Hawthorn Heritage Haven Walk

Hawthorn Heritage Haven Walk created by Sean Mathews

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Summary

4km of beautiful period residential architecture set in gorgeous gardens easily accessible by public transport. The walk includes great shopping and dining. This is a station to station series walk.

Description

Another in the station to station series. No vehicle is required. Arrive at Glenferrie Railway Station, emerge into the heart of the Hawthorn shopping district, then venture into the Hawthorn Heritage Haven of fine historic residences. On offer is a spectacular range of beautiful period architecture mansions and other dwellings. There are also excellent food and refreshment opportunities accompanied by a wide range of retail outlets along Glenferrie Road.

Hawthorn was gazetted as a suburb in 1840. It is an affluent inner Melbourne locale with much of its historic built environment intact.
This walk does not claim to represent all the best examples in one route. However, including the wonderful Hawthorn Grove and parallel heritage laden streets certainly delivers a concentrated experience of past grandeur and period architectural beauty (plus the odd modern wonder).

Soak up the atmosphere of a bygone era while walking the local leafy streets. Enjoy the many gorgeously designed and immaculately maintained gardens.

The selection of example photographs presented here was entirely personal on the day of mapping. As you will see, any number of other examples could have been chosen. Do the walk, pick your own favourites.

Take up this challenge - create your own Top Ten. I guarantee it will not be easy, but you will enjoy being spoilt for choice!

Other walks in the area
Seven Parklands loop, Hawthorn

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Points of Interest

1. Glenferrie Railway Station

Start here for a public transport based beginning.

2. Pedestrian crossing

Glenferrie Rd is pretty busy. Best to cross over at the lights.

3. Check out the gabled gateway

The first property I feature as you head along Chrystobel Cres.

4. Turreted balconies.

Inclusive of defending Dragons.

5. Leafy streets.

Many of the local streets are treed avenues and canopied gardens of dappled shade.

6. Lemon colours.

Amongst much Hawthorn brick, there are also dwellings in pastel pretty colours.

7. And a more modern orange.

Don't assume every dwelling on this walking map is a gem of more than 100 years old. Some of the modern architectural designs stand out as well.

8. Slate roofing and multiple chimneys

Many roofs in the area are fine examples of craftsmanship with immaculate slate tile pointing. It is always interesting to count the number of chimneys.

9. Landscaped gardens.

Many of the gardens are professionally planned, installed and horticulturally sculpted. This is prime landscape designer territory.

10. Period flats.

The area has not escaped demolitions or replacement structures which could have been designed in a style more consistent with the surroundings.

11. Seating.

For those who want to take a break on the walk, there are even some street side benches along the way.

12. More modernism

With park frontage.

13. Halfway mark playground

If you are taking the kids on this walk, the LF Bray Playground is a good point to give them a new focus for a bit and take a breather yourself.

14. Renovation

Many houses in the area are like this one are subject to planned renovations. Sadly, many other of these classic examples of period domestic architecture face the machinery of wreckage.

15. Formal gardens

Symmetry and structured patterning. Whether you would like it or not for yourself, you can't help but admire the manicured geometry others have achieved.

16. Towers and lacework

A home that exemplifies the grandeur of a bygone era.

17. Bay windows and conical prominence

This walk is a case of the more you look the more you will see. The appeal of a pseudo turret is undeniable.

18. Glenferrie Rd

On your return along Glenferrie Rd and back to the station you will pass numerous excellent establishments for food and drink. There are also many boutique shops to take advantage of.