many directions. Note how all the trees that you see are European species.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

15/ The cider shed on the left was used to turn the estate's apples into cider. Beyond it is the wool shed. These were important products at Woolmers.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

16/ This old grinding wheel was used to turn apples into cider. It was man powered, when it was used.

Woolmers Estate, Rose Garden, Longford, Tasmania

17/ The large building is the wool shed, where the wool of Woolmers was once processed.

 

Perth Tasmania

1/ Perth is just east of Longford. It is in the Midlands of northern central Tasmania. Perth is located on the main A1 Midland Highway to Hobart, which makes it a busy town. Perth has some interesting heritage buildings like this Baptist Tabernacle.

Perth Tasmania

2/ This is the impressive view of the front portico of the Tabernacle church at Perth.

Perth Tasmania

3/ Across the street from the Perth Tabernacle is this lovely heritage church.

Perth Tasmania

4/ A short distance beyond is another heritage church.

Perth Tasmania

5/ Finally there is a fourth church in the main street of Perth that was built in 1838. It is probably the oldest.

Perth Tasmania

6/ This is the attractive Victorian era post office of Perth. It still used today.

Perth Tasmania

7/ Robur House Antiques of Perth occupies a Georgian era shop. Note the large ancient window near the door.

Perth Tasmania

8/ Dominating the main street of Perth is the Georgian Queens Head Inn.

Perth Tasmania

9/ There are a number of attractive Georgian era houses in Perth.

Perth Tasmania

10/ This was another Georgian era house on the northern edge of Perth.

Perth Tasmania

11/ There are also many Victorian era cottages in Perth. Note how a much older building lies behind it.

Perth Tasmania

12/ On the northern edge of Perth is the War Memorial. It displays this late 19th Century, breach loader, cavalry style cannon.

Perth Tasmania

13/ Near the cannon is Perth's war memorial.

Perth Tasmania

14/ The strangest building in Perth is this windmill house.

 

Eskleigh House near Perth Tasmania

1/ Eskleigh House is a mansion just south of Perth in northern central Tasmania. Although it has been added to in recent times, it retains some of the finest wall decorations extant in Tasmania. The old residence now houses an art gallery. The rest of the property is private.

Eskleigh House near Perth Tasmania

2/ The front view of Eskleigh House in Perth shows an extravagant late Victorian style. It was the centre of a large estate. It has lost none of its original charm.

Eskleigh House near Perth Tasmania

3/ This view of the main entrance of Eskleigh House in Perth shows something of the rich decorations on the ceilings of the rooms.

Eskleigh House near Perth Tasmania

4/ Eskleigh House, Perth also has many decorative arches.

Eskleigh House near Perth Tasmania

5/ Many rooms of the Eskleigh House, Perth include ornamental hearths.

 

Illawarra near Longford Tasmania

1/ A few kilometres north west of Longford on the B52 road to Carrick is this lovely, old church. In its cemetery lies the grave of one of Australia's most famous painters Tom Roberts.

Church near Illawarra near Longford Tasmania

2/ The church at Illawarra lies on a small hill, which looks south towards the Great Western Tier Mountains. There is a plough monument behind the church.

Cemetery at Illawarra near Longford Tasmania

3/ Just north of the church is this cemetery, wherein lies the humble grave of Tom Roberts.

Shearing the rams by Tom Roberts

4/ This is one of the most famous of Tom Roberts paintings "Shearing the Rams". It was painted in 1890. Tom Roberts was a founding member of the "Heidelberg School" of Australian painters. The Heidelberg school adapted the new impressionist style of painting to reflect the vibrant colours of the Australian landscape.

headstone of Tom Roberts at Illawarra near Longford

5/ I was disappointed to find that despite the massive contribution that Tom Roberts made to Australian art, this is the humble grave that he presently lies in. His wife is in the same plot.

Illawarra near Longford Tasmania

6/ I included this collage, because the church is frankly hard to find, as no sign presently (2014) points it out. To reach it, you need to drive on the B52 road that connects Longford to Carrick. A few kilometres north of Longford look for this church and this sign on the northern side. You have to open and close a gate to drive up to the church. Remember to close the gate after you pass to prevent stock walking out onto the road.

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