city heritage walks

City Heritage Walks

Central Christchurch is perfect for exploring so much to see and do so close!

This walking guide has been divided into three sections

and contains many of Christchurchs interesting features.

The city has a rich Mori and European cultural history

and many of these sites are part of this walk. Altogether

the three walks will take at least two hours, allowing time

for brief pauses at various points. However, if you wish

to linger longer, shop or dine, you may like to allow more

time to do the full circuit.

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Map - City Centre

City Walk One

City Walk Two

City Walk Three

City Heritage Walk Routes

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City Walk One Route Landmark Public Artwork




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Map - City Walk One

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Cathedral Square (1)The City Heritage Walk begins in Cathedral Square, the focal point of which is ChristChurch Cathedral.

ChristChurch Cathedral (2)This Gothic Revival Anglican Cathedral was conceived by the Canterbury Association in 1850 and was designed by the prominent English architect Sir George Gilbert Scott (1811-1878). Construction began in the 1860s and although the nave was consecrated in 1881, the transepts and chancel were not completed until 1904.

The Godley Statue (3)In Cathedral Square you will find the Godley Statue (1867). This was the first public commemorative statue in New Zealand and is of John Robert Godley (1814-1861) who is often referred to as the founder of Canterbury. The statue was sculpted by the noted English artist Thomas Woolner.

Map reference page 4

City Walk One

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Citizens War Memorial (4) Sculpted by William Trethewey and unveiled in 1937 this memorial comprising six allegorical bronze figures set on a Portland stone plinth commemorates those lost in the Great War (1914-1918).

Chalice (5) Chalice is an artwork created by Neil Dawson in 2001 to celebrate the new millennium and the 150

th anniversary of the

founding of Christchurch

and Canterbury.In the south-west corner of Cathedral Square is the:

Former Chief Post Office (6)Designed by government architect William Clayton in 1879 and originally built to house government departments, the Former Chief Post Office reflects the prevailing Gothic style of early Christchurch

architecture. An Italianate influence is also evident. The handsome clock tower houses an English replica of Big Ben.

The building now houses the i-SITE Visitor Information Centre. The walk leaves the Square, passing:

The Regent Building (7)Originally the Royal Exchange Building (1905), this striking Edwardian building with its ornate tower was converted to a movie theatre in 1930. The Luttrell Brothers design was innovative for the time.


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Map reference page

Robert Falcon Scott (8)This commemorative statue of Antarctic Explorer Robert Falcon Scott, was sculpted from Carrara marble by his widow Kathleen in 1917.

Opposite is former Municipal Chambers, now called Our City O-Tautahi.

Our City O-Tautahi (9)Designed by Samuel Hurst Seager, the Queen Anne design of the former Municipal Chambers (1887) was a marked departure from the prevailing Gothic Revival architecture of Christchurch. On the south faade are two terracotta figures, the work of Sir George Frampton who sculpted Kensington Gardens Peter Pan. The building is now used for community exhibition and events.

Kate Sheppard National Memorial (10) To the north of Our City O-Tautahi is the Kate Sheppard National Memorial, sculpted in 1993 by Margriet Windhausen. Unveiled on 19 September 1993 it commemorates the centenary of womens suffrage in New Zealand the first self-governing country in the world to grant women the right to vote.

Cross the Avon River at the Worcester Street Bridge (1885), which features ornate iron balustrades. Turn left over the bridge and you will see:


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Map reference page

The Canterbury Club (11)Founded in 1872 as a social club for city men, the Canterbury Club commissioned Frederick Strouts to design premises for its members in a domestic Italianate style. The gas lamp and hitching post outside survive from the era when the Club was founded.

A short distance down Cambridge Terrace is:

Former Library Chambers (12)This cluster of buildings served as a public library until 1982 when the

buildings were converted for commercial use. The original library was designed by W.B. Armson in 1875 and is a fine example of Venetian Gothic architecture. Later additions were designed in the Gothic style in 1893 and 1923. The

site was an early Maori urupa (burial ground).

Bridge of Remembrance (13)Designed as a triumphal arch and unveiled in

1924, the Bridge of Remembrance was constructed to commemorate those lost in WW1 and now honours Canterbury troops who have fought and died in all wars. The architects were Gummer and Ford, and sculptural elements were carved by F.G. Gurnsey.

Cross over to The Terrace and City Mall.

The Terrace (14)A sprawling stretch of restaurants, cafes, and bars along the banks of the Avon River. Head to The Terrace for a lunch in the sunshine, or a late night out on the town.


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City Mall (15)Directly opposite the Bridge of Remembrance, the City Mall pedestrian shopping precinct stretches across several blocks. This recently updated, vibrant pedestrian mall in the centre of town is Christchurchs retail heart.

Friendship Corner (16)The citys Friendship Corner, where trees represent each of Christchurchs sister cities, is located next to the Bridge of Remembrance.

Continue around the river, passing:

Rhododendron Island (17) Created by the Christchurch Beautifying Society, this small island in the river planted with many rhododendrons was originally the site of the Councils first swimming baths.

