Isel House is a Nelson heritage gem. Picturesque Isel House is set in 4 hectares of gardens and woodlands (Isel Park). Easy to find, (on the Main Road in Stoke) and only 12 minutes drive from Nelson’s City centre make it an essential visit.

Highlights
Isel House has 6 rooms open to the public, which have been furnished with original fabrics, furniture, 19th century oil paintings and a high end ceramic collection and displays of Nelson’s history.

Surrounding Gardens: Stroll around the very well maintained gardens and woodlands and enjoy the legendary Nelson fine weather and sunshine!

Hours:  11.0am- 4.00 pm: Tuesday thru to Sunday (October to April)
Outside Hours: Admission by appointment.
Contact: Tel: +643 547 1347or email: isel.house@ncc.govt.nz
Web: mailto:isel.house@ncc.govt.nz
Admission: Donation (and merchandise to purchase).

Volunteers staff Isel House and we ask you to be generous as a reward for their dedication in restoring this gem!

History
Thomas and Mary Marsden started the construction of Isel house in 1849 and by 1915 it was finished.  Thomas was a watchmaker and jeweller who emigrated to Nelson with Mary in 1842.  The house  was bequeathed to the Anglican diocese with the passing of the last family line, Mary Rose Marsden, in 1930. The House was then sold to the Nicholls family in 1938.  In 1960 after public lobbying the Nelson City Council purchased the house.  Isel House was then used as a home for the Nelson Historical Society and the Provincial Museum used it for storage.

The Isel House Charitable Trust, formed in 2002, assumed responsibility for the management and restoration. The Trust re-opened the house for the public to visit.

Isel House is a Nelson heritage gem; set in 4 hectares of gardens and woodlands (Isel Park), it's easy to find, (on the Main Road in Stoke) and only 12 minutes drive from Nelson’s City centre.