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Riccarton House and Bush is a heritage site located in the Christchurch suburb of Riccarton about 3.5 km. from the city centre. Covering almost 12 hectares, it consists of two historic buildings set in parkland and gardens bordered by the River Avon and a native forest reserve area.
Features of Riccarton House and Bush in Christchurch
- Riccarton House and Bush is the site which was home to Canterbury's pioneering Deans family, the first Europeans to settle on the Plains in 1843.
- You will experience at the site the family's dramatic story of dreams, love, aspirations, survival and tragedy.
- You can go for a guided tour of Riccarton House, visit Deans Cottage, enjoy a serene walk through the bush or stroll in the park grounds.
- Riccarton House is a grand Victorian/Edwardian homestead for Canterbury's legendary Deans family.
- The house is fully restored and is decorated and furnished in perfect period style.
- Travel back to history and experience a world of Victorian and Edwardian splendor offering you a glimpse of days gone by at the Riccarton House.
- Surrounded by lawns, trees, gardens and bordered by the River Avon, the House enjoys the elegant setting of a bygone era.
- Riccarton House offers visitors a guided heritage tour, restaurant for savoring delicacies and a venue for private functions.
- Stroll amidst the tranquil grove of tall kahikatea trees at Riccarton Bush, an ancient native forest.
- This is Canterbury's sole only surviving kahikatea floodplain forest and bears national significance.
- These 600-year-old kahikatea trees are the last generation of a forest that grew on this site 3000 years ago surviving through two cultural periods, the Maori and the European.
- Guided eco tours through the ancient native forest of Riccarton Bush are available for groups of 10 or more visitors.
- You also visit the Deans Cottage which is a colonial cottage built by the pioneering Scottish brothers, William and John Deans in 1843.
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