About Barn1890 

The heritage listed stone barn was built by hand in 1890 and is nestled among the gum trees and the vineyards between the stunning coastline of Silver Sands Beach and the rolling foothills of Willunga. 

Husband and wife team Colin Elmer and Lee Widdison lovingly restored the historic barn, stone by stone, beam by beam for their own wedding in 2014. 

From a derelict shell, with no electricity or running water, full of rats and bats, possums and snakes

AND Kombi’s… of course! to the beautiful building it is today. 

Originally built by the McCrae family to house the horses, there was still many remnants of a bygone era.

A blacksmiths shop was also operating on the property and the barn was a hub for a working farm of over 600 acres. Horses were used in all aspects of farm work in the 1800’s, from driving a threshing machine next to the barn, to turning the crops into grain for feed and seed.

In the 1900’s, machinery took over from horses and the barn was converted to a shearing shed

and then it was left to fall into disrepair.

The restoration began in the summer of 2009 and it became a long and arduous process using the original shuttering technique to rebuild the crumbling stone walls. Renovations were undertaken periodically between December 2009 and August 2014 

and what a laborious journey it was, but goodness… it was worth it!

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There is also an enchanting 1850’s stone cottage onsite, formally known as Sea and Vines Cottage, which offers the perfect blend of timeless charm and contemporary comfort. The cottage boasts a beautifully renovated bathroom complete with a claw-foot bath, a spacious living and kitchen area,

two large bedrooms with king beds and a tranquil outdoor patio area.

The front garden of the cottage is surrounded by spectacular views across the vines,

right down to the sparkling sea.

Discover the magic of Barn1890… a ‘must-visit’ destination where unforgettable experiences await!