The 4.86 acre property has been held as a family residence by the Howard and Partridge families for 98 years.

It's set to go up for auction on Saturday, November 30 in the hopes to be restored to its former glory.

'Ben Avon' was built circa 1845 by John McLennan when he and his young bride settled at Bowenfels.

He kept one of the first general stores in the district there for 20 years until he left Bowenfels with his wife and five children in 1865.

The building was then purchased by George Lee who secured a liquor licence and traded as the 'Royal Hotel'.

As a hotel it traded as a Cobb and Co Changeover Station and Inn on the main route west.

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Through its coaching days it commanded a thriving trade and was the natural meeting place of many who lived in Bowenfels, anxious to hear the latest news, whether it be from the east or the west.

When Mr Lee's licence lapsed in 1872, his wife Eliza Jane kept the place going as a guest house and it was thought that was how the name 'Ben Avon' was adopted.

The Lee family left the inn in the late 1880s but remained the owners.

In the meantime, a lady by the name of Miss Roberts opened a small private school which was advertised in Lithgow Mercury in 1895 as 'The Ladies Mountain College, 'Ben Avon' later run by a Miss Cooke.

The property had been in the hands of the Lee family for over 50 years and various family members lived in the house until it was sold in 1913.

It remained a private residence until it was passed to the Howard and Patridge family in 1925.

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In 1976 'Ben Avon' was classified by the National Trust for its well preserved early store, residence and hotel.

The grand sandstone residence offers a three storey plan with seven bedrooms, two bathrooms, formal living areas and a full sized basement.

The original kitchen is in the rear of the basement with an original wood fired baker's oven on the left, and a roasting oven on the right.

There are also five original beer barrel chutes from the front verandah to the cellar, two open fire places and fuel fired central heating.

'Ben Avon' has an eight bay verandah which runs the full length of the house and is supported on nine fluted timber posts. Three large stone chimneys, six panel doors and French doors run along the front and the floor is paved with sandstone.

Inside there are high ceilings, original maple doors and skirting. The staircase has also been left natural and varnished.

Out the back the original sandstone stairs remain with wear and tear from those who once walked up and down them.

There is also an old stable and workshop behind the house with a valley and mountain view.

Despite needing significant renovations, LJ Hooker Lithgow principal Jamie Giokaris said it wasn't often something this historic came on the market.

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"It's the first time it's been on the market for nearly 100 years.

"Really, who we are looking for to take over is someone who has a passion for a heritage type property," he said.

He said it had the potential for someone with a grand plan to turn it into a residence or for commercial use as a BnB or restaurant.

"I think the current owners would like to see another family come in and actually have a passion for renovating it and enjoying it.

"There's plenty of scope for people to change the floor plan around to suit," he said.

The auction will be held at LJ Hooker, Lithgow at 201 Main Street on Saturday, November 30 at 10am.

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