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Ripponlea

Ripponlea

Welcome to Rippon Lea House & Gardens

We are pleased to announce that restoration work has begun on the roof at Rippon Lea. These works, which began in April will continue through until September 2013. Please be aware that these works may impact access to some areas of the property. House tours and majority of the gardens are open as usual to the public.


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Experience the wonders of Rippon Lea House & Gardens today.

Located only 20 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD, you will find the last of Australia’s grand suburban estates – with a pleasure garden of 5.7 hectares (14 acres) of sweeping lawns, magnificent trees, a tranquil lake, the Southern Hemisphere's largest fernery, and an orchard with over one hundred varieties of heritage apples and pears.

Come and spend an afternoon meandering through the mansion, relaxing with a book on the lawns, climbing the lookout tower, playing croquet on the Nursery lawn or enjoying a coffee in the Gate House.

Explore the mansion and all its rooms in 3 dimensions by clicking the arrows in the image above. 3D interactive photography courtesy of Barney Meyer.

Opening hours:

Please be aware that Rippon Lea has now reverted to Winter Trading and will be open Thursday - Sunday from 10am until 4pm with the last house tour leaving at 2pm and the last entry to the gardens at 3:30pm.

Please click here for more information.

If you have any questions regarding group bookings please don’t hesitate to call us on 9523 6095 or send us an email at rippon.lea@nattrust.com.au

Things to Do:

The Rippon Lea Children's Sculpture Garden Appeal

  

We are planning a children's garden within the existing heritage gardens to provide a fun and engaging playspace that uses the original gardens.

Find out more about our exciting plans to develop a new sculpture garden. more..

     

Are you interested in Volunteering at Rippon Lea?

We are keen to meet dynamic, positive people who are interested in heritage or tourism and interacting with our visitors. Volunteers at Rippon Lea conduct tours of the mansion, help maintain the gardens, assist in our Gatehouse with admissions or help out on special event days. Does one or more of these areas sound like you? A high focus on customer service and great communication skills are an important part of the Rippon Lea experience! If you would like to find out more about volunteering for Rippon Lea or the National Trust of Australia (Vic), please click here.

More Experiences

Go to our What's On section for all the latest activities.

Meet Ripplea the Bear and find out all about his adventures right here!

Go to our Weddings and Corporate events section for details on how you can enjoy your special event at Rippon Lea.

We have an excellent Education program for schools and groups including tours and day programs. Follow the link to download resources. For education bookings only phone: (03) 8663 7261.

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What's On

   

ABC Storytelling Exhibition

 

17th - 30th June

 

Costumes play an integral part of storytelling on Screen. The ABC has produced and presented some of the best television on Australian screens and this exhibition offers a rare opportunity to view some of the costumes that help transport us into the those filmic worlds.

The exhibition runs every day from the 17th - 30th of June with tours at the following times:

10.30am - 11.30am
12.00pm - 1.00pm
1.30pm - 2.30pm
3.00pm - 3.30pm
Bookings not required.

Prices:
$15 Adult
$12 Concession
$9 Child
$35 Family (2 Adults and 2 children)
National Trust Members FREE.

 
   
Section 1

History

"I think we were a fairly ordinary family maybe in an extraordinary house."

Benjamin Jones, Oral History Interview, 31 January 1997.

Rippon Lea was a cherished family home to two families who collectively spent nearly 100 years living on the estate.

The Sargood family who owned a clothing and drapery firm in Melbourne, made their fortune selling softgoods during the Gold Rush. During the 1870s Frederick Sargood was elected to the Legislative Council, and later became Victoria’s first Minister for Defence.

The Sargood children had a privileged childhood riding ponies, tending their dovecote and growing vegetables.

"What games we used to have – chasing each other up and down the long passage, from the front door, to … the dining room, and round the table, at which Father would be sitting writing, looking at us over his glasses, with a twinkle in his eyes – no objection to any happy noise, so long as we did “not shake the table”."

Memoirs of Clara Webster, p.3.

Sargood was knighted in 1890 and when he died in 1903, Lady Sargood sold the property to the Premier of Victoria, Sir Thomas Bent.

Rippon Lea’s next owner, Benjamin Nathan moved into Rippon Lea with his family in 1910. His daughter, Mrs Louisa Jones inherited the property in 1935.

