Thorndon Open Day - A Celebration of Writing

Kia ora koutou

This event is cancelled. It is highly likely that CoVid-19 Alert Level 2 will still be in place on 31 October. Unfortunately, Level 2 social distancing requirements are difficult to meet in our small and cosy cottage.

We look forward to seeing you next year.

As a part of Wellington Heritage Week, visit the historic Randell Cottage. This is a once-in-a-year opportunity to visit this wonderfully restored worker's cottage and its exuberant summery garden.

Come and marvel at the small rooms that once proudly housed a family of ten children. The cottage has architectural and historical significance as a representative example of a single-detached working-class dwelling built in nineteenth-century New Zealand. It was built in 1867 by William Randell, a stonemason from Dorset and extended around 1874 to meet the needs of his growing family.

In 1994 William’s great-granddaughter Beverley Randell, a writer, purchased the cottage with her husband Hugh Price and their daughter Susan. They carefully restored the cottage and a collection of household items found during the renovations is held in the collection of Te Papa Tongarewa. In 2001 the cottage was gifted to the Randell Cottage Writers Trust, which works with partner organisations to host one French writer and one New Zealand writer each year.

See how the cottage has been sympathetically preserved to retain its original style, yet updated to be a home for writers in residence from New Zealand and France.

Join the Trustees and Friends of Randell Cottage over afternoon tea and listen to a selection of readings from local writers, including curent CNZ Randell Cottage Writing Fellow Lynn Davidson.

The event is organised as part of a walking tour in collaboration with Lilburn House.

No booking is required. Afternoon tea will be served

Cost: Free entry. Visitors are encouraged to bring cash for koha and raffles.

Health & Safety:
The Cottage and garden are on a single level, but visitors are advised to take care over uneven floors and garden paving. St Mary Street itself is steep and best accessed on foot.