St Michael and All Angels (18)St Michaels is known as the mother church of Anglicanism in Christchurch and served as the pro-Cathedral until 1881. The free-standing belfry beside the church was designed by B.W. Mountfort and built in 1861. The bell it houses came to Canterbury in 1850.

Walk along the Avon River bank across Montreal Street to the:

Antigua Boat Sheds (19)The 1882 Antigua Boatsheds are the last survivor of a number of commercial boatsheds that once stood along the banks of the Avon River. Rowing boats are still available for hire from these premises.


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In a slight detour from the main walk route, cross the Antigua Street footbridge and walk a short distance along Riccarton Avenue in front of the Christchurch Hospital to visit the:

Nurses Memorial Chapel (20)Designed by J.G. Collins the Chapel (1927-28) is this countrys only memorial built specifically to commemorate New Zealand women killed in war. It contains a magnificent collection of stained glass windows, with four of the nine stained glass windows crafted by noted English glass artist Veronica Whall (1887-1967).

Botanic Gardens (21)Return to the boatsheds and with the Botanic Gardens on your left continue up Rolleston Avenue towards the

Canterbury Museum. Along the way you will pass statues of three of the four Canterbury Provincial Council Superintendents, Fitzgerald, Moorhouse and Rolleston. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens were established in 1863 and cover 30 hectares. Towering trees, sweeping lawns, and floral displays, conservatories and evergreen native plant collections provide interest all year.

The main entrance to the Botanic Gardens is adjacent to the:

Canterbury Museum (22)The early Canterbury Museum buildings (1870-1877) face

ChristChurch Cathedral. Fine stonework, a prominent tower, large rose window and distinctive porch all contribute to the charm of this Gothic Revival building by B.W. Mountfort.


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Across the road is the Arts Centre complex which remains today as a group of outstanding stone Gothic Revival inspired buildings dating from the 1870s.

The Arts Centre (23)The first permanent building of the former University of Canterbury was the clock tower block. Designed by various architects and built over nearly half a century, the buildings now include thriving studios, boutiques, shops and cafes. Rutherfords Den is also housed within the Arts Centre; a unique multi-media visitor experience celebrating the life and work of New Zealands most famous scientist Ernest Rutherford. Try hands-on experiments and walk along the timeline of Rutherfords life story.

Christchurch Art Gallery (24) Te Puna o Waiwhetu

On leaving the Arts Centre walk east down Worcester Boulevard to the spectacular Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu. Situated in the heart of the city, the gallery opened in 2003 and offers arange of local and international exhibitions,an exciting programme of events and free guided tours.

This is where the first section of the walk ends. If your time

is limited you can return to the starting point of the walk by

continuing down Worcester Boulevard or board the tram.


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City Walk Two Route Landmark Public Artwork





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Map - City Walk Two

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City Walk Two


Continue north from the Museum (22) along Rolleston Avenue. On your left is:

Christs College (25)Founded in 1850, Christs College is housed in a magnificent precinct of buildings of different ages designed by the citys leading architects over a 140 year period. Set around an open quadrangle the complex contains the oldest school building still in use in the country the 1863 Big School by J.E. Fitzgerald.

North Hagley Park (26)The Armagh Street Bridge crosses the Avon River into North Hagley Park. The walk turns right into Armagh Street, heading towards Cranmer Square. Surrounding the Square are the former Christchurch Girls High School and former Normal School, now respectively known as the Cranmer Centre and Cranmer Courts.

Cranmer Centre (27)The Gothic Revival Style former Christchurch Girls High School (1880) was one of the first girls schools to be established in New Zealand. Initially designed by W.B. Armson, the school was added to in 1907 and again in 1962. In the 1980s Christchurch Girls High School moved to a different site across Hagley Park.

Cranmer Courts (28)The imposing stone Gothic style buildings of the former Normal School (1876) were designed by Samuel Farr. The Normal School provided

primary education and was Christchurchs first teachers training college. Its adaptive residential reuse was one of Christchurchs early conservation success stories.

Durham Street Methodist Church (29)On the corner of Chester Street West and Durham Street is the citys oldest stone church. Though Wesleyans and Methodists were a small minority among Canterburys early settlers, they gave Christchurch its first stone church

in 1864. The grey stone Gothic-styled church was designed by a Melbourne firm but local architect Samuel Farr supervised its construction.

Turn right down Durham Street and on your left you will pass the citys first art gallery, built in brick for the Christchurch Arts Society. Opposite you will find the:

Provincial Council Buildings (30)Masterpiece of Christchurchs and New Zealands most distinguished Victorian architect B.W. Mountfort, the Canterbury Provincial Council Buildings (1858-1965) are the finest example of Gothic Revival architecture in New Zealand. They are also the only remaining purpose built provincial government buildings in the country. The complex comprises sections in timber and stone built around an internal courtyard and linked by flagstone corridors. There are two debating chambers, one in timber and one stone; the stone chamber is considered the finest Gothic Revival interior outside England.

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Central Library (31)From the river side of these buildings you can see the Central Library. Here visitors can access free internet (including wireless) as well as recent local and international newspapers. The Armagh Street Bridge leads you into Victoria Square.

