Prominent among the early settlers, the Archer family developed numerous prosperous farming estates in the Launceston area. They farmed and developed their land, and built a number of grand houses which are among the finest in northern Tasmania: Woolmers Estate, Brickendon Estate (both on the Australian National Heritage List), Panshanger, Northbury, Fairfield, Cheshunt, Woodside, Palmerston and Saundridge.

Brickendon and Woolmers Estates are considered of such important historic properties, they have both been registered as World Heritage Convict Sites.

Brickendon Historic Farm and Convict Village was built by William Archer in 1824; the village is still owned by his descendents. The complex affords a rare chance to visit a genuine Georgian farming village, complete with homestead, convict-built Gothic chapel, Dutch barns, chicken house, blacksmith shop and tool shed and stay in historic farm cottages. There is also a four hectare (10 acre) historic garden for you to explore.

Brickendon is one of Tasmania���s oldest farming properties, settled in 1824 by William Archer, the farm has been continuously operated and lived on by his direct descendents, now in their 7th generation.��In July 2010, Brickendon Estate��along with its neighbouring property, Woolmers Estate were listed jointly as a World Heritage Site being part of the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property.

The stunning rural landscape, magnificent heritage gardens, amazing collection of convict constructed buildings, family history and memorabilia are all to be enjoyed by visitors and cottage guests.

If you have any connection with the early history of Australia, be it a convict ancestor, farm worker, tradesman or free settler ��� Brickendon along with Woolmers will offer you an extraordinary opportunity to discover and connect with your past.

Location:��Brickendon Historic Farm and Convict Village, 236 Wellington Street, Longford, Tasmania

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Brickendon Chapel

Part of the world heritage-listed Brickendon Farm village, Brickendon Chapel is an enchanting Victorian Picturesque Rustic Gothic building featuring steep pitched shingle roof, original stained glass windows and the mellow timbers of its huon pine pews. Built around 1856, it has a high pitched shingled gabled roof, belltower and gabled foyer. The chapel is highly decorative with many neo-gothic features including brick buttresses and decorative fascias and stained glass windows.

The Farm Village, of which the chapel is an integral part, was the hub of Brickendon, a 465 hectare grant taken up by William Archer in 1824 on land opposite his brother at Woolmers, where he developed a new and innovative farming enterprise. William developed Brickendon into a mixed farming enterprise with cropping being a major focus, using a convict workforce of up to 50 people who lived in the tiny village he created. By the 1840's Brickendon was highly regarded as one of the best farms in the colony.

The enchanting convict built gothic chapel is set amongst a private cottage garden in the Brickendon Farm village.�� With its steep pitched shingle roof, original stained glass windows and mellow timbers of the huon pine pews, the Brickendon Chapel is a popular wedding venue. ��Extensive plantings of old fashioned roses and flowering shrubs, the chapel���s surrounding gardens are enclosed by magnificent 180 year old trees, planted by William Archer of Brickendon in the 1830s.