Bedervale
Location: Monkitee Street, Braidwood, NSW 2622
Constructed: 1836 - 1842
|
You can be assured that you are getting the best service when you stay at the grand homestead of Bedervale. Your host Margaret Royds was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her services to Braidwood and tourism.
There are two alternatives when selecting your accommodation at Bedervale. You can stay in the historic homestead and have breakfast provided or cooked for you. These rooms are fitted with classically detailed cedar joinery and a fine collection of furniture, general household utensils and books. Or you can stay in the more secluded Yellow Cottage, available on a self-catering basis.
A tour of this charming and elegant homestead dating from the 1840s includes the out buildings, complete with two storey stables. The buildings are positioned around a central courtyard in a beautiful garden setting. Roger and Margaret Royd are informative guides, having renovated the property.
Tours are by booking only.
|
Physical Description
Bedervale is a large single storey, Georgian house, built of brick stuccoed and lined to simulate stone. Roman Doric columns support a pedimented entablature over an opening flanked by arched semi-circular recesses. The original shingled roof, which is still in place, was built in four continuous pitches. An extra roof of iron was added to improve drainage. The joinery is of polished cedar, the floors are timber and the timber verandah is columned. The verandah floor is flagged. Two flanking wings and a two storey stable block form an enclosed courtyard. The stables comprise horse stalls, saddle room, grain room and coach house with loft above. (National Trust 1971) |
Modifications
1830s - wings built to allow occupation of the site during the construction of the residence proper.
1836 - John Verge designs Bedervale.
1842 - Construction completed.
1888 - original timber shingles covered with iron and a second higher roof added over the central valley for drainage and chimneys extended to balance.
1905 - bay windows added on left of the house. Water and gas connected to house.
1975 - furniture and furnishings purchased by National Trust of Australia (NSW) under a National Estate Grant to ensure their retention in their original setting.
1980s - restoration works |
Condition
Physical condition is good. |
History
Captain John Coghill built Bedervale for his family as a country cottage. He was born at Wick in Scotland in 1785. He became Captain of the transport 'Martha' in 1814, but his best known ship was the 'Mangles' of which he was part owner. In 1826 Coghill sold the 'Mangles' to Captain Carr. Coghill retired to manage 'Kirkham' the property he was in partnership with John Oxley at Camden.
Captain Coghill possessed a grant at Berrima which he had been given in 1822. In 1826 he selected 'Bedervale' a 5,600 acre tract of land in the County of Argyle on which he was running 300 head of cattle by 1828 and in 1833 a mob of sheep. He paid 1,400 pounds (about 55 cents per acre). The house was designed by John Verge in 1836 at which time the building was commenced and was completed before 1842 (design cost 16 pounds).
Coghill became a member of the Legislative Council representing Argyle between 1843 and 1845. With his wife and two daughters he returned to England where they stayed for several years. In 1845 Coghill resigned his seat in the Legislative Council to travel abroad. The family spent four years abroad, much of this time on the Continent, where Elizabeth, his second daughter, met Robert Maddrell and they were married in London in 1849. They first met at Heidelburg University, where Robert, who came from the Isle of Man, was studying medicine. They all returned to Australia in 1849, where during their absence, David Coghill (John Coghill's only son) had died at the early age of 31 in 1847.
Robert Arthur Coghill Maddrell sold Bedervale of Braidwood to the Royds family during Easter of 1973. The terms of the sale included the homestead and the surrounding property/livestock. The terms excluded the contents of the house at that point, the Royds family did agree to puchase the contents of the homestead within the following two years. This arrangment was not executed by the Royds due to financial constraints. As a consequence, Robert A. C. Maddrell then arranged for the contents to be purchased by the National Trust of Australia, in order to maintain this invaluable collection of Australia's earliest beginnings. Due to the actions of Robert Maddrell, the National Trust were bestowed custodianship therefore ensuring the collection would perpetually remain the property of the Australian public and in its rightful location at Bedervale. (Richard C Maddrell by email 13 June 09)
After two years Mr TR Royds arranged for a National Estate Grant to purchase the furniture collection, and nominated the National Trust of Australia (NSW) as owners.
During the 1980s with the assistance from Heritage Assistance program funding, Bedervale was restored.
|
Internet links
| Webpage |
Source |
|
Bedervale Historic Homestead |
|
National Trust |
|
Tourism NSW |
|
Tourism NSW |
|
|
Data
| Name of Item: |
Bedervale |
| Type of Item: |
Built |
| Collection: |
Residential buildings (private) |
| Category: |
House |
| Location: |
Monkitee Street, Braidwood,
NSW 2622 |
| Local Govt: |
Palerang |
|
| Designer: |
John Verge |
| Builder: |
John Coghill |
| Constructed: |
1836 - 1842 |
| Current Use: |
Residence, Tours, Bed & Breakfast, Self-Contained Accommodation |
| Former Use: |
Residence |
|
|
