Rydal Daffodil Show NSW Sept. 2008

And then my heart with pleasure fills and dances with the daffodils
…William Wordsworth 1843

Rydal is a tiny little township just short of Lithgow. It is buried deep in the mountains and the drive there is breathtaking at this time of year. The area is very green at present because of the rainfall and the local lake “Lake Lyall” is full. There is fishing, boating and swimming in Lake Lyall and we were surprised at the number of tents and boat trailers there.

The rolling hillsides led us right into the town

As I said, Rydal is a very small town with a population of 80 people and 40 houses. Most of the buildings in the town (houses included) date back to the 1800s. There are no shops but there is a local pub, so glad that they got their priorities right lol. The township was born back in the 1840s and apparently by the end of 1869 it was the final stop on the railway line for the steam trains. As a modern, very busy and cosmopolitan town back then Rydal had eight hotels, five blacksmiths, five stores and a doctor. Now at that time there was a local mine that employed a lot of people as well as farms and cattle properties. At around the mid 1800’s gold was also struck further north and the roads between Dubbo and Rydal, Mudgee and Rydal, Orange, Bathurst and Rydal were filled with horse and carts transferring produce, minerals and gold to the train station at Rydal to be delivered to Sydney by steam train.

We were told that the town also became a romantic place of sorts as many young honeymooners would catch a train to Rydal and then transfer to a Cobb and Co. coach to finish the journey to Orange or Bathurst for their honeymoon. Later with people wishing to visit Jenolan Caves, they came to Rydal by train, then horse-drawn coach to the caves. This was until the introduction of motor vehicles.
Rydal is seeped in history, many of the buildings date back to the 1800s

Rydal Cottage is a privately owned property of approx. 9 acres. The cottage dates back to 1870 but the grounds are absolutely beautiful. It was such a pleasure to roam around here. Naturally there are thousands of daffodils but the owner has planted some very beautiful tulips, hyacinths and daisies against a backdrop of native trees. I spent hours there investigating and taking note of all the little places she had planted gardens such as old fashioned bath tubs, old wheelbarrows, tubs, wine casks, old wash tubs with antique water pumps. It was amazing. I felt like a kid in a lolly shop lol. I never realized just how many different types of daffodils there are also. I am sure if they exist that they have been planted somewhere in Rydal.

As for the historic buildings, they have been kept in amazingly good condition. Most are listed on the National Heritage Estate. The original railway station, St Matthew’s Church, the old Union Church, the former Police Station and even the policeman’s residence all remain in excellent condition. If you appreciate historic architecture you would recognise how much ongoing work has been undertaken in this town to preserve a time long forgotten. In the old Union Church which is unused, there are all of the organs that had been purchased back since the building of the church in 1869. The original organ was 40 years old when it was bought out from England back then.
One of many beautiful country laneways in Rydal

Many of the homes are made from beautiful sandstone and have the original horse stables still out the back as well. 150 years ago the kitchen was a sepaate building to the main house for several reasons. Firstly, the area's warm climate in summer made operating a kitchen unpleasantly hot. Secondly, with the slaughter and cooking of meat, the main houses were free from smoke and smell and although the cooking is undertaken inside nowadays the separate old cookhouses still remain in many places.


Blending in with a lovely country town were a lovely welcoming group of residents so pleased to show their hospitality to visitors. Don't froget that Rydal these days has a population of 80 people and I am sure that all 80 were out in the main street to say hello and welcome.

I did learn a few things about daffodils whilst I was browzing around. Firstly they grow from bulbs so once you plant them they need little to no care. After they flower in Spring one just cuts the flower off and then next year it will flower again...how easy is that. If you want to encourage many many flowers one needs to dig up the bulbs in late summer, wash and let dry thoroughly. Store the bulbs in hesham or potato sacks in a well ventilated area until time to plant again at the beginning of autumn. Apparently this guarantees lots and lots of flowers. I guess it simply depends on how much time the gardener has.


Well that was Rydal. It is interesting to see the way other people live. Their beloved daffodil displays are on during Springtime and I would recommend a visit. Have a good day everyone.