Louisa and her family loved entertaining and Rippon Lea, after its redecoration in 1938, became the scene of lavish balls, parties, family weddings, and musical performances.

During the 1960s and early 1970s Louisa, with her children’s support, fought a compulsory acquisition order to give four acres of Rippon Lea’s pleasure grounds to the adjoining Australian Broadcasting Commission. The fight was won and upon her death in 1972, Rippon Lea passed to the care of the National Trust.

Section 1

The Mansion


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Explore the mansion and all its rooms in 3 dimensions by clicking the arrows in the image. 3D interactive photography courtesy of Barney Meyer.

The Mansion

Designed by architects Reed and Barnes in 1868 in the Lombardic Romanesque style , Rippon Lea joins a list of well known public buildings commissioned from this respected Melbourne firm.

While the house evolved to accommodate Frederick and Marian Sargood’s growing family, it also reflected the family’s financial and political success.

In late nineteenth century, Sargood and his second wife Julia began updating the estate – the house was extended and the interiors re-decorated. A porte cochére was installed to create a commanding entrance and provide shelter to guests arriving in their carriages.

Ornamental stained glass, elaborate embossed wallpapers and ceiling papers contributed to the refurbishment. Two conservatories were added to building – these could be accessed from the interior rooms and brought the garden and Sargood’s passion for orchids, indoors. Much of Rippon Lea’s architectural decoration consists of garden motifs, possibly chosen because Sargood’s love of the garden.

As Sargood ensured that the estate was equipped with the most advanced technology, the house was one of the first in Melbourne to install electricity. The basement kitchens, plumbing and bathroom facilities were updated. The suite of servants rooms in the extended kitchens have survived to this day in their 1880s configuration.

The mansion was ‘modernised’ in the early twentieth century by its last owner Mrs. Louisa Jones, who incorporating many of the nineteenth century features, updated and ‘jazzed up’ the house in 1938.

Incorporating the latest interior design fashions from Europe, in particular the work of Syrie Maugham, a neo-baroque scheme – known as the Hollywood style - was chosen to grace the interiors.

The addition of a new swimming pool and ballroom allowed Louisa and her husband Timothy, to throw extravagant parties.

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The Garden

The Children's Sculpture Garden Appeal

We are developing a plan for a new Children's Garden at Rippon Lea with contemporary play space designer and sculptor Benjamin Gilbert. We need your support to help us achieve this vision for a special play space incorporating plants, sculpture, moveable structures and spaces only kids can visit.

Rippon Lea's Garden Tour and History


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Explore the garden in 3 dimensions by clicking the arrows in the image. 3D interactive photography courtesy of Barney Meyer.

"…the garden had been terribly dried up and rain at last has (sic.) come. Father immediately donned his rain-coat, bowler hat and gumboots, hurried into the garden, and we would watch him from inside, standing enjoying the rain, rejoicing with the plants as he could almost see them grow."

Memoirs of Frederick Sargood’s daughter, Clara Webster.

Originally developed in 1868 in the Gardenesque style with geometric beds and paths, the garden was re-designed for the Sargood family by William Sangster in 1882. The Picturesque garden layout, with its irregular design and rustic devices such as the lake bridges, asks the viewer to see the garden vistas as a picture. This Romantic notion, part of the Picturesque aesthetic, encourages the visitor to use associations and ideas when viewing the garden.

For more information regarding plant sales at Rippon Lea, please call 03 9523 6095.

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Weddings and Corporate Events

Rippon Lea House & Gardens is available for wedding ceremonies of all sizes; intimate ceremonies through to much grander events for more than 200 people. There are a variety of remarkable locations in our gardens that you can choose for your special day, each offering you a unique and romantic setting.

Rippon Lea also offers a remarkable backdrop for a variety of functions:

  • wedding ceremonies
  • receptions
  • corporate gala dinners
  • private birthday parties
  • corporate family fun day
  • photography
  • garden parties

Please contact Jo Beshara

Functions Business Development Manager,

email: jo.beshara@nattrust.com.au

ph: 9656 9815

Section 1

Groups & Garden Functions

With over 14 acres of pleasure gardens, Rippon Lea House & Gardens is the perfect venue for your next function. Please contact us to discuss the requirements for your picnic, garden birthday party, family gathering or Christmas break-up.

