Image from HHT website
Vaucluse House was built over a period between 1805 and the 1860s by William Charles Wentworth and his wife Sarah. Though financially they were quite well off, they were shunned socially, as not only were they both 'illegitimate' children, but they also had two children together before they married. Charles Wentworth was involved in a number of firsts for NSW, including the first European crossing of the Blue Mountains, establishing Sydney University as the first university in Australia, and he was also involved in establishing the colony's first independent newspaper. These days the house is managed by the Historic Houses Trust and is open for the public to check out (click here for more info). If you do visit, I can highly recommend the fresh scones from the Teahouse!
The Trust have set up the house to appear as if the family had just left the day before, kind of like a time capsule. The kitchen garden is no different, and is planted with the same varieties that would have been grown for the family. One interesting thing is the inclusion of pineapple - you have to remember that back in those days fresh fruit was nowhere as readily available as it is today, so exotic fruit like pineapple was virtually unheard of in England and would have made an exciting addition to their garden.
This is the view of the picturesque kitchen garden from the house.
And the view from the garden back to the house.
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