Franklin House
Franklin House
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
153 reviews
Excellent
89
Very good
53
Average
9
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Jon K
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia81 contributions
Jan 2020
We have been on a previous trip, but well worth a return visit on the way out of Launceston. This National Trust property (one of the list that the National Trust of Tasmania struggles to maintain) includes a great story and a collection of fine English period furniture, including a number of colonial pieces, musical instruments including a rare stirrup organ, excuisite clocks, fine china etc. It also has a lovely garden, and a good tea-room with excellent scones, jam and cream, and is staffed by friendly and informative local volunteers.
The house was built speculatively using convict labour in 1838 as a genteel family residence, using cedar shipped in from NSW, and in 1842 it was turned into a smalll but prestigious boys boarding school (Mr Hawkes Academy). A classroom is now set up - it is slightly unnerving to see the boys and master quietly at work! They believe that the large upstairs room was used as the dormitory. The school closed in 1866 after which the building was again used as a house. In 1888 it changed hands and was named 'The Hollies'.
It was renamed Franklin House by the National Trust as it is part of the tiny 'Franklin Village' precinct.
The house was built speculatively using convict labour in 1838 as a genteel family residence, using cedar shipped in from NSW, and in 1842 it was turned into a smalll but prestigious boys boarding school (Mr Hawkes Academy). A classroom is now set up - it is slightly unnerving to see the boys and master quietly at work! They believe that the large upstairs room was used as the dormitory. The school closed in 1866 after which the building was again used as a house. In 1888 it changed hands and was named 'The Hollies'.
It was renamed Franklin House by the National Trust as it is part of the tiny 'Franklin Village' precinct.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Drue
Melbourne, Australia99 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Amazing to step back in time and see this wonderful historic home that was saved by the National Trust in Tasmania. Really beautifully maintained with a passionate group of dedicated volunteers who can assist with any questions you might have. The gardens are so lovely to walk around and the amount of fruit trees shows us all that back in the day you didn’t need a Coles or Wollies, you grew your own. My only downside was unlike in Victoria with historical homes none of the furniture is original to the house but that’s just a personal feeling. The house is still alive today.
Written April 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
andream0402
Melbourne, Australia4,078 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
Franklin house probably doesn’t get as many visitors as it deserves as it’s a little way out of the town centre. There was a bus stop right out the front though . Well run by lovely volunteers it has some very interesting pieces and a beautiful garden. Just $10 to enter and free for National Trust members. Andrew met us in the hallway and gave us an insight into the history of the house then we walked around ourselves. There are information boards everywhere. A hidden gem.
Written February 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bobster
Sydney, Australia100 contributions
May 2022
The house is very well maintained and the gardens are beautiful. The house is filled with lots of historic treasures. It is a self guided tours, but there is lots of information around the house to explain about the house and its contents. You are greeted by a volunteer who gives you a brief history of the house and its previous occupants. Worth a visit.
Written May 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zanzibar138
Perth, Australia726 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
Tucked away in an industrial area in the suburbs of Launceston, this place was totally unexpected. We all enjoyed lingering in the gardens, and visiting the tea rooms for scones. Unfortunately the scones themselves weren't the best, but the jam and cream, tea and presentation made up for it! We didn't bother to go inside the house, but I imagine it would be quite interesting too.
Written October 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol S
Perth, Australia24 contributions
Jun 2021
We very much enjoyed our tour of Franklin house ,the volunteers were very knowledgeable and very friendly,it was nice to see the house has been restored so the history isn’t lost.has a very cute little cafe and lovely gardens .very easy to find .
Written June 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Southborolass
Sydney, Australia404 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
With a few hours to spare before going to the airport this was just perfect. Wonderful volunteers happy to tell you the story of the house. Beautiful gardens and the tea room served delicious homemade soup and damper which was very welcome on a cool and windy spring day. Much nicer and cheaper than airport food. Tea served in a teapot with beautiful china. 10 mins from Launceston airport approx,
Written September 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brendon B
Hobart, Australia33 contributions
Dec 2022
Elegant National Trust homestead set in gardens filled with fascinating history and antiques of Tasmania’s colonial past. Well worth a visit and easy to spend several hours on site. Not on the Midland Highway, so make sure you turn off at the Evandale roundabout on route to Launceston airport.
Written December 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Menian
Wantirna, Australia43 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We spent a delightful couple of hours visiting Franklin House and gardens. Beautiful & rich in history, it is a must see for anyone wanting a glimpse into early settlers life. We finished the visit with a lovely afternoon tea served by the lovely volunteers.
Written March 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AADRSWYSIWYG
Merimbula, Australia11 contributions
Feb 2013 • Solo
I had an hour or so to spend and by chance I spotted a sign saying Franklin House was open. I went to the front door but it didn't seem to be open so I wandered around the back where I was greeted by one of the staff/volunteers I think. I said I couldn't get in was it open, apparently I should have rang the front door bell oh well. What a beautiful building each room filled with antiques (obviously) with details about everything in every room. I strolled through the gardens had a look at the school and separate kitchen. It's a beautiful place, do yourself a favour and have a look when you visit Launceston!
Written February 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Had trouble finding by the address. Apparently it’s in ‘Youngtown’ (Franklin Village) not Launceston. Planning on going soon and will write review. Finding TripAdvisor really helpful.
Written April 25, 2019
Youngstown is a southern suburb of Launceston. We hired a car and there were no issues finding the property.
Written April 27, 2019
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