Avebury House dates from 1885 and is a fine example of a grand Victorian home.
Setting
Like many of Christchurch’s garden parks, Avebury was once a private garden surrounding a substantial homestead.
The English style park setting has expansive lawns and large deciduous trees including specimens of lime, elm and oak.
Getting there
Avebury Park is located on Eveleyn Couzins Avenue in Richmond. There is a car park and street parking available.
Buses run near Avebury Park, metroinfo(external link) has up to date information.
Dogs
Dogs must be on a leash to protect heritage garden areas.
Dogs are also prohibited from being within one metre of play equipment of the paddling pool.
Find more parks where you can take your dog.
Avebury House and Park
A public park for over 50 years, enjoy the expansive lawns, planted borders and old established trees.
A wide avenue of trees leads towards the main house, a 19th century homestead that now operates as a community centre(external link) and venue for hire(external link).
Play
A focal point for family gatherings over the summer, the play area is well provided for with large shelter trees and seating.
The playground itself has a rocktopus, slide, spring mounted play items and swings. Find more playgrounds in local parks(external link).
There is also a paddling pool that is open during the summer months. Check the paddling pool status and find more paddling pools in parks.
Richmond Community Garden
Bringing new life to a community on the edge of the red zone, this community garden aims to teach self-sufficiency through growing vegetables.
Always welcoming of new members, head along(external link) to learn new skills or pass on some of your own gardening expertise.
If you're interested in booking a space at Avebury Park or Avebury House, head to the Avebury House Trust website(external link) for more information.
You can also contact 03 381 6615 between 9am and 1pm Monday to Friday or email admin@aveburyhouse.co.nz for booking enquiries
Avebury takes its name from Avebury Farm in West England, the home of original property owner Dr John Seager Gundry. The land was soon sold to William Flesher who built the homestead for his family in 1882.
The 0.8ha (1.9 acre) property was purchased by the Christchurch City Council in 1948 with the paddling pool being constructed not long after. From 1966, the house was leased by the Youth Hostels Association of New Zealand and was known as the Cora Wilding Hostel. In 1999 there were calls for the house to be demolished as the cost of restoration was going to be too high. The Richmond community, with support from community board and councillors encouraged the building to be used as a community facility instead. In 2002, Avebury House officially reopened as community centre and and events venue.
The house suffered moderate damage during the Canterbury earthquakes but was strengthened to 100% of the New Building Standard and re-opened in 2013 to again operate as a community facility.
Read more about the history of Avebury House and Park in the Christchurch District Plan(external link).