A heritage-listed mansion steeped in romance, elegance and history, overlooking a mountain and a historic town, is for sale as a private residence.
Faversham House, said to be one of the most beautiful properties in Western Australia, is located in WA's oldest inland town, York - a picturesque area nestled in the Avon Valley 100 kilometres east of Perth, and named by early farmers for its similarities to its namesake in England.
The Monger family established Faversham House at 24 Grey Street in 1840, just nine years after the first settlers reached the Avon Valley. Originally constructed of local stone, sun-dried bricks and sheoak shingles, the residence was further developed with the assistance of convict labour from 1850.
The property was later gifted to the Australian government to assist with the war effort in 1941, and used to allow men who had been in action in the Middle East and New Guinea to recuperate. By 1945 it was being used to house refugees escaping from the war. The property changed hands again in 1961 and 1994, and was heritage-listed in 1976.
The State Heritage Council notes that Faversham House is significant for demonstrating the development of a structure over an extended period of time from humble beginnings to a grand colonial residence.
Throughout its almost 180-year lifetime, the original five-room home has developed into a mansion of almost fifty rooms, including 14 bedrooms, a spacious drawing room with a fireplace and a big dining hall.
Recent renovations have restored Georgian and Victorian features, while outside, 1.7 hectares of spectacular heritage gardens and vineyards have been landscaped to create an immaculate parkland of established gardens, mature trees, fruit trees, sweeping lawns, and even a secret garden and amphitheatre.
Faversham House has been operated as a country house wedding venue under the current owners. More than 150 couples have been married there in the past 10 years, and many corporate functions have been hosted at the venue as well. Permission has been obtained for the residence to be private, or private with income or commercial.
York, which is Western Australia's oldest inland town, was first named by the agrarian settlers due its similarity to the Yorkshire dales in England.
With a demand for agricultural land to support the growing WA colonies, first settlers reached the Avon Valley in 1831 and set about constructing huts and preparing land for stock and cultivation.
The WA goldrush some 50 years later saw the development of a railway line through York. The town became a key stopover for travellers between Coolgardie and Perth.
Today York has a population of more than 3500 and an economy based on agriculture and tourism. It boasts some of the finest historic buildings in WA, including the old courthouse and jail, and arguably the best private collection of veteran, vintage, classic and racing cars in Australia.
Faversham House is listed for $2,850,000. See more of the property at Domain.
