National Trust
Historic Stables Rally

Wednesday, 8 August

Organiser:  Jeremy Morris, 9335 3040

We would like you to join the Hawkesbury Branch of the National Trust on a self-drive tour of some of the historic stables in the Hawkesbury Region. 

MEETING PLACE

We will meet at McDonalds, Windsor car park on the corner of Windsor Road and Groves Avenue McGraths Hill at 8.30 am for 9.00 am departure. Please make yourself known to Doug Werner who will be your leader for the day.

The itinerary

Our first stables to visit are at Hawkesbury Race Club at Clarendon, between Windsor and Richmond, where the first race meeting was held in 1871. Surrounded by wide open spaces with a back drop of the glorious Blue Mountains the race course has been in continuous use for over 140 years.

We leave here to drive through via Kurrajong Hills to Mistley Grange’s stables Derrig Road Tennyson.

At Mistley Grange we will see an assortment of Military saddlery used by the Australian Light Horse in the period from the Boer War, 1st World War and the 2nd World War. These stables date from 1910, while morning tea is served (tea, coffee, Anzac biscuits and Lamingtons) the Light Horses will parade with their flags and armaments.

From Mistley Grange we drive to Windsor’s St Matthews Church Rectory Stables via Richmond Lowlands. The Rectory Stables were built by William Cox in 1826 with stabling for 3 horses and the Reverend’s gig/sulky. At the end of the Stable is accommodation for the and above the stable is a loft for the storage fodder for the horses which was dropped down a hatch in the ceiling into their troughs.

Lunch will served in the Church Hall courtesy of the Ladies Auxiliary. 

After lunch we will drive down Windsor Road to Rouse Hill House and Farm to view the stables of Rouse Hill House. These stables were built in 1875-1877 with John Horbury Hunt the architect. The stable can accommodate 8 horses with a separate stable for a sick or foaling mare, grooms quarters and saddle and harness room.

The tour will conclude at Rouse Hill House between 3.30 – 4.00 pm.

Cost and booking

The cost will be $65.00 per person, this includes morning tea, lunch and entry to all venues.

Please advise if there are any dietary requirements on the attached booking form.

Restrooms are at Mistley Grange, St Matthews Church hall and Rouse Hill House and Farm.

Tour may change if circumstances change.

RSVP:          Places limited. Click here for booking form