A Little History

In the 1820s a number of more affluent citizens moved north of Hobart to build their homes. The district became known as New Town. Here, the first farms were taken up along a small rivulet and the shores of a bay, Stainforths Cove, part of the Derwent River. Later the name New Town was given to both the rivulet and bay. The natural advantages of the area are its scenery and soil, and its proximity to Hobart.

The title to "all that piece of land fringing New Town Bay, comprising 109 acres" and extending back a little beyond the present Runnymede house was granted to Captain John Bell, a master mariner and a person of means. In 1827 he bought a wharf store, shipping agencies and a house owned by Captain J.G. Briggs at New Town, which he named Belle Vue. From his name comes Bell Street and from the name of his house Bellvue Parade.

Towards the end of 1825, Robert Pitcairn was admitted to the Supreme Court, and in 1836 persuaded Bell to sell him five acres of his New Town grant, paying him 500 pounds. It must have seemed to him that the "best" people were going to live, or did live at New Town, so it would be both fashionable and most useful for him to have his home there too.

It was several years before he set about building his attractive freestone house on the brow of the hill overlooking New Town Bay, by which time his legal practice had brought him modest prosperity. No records seem to exist showing who drew the plans or built Cairn Lodge.

Pitcairn may have found it too large to keep up. The grounds, extending to the fringe of the bay, could have presented a problem in maintenance. He only lived in it until February 1850 and then sold it to Bishop Nixon.

After paying Pitcairn 1,500 pounds for the house, he renamed the property Bishopstowe and set about enlarging it; among the additions being a commodious and elegant music room.

In February 1862 Bishop Nixon left for England in ill health. He had planned to return the following year, but by then he was still sick, so resigned his charge and retired to live in Italy. Bishopstowe was sold on 23 February 1864.

The new owner, Captain Charles Bayley and his brother James were ships masters and travelled far and wide in search of whales. Charles purchased the house for 2,300 pounds and renamed it Runnymede, after his favourite ship : a barque, 285 tons built in 1849 by John Watson. In association with James, Charles used her in the lucrative whaling trade.

Other ships in the Bayley fleet included Wallaby, Fortitude, Flying Childers and Helen, and main cargoes were whalebone and oil, although occasionally trips further abroad were made to places such as London and Mauritius.

Following the death of Charles in 1875, Runnymede was bequeathed to his brother James. When he died in 1894 his only child Harriet inherited the property, and her children Hally and Emma lived in Runnymede for years, letting part of the house when it became too large for them.

Dr C. Craig describes the conclusion of this story :

"In May 1962, a public meeting was held in Hobart. This was addressed by Dr E. Graeme Robertson of Melbourne and was attended by members from all parts of the State. It was decided to form a division of the Trust in the south.

Soon after this it was further decided to establish a National Trust house in the south on the same lines as Franklin House which had been established in the north. Most fortunately a most suitable house was available. This was Runnymede. The family had for many years been most anxious that the old house should in some way be preserved for the State.

The trust, therefore, entered into negotiations with the then owners, the Misses Hally and Emma Bayley. As soon as these negotiations were satisfactorily concluded the Trust approached the Government.

The Premier, who had taken a keen interest in the establishment of the Trust, had appointed the deputy Premier as minister in charge of the Trust. It was decided that the Government would purchase Runnymede and would lease it to the Trust for 90 years at nominal rental. The lease was granted on 25 June 1965."

The Garden

Since the National Trust acquired Runnymede in 1965 the Garden has been maintained by a group of volunteers including Miss Emma Bayley, who have kept it in a manner befitting the age and style of the house.

The Entrance Hall

The entrance hall at Runnymede is designed to modestly impress. The doors to the dining room and drawing room, opposite each other, are in terms of 19th century design, perfectly positioned and balanced. Between these two doors and the wide arch are two niches. These were originally built to display statues but now contain an impressive pair of Chinese vases. Relics of the barque Runnymede are displayed in the entrance hall. The woodwork in the front hall and throughout the house is New South Wales cedar.

The Drawing Room

One of the highlights of the Drawing room is the ebony and marble Florentine cabinet dating from 1700, and the decorative Parisian perfume oil fountain on top.

The Dining Room

The most unusual piece in this room is the locally made dining table. It belonged to Bishop Nixon who had it specially made for him. The oval extension system is particularly unusual. The wallpaper is thought to definitely date to Bishop Nixon's time and may even be Pitcairn's wallpaper. Other items of interest include a papier mache tray, a regency sideboard and two cruets which belonged to Sir John Franklin, Lieut.Governor of Van Diemens Land 1837 - 1843.

The Morning Room

This room was used originally as a bedroom before becoming the Morning room, suitable for the ladies of the house who wished to entertain friends, read, sew or just relax.

The Bayley Room

This room was once thought to be a bedroom but today serves to commemorate the family who owned the house for so long. On the walls hang paintings of some of the Bayley ships as well as photographs of Captain and Mrs James Bayley and Miss Emma Bayley. Some excellent examples of scrimshaw (the decorative art of seafarers in the 19th century) done by James Bayley can also be seen.

The Music Room

The music room was added to the house by Bishop Nixon in the 1850s and once accommodated a pipe organ. The said organ now resides in St Andrew's Church, Campbell Town. The piano was made in 1822 by a London firm. The brass ventilator in front of the hearth resembles one used on a sailing ship, and it is possible that one of the Bayleys installed it. See if you can spot the hand painted part of elaborate frieze which is the main decorative feature of the room.

The Pitcairn Room

This room commemorates the early colonial lawyer Robert Pitcairn and features a splendid colonial writing desk made from Australian cedar at Port Arthur.

The Main Bedroom

The main bedroom has an elaborate moulded cornice and an imported marble mantelpiece. The half tester bed is the main item in the room.

Other Rooms

Other rooms that may be inspected are the Nursery, with its very interesting toy collection, the Kitchen, The Scullery with its stone sink and Huon Pine draining board, the Courtyard and the Coach House.

Runnymede is open daily from 10am to 4.30pm and closed on Christmas Day, Good Friday and for the month of July.

For further information contact :

National Trust of Australia (Tasmania)

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