Victoria Square (32)This space was once the commercial heart of Christchurch and known as Market Square. It was also a trading site for early Maori and holds a special poupou, commissioned as part of the 1990 commemorations of the signing of The Treaty of Waitangi and carved by local master carver Riki Manuel. The Square also features statues of Queen Victoria (1903), and Captain Cook (1932), and the Bowker Fountain (1931) the first illuminated fountain in Australasia. The citys oldest iron bridges are located in Victoria Square and across the bridge is the Floral clock (1953). The stone ramp leading down to the river was once used as a for watering spot for horses.

Christchurch Convention Centre (33) and Christchurch Town Hall (34)On the north side of Victoria Square, across the bridge, are the Crowne Plaza Hotel (1984-1988) and the Christchurch Convention Centre (32) and the Christchurch Town Hall (33); the latter was designed by one of New Zealands leading architectural firms Warren and Mahoney and officially opened in 1972.

The second section of the walk ends in Victoria Square.

Cathedral Square is a short distance down Colombo

Street from the corner of Victoria Square where the

statue of Queen Victoria stands.

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City Walk Three Route Landmark Public Artwork





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City Walk Three


Edmonds Band Rotunda (35) The third section of the walk leaves Victoria Square and proceeds along Oxford Terrace passing the Edmonds Band Rotunda (1929) on the opposite bank. It was one of eight band rotundas in the city by 1945. Cross Manchester Street and at the corner of Madras Street you will find the Edmonds stone clock tower and telephone cabinet. All these features were gifted to the city by businessman Thomas Edmonds, founder of the Edmonds baking powder factory and gardens.

Oxford Terrace Baptist Church (36) and Victorian town houses (37)The Oxford Terrace Baptist Church and an interesting row of two-storey Victorian town houses on Chester Street East form an attractive precinct.

A Tribute to Firefighters (38)To the north of this, over the bridge, is A Tribute to Firefighters created in 2002 by Christchurch artist Graham Bennett and located in the Firefighters Reserve. This was completed with steel from the World Trade Center site and gifted by the City of New York to the City of Christchurch to acknowledge firefighters worldwide.

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Latimer Square (39)Turn right downback along Madras Street (against the one-way flow of traffic) and walk two short blocks to Latimer Square. Latimer Square is one of two squares named after 16th century martyred Protestant Bishops. On the perimeter are a number of significant heritage buildings.

St Johns Anglican Church (40) andOccidental Hotel (41)On the southern side of the square is the stone St Johns Anglican Church (designed by Maxwell Bury) and the Occidental Hotel, both built in 1865. The latter began life as the Collins family hotel for the families of the members of the Christchurch Club.

Christchurch Club (42)The haunt of early Canterbury run-holders, including the English author Samuel Butler, the Christchurch Club (1862) was built as a gentlemans club for early Cantabrians. Designed by B.W. Mountford, it became an important centre

of early colonial political and social life. This timber Italianate-styled building with its varied facades has features executed in timber that are normally associated with stone buildings.

The walk leaves Latimer Square down Worcester Street towards the back of the ChristChurch Cathedral. At the Manchester Street corner you pass the Trinity Church.

Trinity Church (43)For the Trinity Congregational Church (1874), B.W. Mountfort chose an Early English Gothic style to create a striking building. The design purposefully suited the congregations requirements for an open preaching space.

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State Insurance Building (44)Next door on Worcester Street is the State Insurance Building (1935-1937) designed by Cecil Wood one of the most important inter-war architects in Christchurch. As you re-enter Cathedral Square, to your left and right respectively you will see both the Former Government Buildings and the Press Building.

Former Government Building (45)Designed in 1911 by J.C. Maddison (1850-1923). With its imposing Renaissance palazzo style, the Former Government Building has a powerful presence in the Square and Worcester Street. Its style contrasts with the predominant Gothic style of many of the citys buildings.

The Press Building (46)One of New Zealands best examples of a commercial building in the Perpendicular Gothic style. Designed by architects Collins and Harman (1909) to house the daily newspaper The Press which was founded in 1861 and still thriving today. An elegant tower containing a pigeon loft a remnant from the days of carrier pigeons emphasises the buildings corner site.

We hope you discovered some of what makes Christchurch so great! If you have time you may like to visit the Christchurch

i-SITE Visitor Centre and pick-up other city promotional

brochures that maybe of interest. These include:

Lanes Walk: a self-guided walk around the revitalised

Lichfield Lanes network

Peace Walk: a peace themed self-guided walk around

the central city

Christchurch Scenic Drive Guide: three self-guided

drives around the city with themes of Gardens, the

Avon River and the Port Hills.

For more information about Christchurch please check out:

www.christchurch.org.nz

For further information contact:Christchurch City Council - City PromotionsPO Box 237, Christchurch, New ZealandTel: (64 3) 941 8999 Fax: (64 3) 941 [email protected]

www.christchurch.org.nz

city heritage walks

Documents

christchurch cathedral

map city centrecity

public commemorative

godley statue

founding of christchurch

chief post office

edwardian building

regent building