Favourite bits.
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The story of the estate. São Lourenço do Barrocal has been in the same family for more than 200 years, and it was José António Uva (who is eight generation of the same family) who had a vision to turn the family property into a farm retreat he could share with others. The passion and dedication behind José António’s dream, and what he has created, is incredibly inspiring.
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The interiors. Perfectly simple and calming. The interior design was led by José António’s wife Ana’s design studio, AnahoryAlmeida (also responsible for the interiors of many of Lisbon’s finest restaurants) and it is a dream.
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Hortelão, their outdoor restaurant. The most beautiful place to dine between Spring through Autumn, this slow-food, farm to fork restaurant is located next to the pool, right by the organic kitchen garden, and is the perfect place to enjoy a dinner under the stars.
The Granary
Richmond Hill
THE GRANARY RICHMOND HILL
CRESSY, TASMANIA • COUNTRY ESCAPE
Perched on a hill in the idyllic Tasmanian countryside, this former Granary in Tasmania's Cressy (35 km south-west of Launceston) has been lovingly restored into a fairytale-esque, 3-bedroom country escape, full of character and warmth.
Bathed in natural light, this magnificent home offers a peaceful retreat with spectacular views of the nearby mountains and Macquarie River.
The feeling here is one of luxury.
Sleeping up to 6 people (in 2 x queen rooms and 1 x twin room), all beds are made up with luxurious linens. There are 2 large bathrooms, both of which have underfloor heating to keep your feet nice and warm; and a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities - should you wish to stay awhile.
The jewel in The Granary’s crown though is its open-plan living area beneath a frame of Tasmanian oak beams (that were once used to hold up shearing equipment) which perfectly pairs together the classic aspects of the building against the warm contemporary finishes that now fill the space.
Located just 25 minutes from Launceston Airport on the outskirts of the township of Cressy, The Granary is in the ideal location to explore all that the north of Tasmania has to offer.
Why I love it
Aside from the absolutely stunning location and the luxuriousness of The Granary homestead itself (read: super comfortable beds and luxe furnishings), it is the gardens I love at The Granary. The main homestead is set 150m from The Granary overlooking the beautiful Macquarie River.
With majestic oak trees as its backdrop, the Richmond Hill Garden has been thoughtfully restored to become a delightful sanctuary for those who visit. This is the perfect place to take a book and relax. There is an abundance of box hedging, and a gentle mix of formal and cottage gardens with an emphasis on herbaceous borders. Regardless of the season, the Richmond Hill Garden always has something to offer, and if you are especially a garden lover, Spring is undoubtedly the best time of year to visit.
A complimentary tour of the main homestead garden is available to all guests.
About the owners
The story of The Granary began when owners Fiona and Nick made a spontaneous decision 14 years ago to leave Sydney for the wide-open spaces of Tasmania. Growing up in Tasmania on a grazing property not too far away, the pull to move back became much stronger for Fiona when two of their four children were born. Fiona's husband Nick, who also grew up on a farming property in Moree, NSW was completely on board when the opportunity to make the tree change came up. They wanted to give their children a similar country childhood that they were both so fortunate to have.
A few years ago, Fiona and Nick decided to open The Granary so that others could experience the secluded beauty and charm they live every day.
In Fiona's words...
"There is something about Richmond Hill that is so special. Never does a day go by that we don’t feel grateful for living in such a beautiful part of the world."
What to do nearby
Woolmers Estate
(15 min drive)
Blenheim Gallery and Garden
(2 min drive)
Liffey Falls
(45 min drive)
What to bring
Sweater
Sweatpants
