Some of the town’s finest gardens will be put on show next month as the Wellington Garden Group Inc hosts its annual Open Garden Day.
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Among the six gardens to be highlighted on October 22 is Keston – built of basalt stone in 1897 by Henry Nancarrow.
The rural holding of Keston was purchased in 1894 by Nancarrow from JB Montefiore when a portion of the nearby Nanima estate was subdivided. It is believed the property was named “Keston” referring to a village in Kent England, the ancestral home of Nancarrow’s wife. Keston was to become the centre of an extensive land holding including neighbouring properties, Kelvin and Narrawa.
Keston is designed in the Victorian Italianate style with a decorative façade, bracketed eaves and asymmetrical form. The front veranda has a cast iron balustrade in the lilies and daisies pattern. The exterior of the house has at some point been stuccoed and painted. Internally, the house still retains many of it’s original features with high ceilings, large double hung windows, three marble fireplaces, ornate cornice and plaster work and a cellar.
Adjoining the house and within the confines of the existing garden, also constructed of basalt stone, is a barn with an upstairs loft, a small cottage, and a three privy closet.
Significant restoration of the house has taken place over the years. In the late 1970s an extension was added to the house. Extensive renovations also occurred at this time to the interior, the stone out buildings, the garden and a swimming pool.
In the past 120 years the garden has evolved with varying designs and ideas. The Kurrajong trees lining the driveway were planted in the late 1950s, the Cacti in the rear courtyard in the 1960s. Many of the existing garden beds were created in the 1970s.
To date Keston has been the home to nine different families. For a period of time the property was also known as “Bella Vista”. A variety of mixed farming pursuits have occurred here, more recently a rose growing enterprise and café.
As the current owners of Keston, Ross and Kate Plasto consider themselves to be the custodians of this very special home. Their vision for the house is to preserve the historical aspects with consideration to contemporary living. In view of the garden their aim is to further enhance the existing landscaped surrounds to compliment the house and create a relaxed environment.
