The house was constructed with materials imported from the UK, including panelling from the original Beaudesert House.
Lady Ursula Hayward was the granddaughter of Robert Barr Smith, one of the wealthiest men in South Australia at the time.
The collection features the only significant assembly of Blake’s illustrations for Paradise Lost outside of major national institutions.
The estate remains one of the few examples of an intact 1930s Australian country house and garden collection.
The property is situated at the foot of the Adelaide Hills, offering panoramic views of the Adelaide plains.
Carrick Hill is a 1930s historic residence built in the English manor style, originally the home of Sir Edward and Lady Ursula Hayward. The site preserves an extensive collection of 20th-century British art, including works by Augustus John, Jacob Epstein, and Stanley Spencer. It functions as a house museum with original period furnishings and decor intact. The estate encompasses 26 hectares of land, featuring formal gardens and native bushland. The house was designed by architect Woods, Bagot, Jory and Laybourne-Smith. It officially opened to the public as a museum in 1986 following a donation to the people of South Australia. The grounds contain a heritage-listed arboretum and a prominent children's storybook-themed garden trail.
The upper terrace of the house looking across the formal gardens toward the Adelaide city skyline.
Walk the walking trails through the bushland if you have time, as they offer views back toward the city.
Check the official website for rotating temporary art exhibitions before arrival.
The garden area is expansive; wear comfortable walking shoes if you intend to explore the lower grounds.
Attempting to tour the interior of the house without checking if a guided tour is required, as access to certain rooms varies.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Photography is generally permitted inside the house without flash; visitors must avoid touching the furniture or artwork.
