Sampson House, Fremantle

A must for lovers of history and a great family day out.

Courtesy National Trust

Sampson House was completed in 1888 for one of Fremantle’s most influential families.

Sir Frederick Sampson who campaigned to preserve many of Fremantle‘s heritage sites, including what is now the Fremantle Arts Centre, generously left his home and the contents of two generations to the people of WA.

Now this amazing collection, the house and the grounds are open to the public on the first Sunday of every month. This is an ideal visit for all ages with something to impress everyone.

We went on an open house day with the family and were really impressed not just with the visit, but how it retained our kids interest. The house itself was a wonderful display of architecture and opulence.

Our daughter adored the chandeliers and quaint children’s room.

It was an interesting insight on how the more affluent members of society once lived.

Each room is preserved exactly how it would have been all those years ago and volunteers scattered throughout the building offered information on what the original functions would have been for each of them.

Families are encouraged to visit and they hold events specifically for children including a Rock and Read workshop where children can dress up and celebrate the love of books and the written word.

On the day we visited there was a section set up on the verandah with crafts and a few old school games on the grass of quoits and tug of war rope.

All rooms are sectioned off with rope at the entrance so larger prams and/or wheelchairs may struggle a little especially if there are a lot of people, but you should have no trouble navigating the hallways.

Be sure to have a look at the glass panelled floor near the kitchen that gives a glimpse to the estates water source twenty metres below ground! Not for the faint hearted!

The grounds are equally impressive with a delightful flower and vegetable garden and the pieced résistance – a waterfall and bridge under a beautiful old tree.