Runnymede is an elegant colonial house situated in New Town just north of Hobart city. It is located in a lovely garden that overlooks New Town Bay on the River Derwent. It was built around 1836 for Robert Pitcairn, the first lawyer to qualify in the colony and a leading campaigner against the transportation of convicts from Britain. He named the house Cairn Lodge. When Captain Charles Bayley bought the house in 1864 he named it Runnymede after his favourite ship. The Bayley family lived in the house for the next 100 years. The National Trust has restored and furnished the house to its original elegance, and has included a rich collection of whaling and maritime material which were interests of the family. Runnymede survives with house, cottage and coach house, and an extensive garden. The garden features many historic trees and plants, including roses, fuchsias, hellebores, bulbs and fruit trees. Runnymede is open for guided tours Tuesday - Thursday, and open for general visits on Fridays and Sundays.
