Banjo Paterson Cottage Restaurant, Gladesville is “a home away from home”
A wedding reception venue by the water is more often than not a popular choice simply because of the location. But this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be a place worth holding your reception. Fortunately, our experience of Banjo Paterson Cottage Restaurant in Gladesville has been all smiles!
Built in the 1830s, the sandstone cottage “Rockend” was where A.B. “Banjo” Paterson lived as a young man with his grandmother while he studied at Sydney Grammar School. Now, it’s a fine dining restaurant that has set high standards and manages to achieve them every time we visit. Being once a home, and now a famously historic one at that, it still has that homely feeling exuding lashings of charm & character.
Set on about five acres of land near Bedlam Point in Gladesville, according to their website the landscaped gardens are perfect for an outdoor wedding ceremony and we couldn’t agree more. The flower beds add a romantic touch to the occasion and the pathway that gently winds from the front of the house through to the back lawn area opens up to a wonderful vista of the Parramatta River allowing for a grand entrance by the bride as she is escorted down the “aisle”. Afterwards, the open grassed area is large enough for both the family photographs and a group shot of the guests as they’re gathered, captured from the top of the steps.
Taking a stroll down to the jetty for photos with the bridal party is effective with the wooden boards in the foreground and the wide expanse of the river in the background. The walkway along the shoreline with the occasional copse of fir trees provides another option for location photographs. Even the gate of the property can be utilised to good effect, especially when all the guests have gone inside to be seated for dinner. And don’t forget the front of the cottage with the rose bushes and bridal cars.
Return through the vine-covered archway and through the homestead’s doorway to be warmly welcomed by friendly staff and open fireplaces. Then be greeted by your guests to a round of applause as you join them in one of the dining rooms. With any luck, the glorious colours of the setting sun will be streaming through the windows during your dinner reception.
One of our recent weddings was blessed with a fantastic cake, flowers and table decorations that Form Over Function had organised for the bride & groom whose nominated theme was, coincidentally, “sunset”.
The venue may have a heritage listing but the food is modern and delicious with staff that bend-over-backwards to ensure you and your guests have a great time!
Kim*
Banjo Paterson Cottage Restaurant, Gladesville