Brownlow Hill Estate facts for kids

Brownlow Hill Estate is a very old property in Brownlow Hill, near Sydney, Australia. It started as a large farm and home, and it's still a working dairy farm today. The estate was designed by Alexander Macleay, who was an important government official. His son, George Macleay, began building it in 1827. Brownlow Hill is also known by other names like Lowe's Hill and Glendaruel. This special place is privately owned and is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register because of its important history and beautiful design.

A Glimpse into Brownlow Hill's Past

Early Days and Naming

In 1815, Governor Lachlan Macquarie explored the area known as the Cow Pastures. He wanted to set up farms for the government's cattle. One of these places was originally called Lowe's Hill. In 1820, Governor Macquarie renamed it Brownlow Hill. He did this to honor his friend, Lord Brownlow.

A small, unique cottage, sometimes called "the Round House," is also part of the estate. It might have been linked to the government farms set up by Governor Macquarie.

The Macleay Family's Influence

In 1827, Alexander Macleay, the Colonial Secretary of New South Wales, bought a large piece of land called Brownlow Hill. He later bought more land next to it. His sons, George and James Macleay, managed the farm from 1828. George took over fully when James left in 1837.

Fanny Macleay, Alexander's daughter, described Brownlow Hill in 1828. She loved its wild beauty, with rolling hills and rich soil. She noted the "Apple Tree" (a type of Eucalyptus) that grew there. Farming was hard work, with sheep shearing, hay making, and harvesting. Sometimes, the weather made things difficult, like long dry spells.

George Macleay made many improvements to the farm. In 1834, a visitor named Baron von Hugel called the house "charming." He was very impressed by the farm's neatness and order. George also planned a beautiful garden, adding a sundial in 1836. He was inspired by gardening books and ideas from England.

The Macleays grew many plants, including olives, vines, and fruit trees. They even tried growing Eucalypts, which was unusual for colonists at the time. The garden became a place for new and interesting plants.

Annabella Boswell, George Macleay's niece, visited in 1848. She enjoyed the botanical books in the library. She also loved a special spot called the Nymph's Grotto, a rocky area where bushrangers were once said to hide.

The Downes Family Takes Over

In 1859, George and Barbara Macleay moved back to England. Jeremiah Downes leased the property, and later bought it in 1875. The Downes family still owns and manages Brownlow Hill today, mainly as a dairy farm. This means the property has been in the same family for a very long time!

The Round House, also known as Monk's Cottage, was home to tenant dairy farmers. Later, Diana Wilson (who was part of the Downes family) and her husband lived there. They fixed up the old cottage, which had been damaged by floods. They added a bathroom and made other improvements.

John Downes, born in 1916, was a fourth-generation family member at Brownlow Hill. He was very involved in the community. He worked for the Camden Show Society and the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW. He even helped create the animal nursery at the Royal Easter Show. The Downes family has also kept rainfall records since 1882, which is a very long time!

What Brownlow Hill Looks Like

Brownlow Hill has a beautiful natural landscape. The main house is made of brick with a corrugated iron roof. Inside, it has hardwood floors and sandstone tiles. There are also old marble fireplaces.

The Gardens and Grounds

The house sits on top of a small hill, surrounded by a colonial garden. This garden is one of the best surviving examples in Australia. As you approach, you'll see a lane lined with trees. The drive to the house passes by brick stables and a pond with a stone wall.

The garden has many mature trees, including bunya pines and hoop pines. There are also various shrubs and flowers. A special feature is a large sandstone urn and the sundial, which has "George Macleay 1836" written on it.

The Aviary is another important part of the garden. It's a brick building with nesting boxes, where birds were once kept. It's a rare structure from that time.

Other Important Features

• Glendon: This is another old house from the 1800s, located on a higher hill to the north of the main house. It offers great views.
• The Round House: This unique octagonal (eight-sided) brick cottage is in the southern part of the property. It was sketched by a famous architect, W. Hardy Wilson. The garden around it has old pepper trees, wisteria, and other plants.
• The Quarry: About 100 meters south of the Round House, there's a quarry in Flaggy Creek. This quarry was a source of special stone used to build parts of Brownlow Hill and other important houses like Elizabeth Bay House. It shows how early buildings got their materials.

Today, Brownlow Hill still operates as a working farm with four dairies. The way the land is used for grazing and growing crops is very similar to how it was in the 1800s.

Condition and Changes

Brownlow Hill is in good condition, and much of its original landscape and garden design from colonial times can still be seen. It has kept its farming patterns and many old structures.

Over the years, the main house has had some changes. It was originally two separate wings, which were later joined. New sections were added, and bathrooms and a kitchen were put inside. The Round House also had repairs and additions, especially after being damaged by floods.

The gardens and surrounding areas need some care to keep them looking their best. This includes managing weeds and repairing parts of the pond wall.

Why Brownlow Hill is Special

Brownlow Hill is a rare and important colonial farming estate. It has a beautiful landscape and many old structures that are still standing. Its large size and farming methods have remained mostly unchanged since the early days.

The estate's garden is famous and shows a very detailed design from the 1830s. It was planned by the Macleay family, who were important in both government and gardening. The property has been continuously occupied by the Downes family since 1859, showing a long connection to its history.

Brownlow Hill helps us understand early farming in New South Wales. It also shows how people designed landscapes and gardens a long time ago. It's a special place that helps us learn about the past.