Rippon Lea offers house and garden tours for groups. For groups of ten or more we can also organise lunch or morning/afternoon tea for you to enjoy in the gardens. We have special discounted entry rates for groups, including probus groups, garden groups and community groups wanting to visit and tour the estate.

Please contact Candice Bennett on 9523 6095 or via email candice.bennett@nattrust.com.au to discuss your next function or group visit.

Section 1

Significance

In August 2006, Rippon Lea became the 33rd site to be included on the prestigious National Heritage List. The listing was announced by the then Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell.

Rippon Lea is important as a surviving example of a large intact late nineteenth century private suburban estate consisting of an urban mansion, large garden and outbuildings.

The house is an outstanding example of the Victorian Italianate style, which was a popular expression in Victoria's gold boom period. Rippon Lea is one of the finest polychrome buildings in Victoria and established a fashion.

The extensive garden, originally in the Gardenesque style by the owner Sargood was later redeveloped by him in a more naturalistic style. The estate is intact and has not been significantly reduced by subdivision. The watering system at Rippon Lea is one of the earliest, most complex and relatively intact examples of nineteenth century underground engineering works found in Australia to maintain a private garden.

Rippon Lea has a strong association with the National Trust community which has undertaken major conservation works and re-established historic cultivars in the garden. It is important for its association with the Melbourne community and has been publicly accessible for over 30 years. It has been selected as a setting for films and documentaries because of the high degree of integrity of the historic buildings and garden

The National Heritage List records the natural, Indigenous and historic places with outstanding heritage value to our nation.

The Australian Heritage Council assesses places against a number of criteria for inclusion in the List. Once listed, places are protected as a matter of national environmental significance under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Rippon Lea joins other important places in the List, such as the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, the Port Arthur convict site in Tasmania and Kurnell Peninsula in Botany Bay where Captain Cook first landed on Australian soil.

Read more about Rippon Lea's place details.

Section 1

Current Appeals

Buy your own little piece of Rippon Lea for $10

  

Be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity and help us fund the restoration of the Rippon Lea roof by purchasing your own signed roof tile.

Simply donate $10 to our Roof Restoration Appeal and a tile from the project will be signed and dated with your name cementing your place in Rippon Lea’s history.

Please go to our donation website.

Your contribution will be part of a bigger plan to complete vital and essential restoration work to Rippon Lea's roof.

This includes replacing tiles and restoring the roof following an architectural conservation management plan to secure the protection of the property for a lifetime.

It is only through your commitment and generosity that we can preserve Rippon Lea for future generations.

     
     
Info Page 1

Ripplea Bear

Ripplea Bear has lived at Rippon Lea House & Gardens for over 140 years – Clara Sargood and all her brothers and sisters were his first friends.

They used to play hopscotch in the Fernery, row boats around the lake and cuddle in front of the fire. Today, Ripplea still loves to play around the Estate – as you can see from all the photos of his adventures!

All proceeds from the sale of Ripplea Bear go towards the preservation of Rippon Lea.

 

 
 
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Planning your visit

Rippon Lea House & Gardens is located approximately 7kms from Melbourne’s CBD, in the bayside suburb of Elsternwick.

The property address is 192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick.

Rippon Lea's Opening Hours:.

Rippon Lea has now reverted to Winter Trading will be open Thursday - Sunday from 10am until 4pm with the last house tour leaving at 2.30pm and the last entry to the gardens at 3:30pm

Access to the house is by guided tour only. The last house tour usually departs at 2.30pm. Bookings are essential for groups, functions, photography and filming.

Admission Prices:

House & Garden - Adult: $15, Concession: $12, Child (15 years & under): $9, Family (2 adults + up to 2 children): $35.

Garden Only - Adult: $10, Concession: $7, Child (15 years & under): $4, Family (2 adults + up to 2 children): $20.00.

For groups of more than twelve people please contact us to make a booking on (03) 9523 6095

Entry for National Trust members is free. To enquire about membership, visit www.nattrust.com.au

Facilities:

When planning your visit, Rippon Lea offers the following facilities and features: Guided tours, Nature walks, Gardens of special interest, Gift and coffee shop, Picnic areas, Functions & Education services, Wedding receptions, Ceremonies and photo locations, Activities suitable for less active visitors.

