For more than a century, Martindale Hall has stood as a symbol of elegance, generosity, and the art of gracious hospitality.
The two great families who once called Martindale home — the Bowmans and the Mortlocks — were renowned for their warmth and sociable spirit. When Edmund Bowman built Martindale Hall, it was never intended as a retreat from the world, but as a grand country estate to visit and enjoy — if you were lucky enough to receive an invitation.
In its heyday, the 9,000-acre estate was a lively playground of English pursuits: a polo field, boating lake, cricket pitch, and even a horseracing track. Guests from Adelaide would arrive by train to the Merildin station in Mintaro, where Bowman’s carriages awaited to whisk them to the Hall. There, days were spent in spirited games of polo or hunts through the countryside, and evenings were devoted to fine dining, music, and the easy laughter of good company.
When the Mortlock family took stewardship of Martindale Hall, that spirit of hospitality continued. Their guest book tells stories of endless house parties, luncheons, and dinners; each one marked by generosity and charm. In later years, the Mortlocks opened the estate’s lawns to the community, where locals would gather for tea and homemade bakes under the summer sky.
That same tradition lives on today.
This December, we invite you to experience the timeless pleasure of Martindale Hall once more, with our High Tea Series — an afternoon of handcrafted sweets and savouries, fine teas, and, if you wish, a celebratory glass of local sparkling wine.
✨ Tickets: $90 per person — includes entry into Martindale Hall and two hours to savour this elegant experience.
📅 Limited seats available. Bookings essential. https://www.trybooking.com/DGVSR
Join us where history, hospitality, and the simple joy of gathering still come beautifully together.
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