Broadgreen House is a historic house museum at 276 Nayland Road, Stoke, managed as part of the Nelson City Council venues portfolio. Built circa 1855 by early English settlers, it is a cob cottage — and is described by the council as one of the largest cob houses open to the public in New Zealand. It is furnished and restored to show family life for Nelsonians between 1850 and 1950.
Important for event organisers: the house itself is not available for hire. What can be booked is the small community hall beside it, the large lawn area and the rose garden.
The interior displays give a picture of domestic life in a settled Pākehā household in 19th century Nelson. Items on display include a child's straight-backed chair made from teak salvaged from the wreck of the Fifeshire; a custom-made kauri sideboard; a Broadwood piano brought to Nelson by the Saxtons on the Clifford in 1842; wallpaper from the 1878 Paris World Fair; a gasolier chandelier from the Tyree homestead; and an English longcase clock from the 1750s. The house also holds a nationally significant textile and period costume collection, including one of New Zealand's oldest quilts, made in Ireland in 1776, plus early settler gowns and accessories. A different selection from the collection is displayed each year.
Visitors are given an introductory talk and an optional tour. The house is open Monday to Saturday 11.30am to 3pm (last entry 2.30pm) and Sunday 10.30am to 4pm (last entry 3.30pm). Entry is free for Nelson and Tasman residents and for children 16 and under; other adults, including senior citizens, pay $8.00.
The grounds contain Samuels' Rose Garden, which holds around 300 named rose varieties and some 3,000 plants. A signposted Rose Walk runs through the collection. The large lawn area is available for hire alongside the garden.
The hireable indoor space is a carpeted meeting room with French doors opening onto the grounds, with a capacity of 30. A whiteboard is available for lectures or displays, and a small fully equipped kitchen next door has a serving hatch into the room. There is a wheelchair accessible toilet. Chairs and tables are provided.
The council notes the room suits anniversary dinners, craft or hobby groups, birthday celebrations and small functions of around 30 people, and that loud music and late-night events are not permitted. There is no off-street parking or vehicle access to the Le Cren Room.
Broadgreen is a small-scale, heritage-led option rather than a conference facility. The meeting room works for a board meeting, committee session, small workshop or a private lunch or dinner for up to 30. The gardens and lawn are the stronger draw for an incentive or social programme — a garden reception, a group visit built around the house tour and textile collection, or a heritage element within a wider Nelson itinerary. Organisers should plan for the parking and noise restrictions and should not assume the historic house can be used as event space. See other Nelson venues.
Capacity
Nearby listings on the MICE record — indicative only, not a recommendation unless marked Featured.