Longford Attractions

Longford (pop. 2000) is in a pastoral farming district (dairy products, high-quality merino wool), has been classed by the National Trust as a Historic Town, the whole of which is under statutory protection. The first settlers came here around 1813. The main streets of Longford with their old shops and inns have the air of a small town in 19th C. England. The oldest buildings in the town were built by convict labor. Christ Church (1839) has beautiful stained glass from Newcastle (England) and a graceful tower; there are many graves of early settlers in the churchyard. The Racecourse Hotel (1845) was originally designed as a railroad station and later became an old people's home; it is now a popular tourist hotel furnished in colonial style. Jessen Lodge (1827) is also a hotel. Other notable old buildings are the Queen's Arms Hotel, the Blenheim Inn and the Roman Catholic and Methodist churches.