Royal Winton Collection Display
The most recent addition to the exhibitions displayed in the Rose Room is a privately-owned collection of exquisite Royal Winton China on permanent loan from Doug and Brenda Sarah. Royal Winton China dates back to 1885 after being founded by Leonard Grimwade, who had previously worked for the famous Wedgewood pottery firm. The China on display in the Rose Room comes from different eras. This exhibition continues to be added to, and additional exhibit information is provided at the point of display. The image above is part of the Royal Winton Display.
Doug and Brenda’s collection journey commenced over 50 years ago when their youngest daughter, Melinda, unfortunately, broke one of their pieces of Royal Winton. They would keep an eye out for small bits and pieces in the early days, but the collection activity really ramped up in the last 20 years.
Much of the collection includes pieces dating back to the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. The Royal Winton name emerged in the early 20th century. The display is believed to be one of the largest private collections in existence around the world. Doug and Brenda continue to source unique pieces to add to the collection.
The majority of the collection is of breakfast sets from different eras in superb condition.
Another exhibition alongside the Royal Winter China display is a collection of beautifully painted crockery pieces by local ceramic artist Barbara Torkington. Barbara is renowned for her exquisite work and has been creating these pieces for Cockington Green Gardens for many years. The Barbara Torkington display is also on loan from Doug and Brenda Sarah and is part of their personal collection.
International Display
Cockington Green’s international display was established in the late 1990’s. This followed consideration of better utilisation of the land which previously was home to the small lake around which the miniature steam-train circled. There were many months of work involved in firstly draining the lake and then creating access to the new international display area underneath the miniature steam-train line.
The process for developing the international display commenced with letters being written to all High Commissions and Embassies in Canberra. Those who responded were engaged in detailed discussions to negotiate which building would best represent their country, a time-frame within which to construct, and last, but not least, from where the funding for the display would come.
See More
Royal Winton Collection
More than 50 years of work is involved in delivering the display of Royal Winton China in the Rose Room.
Doug and Brenda Sarah have provided their collection for permanent display at Cockington Green Gardens. The collection is believed to be one of the largest private collections of Royal Winton China in the world and continues to be added to as more pieces are sourced.
See MoreOriginal Display
The original Cockington Green Gardens display winds its way through superbly manicured gardens and depicts many of the varied and colourful scenes of Great Britain that the Sarah family discovered and explored during an extended holiday to England in 1972.
Cockington is a quaint English village located in Torquay in the English county of Devon that the family enjoyed and fell in love with during their extended holiday. They subsequently named their Australian Tourism Award-winning business after this delightful and picturesque village.
See More
Rose Room
The major exhibit in the Rose Room is a fabulous display of Royal Winton China. This collection is on permanent loan from Doug and Brenda Sarah who have spent more than 50 years collecting pieces of the famous Royal Winton China. Alongside of the Royal Winton China is collection of beautifully decorated pieces of China which have been painted by well known ceramic artist, Barbara Torkington.
A 34 room Georgian Style Dolls House known as ‘Waverley’ is also on display in the Rose Room and is complemented by another dolls house ‘Misrule’, a replica of the house depicted in the famous novel the Seven Little Australians. Donated to the Children’s Medical Research Unit the replica house in now on permanent display at Cockington Green Gardens.
The famous ‘Chester Shops’ is also featured amongst the many varied and changing exhibits of the Rose Room. You could see such things as a miniature bottle display, a private collection of dolls from around the world in traditional dress. Plus numerous hand made creations, which include miniature furniture, and an amazing range of miniature accessories, feather quills, a tiny town with shops, timber model replicas and so much more.
See More