A small riverside reserve on Rossall Street in Balmoral Hill, beside the Avon and close to Hagley Park, Millbrook Reserve earns 4.7 from 100 reviews, with visitors calling it a peaceful spot to enjoy nature and "one of the city's most attractive beauty spots". It can also be booked for private events.
Small riverside reserves are the quiet counterpart to a city's flagship parks, and Christchurch's Avon corridor has plenty. What they trade in is water views, shade and a slower pace rather than facilities — think a bench, a book and a short walk by the water rather than a full outing. Many link up along the river, so a brief stop can become a longer stroll, and modest lawns beside the water are a natural pick for small ceremonies and photographs.
With its riverside garden, 1866 timber bridge and lawns chosen for weddings and proposals, Millbrook Reserve is a small spot that punches above its size.