Historical information

Ref: Alan Holt records - This property has had a number of different names throughout its history. William Cook, a farmer, bought the land it stands on in 1876. In 1882 he was rated for a house (not the current one) on 11 acres.
The present house was built in 1885 by John Clark, an auctioneer.
In 1888 the Tower Hill estate and the home (Tower Hill Lodge) were auctioned, but the house was not sold.
In 1889 the house was purchased by Captain Shepherd.
Records show that in 1894 the owners were Mr Thomas and Mrs Hortenzia Howell. They named the house 'Corcovado'. Later they added a study with a corner designed to provide views from the Dandenong Ranges around to Mt Macedon.
In 1944 Mr and Mrs Lionel Adams renamed the house 'Varndean'.

Significance

This is one of the earliest surviving houses in Surrey Hills.

Physical description

A colour photo taken from the street at the rear of a Victorian-style house with ornate chimneys and a slate roof. A parked car is seen in front of the house. The house sits behind a timber fence and is partly hidden by mature shrubs and trees.