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Lenah Valley castle takes on new life as ECEC service
Freya Lucas
Aug 30, 2024
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A castle which has long captured the imagination of residents of Lenah Valley and New Town in Hobart, Tasmania, will take on a new life as an early childhood education and care (ECEC) service.
Built alongside a small stream, the red brick and turreted castle sits in a valley against the backdrop of kunanyi/Mt Wellington, and features a single lane bridge to allow access to the building, which once had a drawbridge for a front door.The building is now somewhat run down, overgrown with vines, and with some damage, however the former restaurant and function venue will soon be full of life again, this time as an ECEC service.
When the castle was first put together in the late 1970s it was the work of Bill Midson who wanted a place for his wife Pat to showcase her dolls.
Pat Midson, the ABC shared, was Tasmania’s first porcelain dollmaker, and her work was internationally recognised.
At the time of construction, the Midson’s hoped that Storybook Castle would become a successful tourist attraction - something which daughter Jennifer Lee said “proved difficult.”
In its next life, the castle was sold to the Paton family, who spent two years renovating it, and its grounds, in the late 1980s, turning the space into a restaurant which was known as Brookfield Castle.
Don Paton had a ‘luxe’ vision for the castle, spending $450 on each of the 140 chairs to cover them in imported Italian velvet.
"We had a great time, it cost a fortune to open it,” he recalled, sharing the many good memories his family had of running the castle.
When the Paton’s reached their early 60s they gave up their hospitality business as it became too much work.
The castle was briefly a Spanish restaurant, and also a medieval-themed Chinese restaurant called Castle Zayee, however in its next chapter, the halls will ring with the sounds of happy children.
Discovery Early Learning Centres purchased the castle in 2023 and is undertaking works to make the building fit for purpose, with CEO Jo Walsh saying the quirky and unique building and its surrounding natural beauty is “a good fit” for an ECEC business.
"It's such a beautiful natural location with the creek going past," she said. "There's something magical about it."
Ms Walsh hopes the service will be ready to open in late 2025.
To read the original coverage of this story please see here.
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