Getting There:

The property can be easily accessed by train with a 5 minute walk from Rippon Lea Station.

Catch Tram Route 67, Stop 42 Tram Tracker ID 2042, (to Carnegie) - Tracker Stop ID 1042, (to Melbourne University) tramTRACKER: For real-time tram information visit: yarratrams.com.au

The 216 or 219 Bus departs from Queen Street in the City on the south east corner of Queen and Collins Streets. Depending on traffic the journey takes 30 - 45 minutes. There is a stop directly outside Rippon Lea Estate. Ask the driver to set you down at the first stop after Glen Eira Road.

Alternatively parking is available locally should you wish to drive (Mel ref 67 F2).

To download a map or get directions to Rippon Lea House & Gardens, visit www.whereis.com.au

Access to the house is by guided tour only. Tour groups are limited to a maximum of 15 people. For groups and bus tours, please contact the property to book a tour.

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Latest News

Childrens imaginations bloom through Rippon Lea Gardens

There’s nothing more magical than watching a child delight in play, exploring unknown territories and letting their imagination soar.
This year the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) is calling on Melburnians to assist in developing a dedicated children’s space within the Rippon Lea gardens that lets kids and families enjoy nature firsthand.
Rippon Lea House and Gardens aim to raise $100,000 in total to develop a children’s space within the Rippon Lea gardens, dedicated entirely to providing children a magical place to interact with nature.
Martin Purslow, CEO of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), says the children’s garden will provide kids of all ages a safe and welcoming environment where they can enjoy the outdoors and get back to basics.
“These days children have less and less chance to play outdoors and explore the natural world, and we increasingly see kids spending all day inside on computers or TVs,” Martin says.
“By donating or volunteering to the Rippon Lea Children’s Garden, local kids will enjoy a dedicated area to connect with the wonderful world of nature”.
Every donation counts: $10 will buy seeds for a children’s vegie patch, $50 will assist in creating the vegie patch, $500 goes towards landscaping materials for the area and $1000 buys an interactive play element for children to enjoy.
Every donation above $50 will be offered one free adult pass to Old Melbourne Gaol, Polly Woodside or Rippon Lea House and Garden. Donations over $100 receive a free family pass to these attractions and donations over $250 receive a free family National Trust membership as a small token of thanks for your support.
Local residents with experience in gardening, building, plumbing, woodworking and metal fabrication are also invited to volunteer their time and contribute to making this unique children’s experience a reality.

To make a donation visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.au/vic/appeals-donations or call 8663 7260.

To volunteer call Rippon Lea House and Gardens on 9523 6095.

Cement your place in history as Rippon Lea raises the roof

Leave your mark in history, literally, as you help preserve the iconic Rippon Lea House and Gardens through The National Trust of Australia (Victoria)’s Roof Restoration Appeal.
This year, National Trust of Australia (Victoria) is calling for donations to assist in undertaking urgent repairs to the roof of the Rippon Lea Mansion to fix drainage problems and preserve the Mansion’s historic beauty.
These necessary upgrades will also ensure that sustainable water harvesting measures and solar solutions are implemented within the Mansion and around the grounds, ensuring the future of the popular local icon.
Residents are invited to be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity by purchasing a tile to be used in the roof restoration project.
By donating $10, a tile will be signed and dated with the donor’s name and placed on the new roof, ensuring each individual contribution is remembered throughout Rippon Lea’s history.
The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) aims to raise $72,000 in donations for the Roof Restoration Appeal, which will be contributed to the total $800,000 needed for the repairs. The St Andrews Endowment Fund will contribute the remaining funds.
Martin Purslow, CEO of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), says the donations will ensure the Rippon Lea Estate can be enjoyed by locals for many years to come.
“Purchasing a tile not only contributes to the physical restoration of the roof, but also offers residents a unique chance to leave their own special mark on the Estate and immerse themselves in the historic tales of the Rippon Lea Mansion,” Martin says.

Donate now by visiting www.nationaltrust.org.au/vic/appeals-donations or call 8663 7260.

 
 
 
 
 
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