Historic building's new lease of life: from Scone School of Arts to Willowgate Hall Luxury Bed and Breakfast

The heritage-listed landmark, on Kingdon Street opposite Coles, was once the cultural centre of town, with the original Scone School of Arts dating back to 1868.

An earlier reading society, called The Scone Book Society, existed from 1841 making it one of the first groups of its kind to be established in New South Wales.

Built in 1873, a new faade was added in 1988 as part of the celebrations for the centenary of the founding of the colony.

The School of Arts was well-known for its expansive library and for being home to the debating competition of the area for some time.

It was also the site of the first meeting of the Scone Municipal Council in 1888.

Among its several claims to fame is the fact that renowned Australian bush poet, journalist and author Banjo Patterson performed there.

Mark Twain, author of Huckleberry Finn, also delivered a lecture at the hall in 1895.

One of its functions was as a Drill Hall for local soldiers during the First World War after being compulsorily acquired by the Defence Department.

Fast forward 17 years and the pair's vision has become a reality with a sign out the front of the building today reading "Willowgate Hall Luxury Bed and Breakfast".

"We've totally refurbished it," Theresa explained as I sat with her in the main hall.

The large space was once used as a recreation room hosting three billiard tables during its functioning as an Arts school (1868 - 1916).

"We've put four bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs," she said.

David, being a carpenter by trade, said it was important to maintain the building's heritage value when completing the refurbishments.

"There's not much point having this sort of a place if you're going to turn it modern," he said.

"People come because its like this."

After its purchase in 2002, Theresa and David ran it as a Bed and Breakfast until 2012, also hosting weddings, dinners and lunches.

"Then we went away to England for seven years, tried to sell it, but nobody wanted to pay and didn't have the vision I suppose," Theresa added.

"Two years ago we decided we weren't going to sell it and we came back and totally redid it again - new bathrooms, carpets, everything.

"Now we have been running as a Bed and Breakfast since the middle of May."

The pair say they are very well accustomed to restrictions involved with renovating heritage-listed buildings from their time in England running similar operations.

"This is what they call a Tuscan style building and we've just kept it that way," Theresa said.

"The outside of the building is restricted, and we have to apply to Council as far as the colours are concerned.

"We have further plans to repaint the main room and further gardening design to do and we don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon."

David describes the Willowgate Hall as Scone's "hidden treasure," partially, he says, due to its location.

"When we first opened we used to have visitors come and they would ring us and say 'what's going on, you don't exist'.

"Now we have been here a while I think it's known more. It's changed," he added.

The pair say they have been very fortunate over the years with the variety of guests that have stayed with them from all walks of life.

"A lot of famous people have stayed here," David says.

"There was a show in Australia called Australian Princess and Channel 10 came and filmed it in the hall.

"Paul Burrell, former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales came here, Fergie (Sarah, Duchess of York) came here and they interviewed and dressed the girls here.

"We also had the Sulton of Brunis' security advisor for his airforce.

"Lots of horse people have had luncheons and stayed here, including Gai Waterhouse.

"We love it here, we've always lived in the country, even when we lived in England. I love Scone. It's a great place to be," Theresa concludes.