About
Runnymede is a beautifully preserved 19th-century Regency marine villa and historic house museum located at 61 Bay Road, New Town, approximately eight to fifteen minutes by car from the Hobart CBD. Owned and managed by the National Trust Tasmania since 1965, the property represents Tasmania's golden age and is available for private events, including weddings.
Key features and details include: - The house was built c.1836-1840 for lawyer Robert Pitcairn, extended by Bishop Francis Russell Nixon between 1850 and 1862, and later owned for over a century by the family of whaling captain Charles Bayley.
- The estate comprises a main house, cottage, 1840s stables, coach house, and extensive 19th-century Gardenesque landscapes.
- Garden features include a gravel carriage drive, ornamental and productive gardens, formal lawns, a cast iron fountain, and historic plantings such as a large Norfolk Island pine and a New Zealand karaka.
- Interior spaces include a large drawing room where Devonshire Tea can be served.
- The venue hosts a variety of events such as living history theatre, corporate cocktail functions, antique fairs, plant sales, and high teas.
- On-site amenities and certifications include a carpark, public toilets, picnic area, interpretive centre, and Sustainable Tourism Accreditation.
- Accessibility is generally by guided tour, with bookings strongly recommended.