History
Burnham Grove Estate stands roughly halfway between Camden and Cawdor. Frederick Doust purchased approximately 80 acres of land from the Macarthur family sometime prior to the 1850s. In the 1850s the original house and stables were built for Doust and his new wife Elizabeth. The design was almost identical to her family’s house at Mount Hercules, which also still stands.
At some point in the late 1880s the original house was demolished and the current house built to the north-east. Over the years numerous structures and sections were built to accommodate the activities of various generations of the family. A cottage, in-ground brick water tank, additional stables, poultry sheds, an orchard and several additional gardens both practical and ornamental were built. Sadly the only significant evidence of this today is some remnant hedging, the tank, and the somewhat dilapidated original stables. The latter can be seen looking to the west of the cache.
The newer stables behind the house burnt down in 2015, unfortunately whilst being used to store many heritage fittings and furnishings from the house that was undergoing restoration. Thankfully the main gardens to the north, south and east of the property have been maintained, although sections have been modernised. Burnham Grove is also unusual for its age in having an outdoor double toilet, which does still stand.
Doust died in 1900, his wife in 1936, and the property passed to their daughter and her husband, Bertha and Raymond Wheeler. From around this time the house became known as ‘the Wheeler house’. The property was the site of a dairying operation supplying milk to locals of the surrounding area. The family also kept horses, one of which was featured in the 1947 film Bush Christmas.
In 1974, following the death of Bertha Wheeler, the property was sold (apart from some sections had previously been subdivided to the Wheelers’ children) to cover death duties. The house and gardens underwent restorations in the 1980s, 1990s and 2010s. Since the 1990s it has been used as a function centre, with a catering building added in the 1990s and a permanent marquee in the 2010s. As such, it is periodically opened for public viewing to encourage bookings, and this would be a good opportunity for anyone wishing to observe the house and gardens.
Personal Notes
This spot has particular significance for me as my wedding reception was held here a few months ago. My best man made a gift to us of cache containers with an important message in place of logs, and this cache is in the same kind of container.
I'd also like to thank The Booos for allowing me to use their 'Historic Home' series title. Those interested in the history of this area should check out The Booos' caches, many of which centre on historic buildings both gone and still standing. Those interested in Burnham Grove should read this personal recollection of the estate hosted by the Camden Historical Society.
*** FTF congratulations to gotcha16 ***
Edit, 2018-01-03: having been muggled twice within a year, I've decided reluctantly to move this down the road a bit. The Estate is still easily seen from the new hiding place, and hopefully I won't lose any more logs for this cache.