Woodham Park is a heritage garden park in the Christchurch suburb of Linwood, on the edge of Avonside, laid out in the English park style with three major lawns bordered by shrubs and a varied collection of specimen trees. It is best known for its outstanding rhododendrons, its laurel and yew hedges, and its mature trees, including daimyo oak, trembling poplar, Chinese wingnut and slippery elm.
The park is also home to the only aviary operated by the Christchurch City Council, housing Java sparrows, ring-necked doves, native and exotic parakeets, quail and various finches. Families come for the sheltered children's playground with its multi-play structure, see saws and swings, and for the paddling pool, which opens each year from mid November to 31 March. Public toilets and picnic tables make it easy to settle in for a longer visit.
Woodham Park occupies the site of a ten-bedroom homestead built by stamp clerk John Gwalter Palairet and demolished in 1941. Today three lawns — the Rhododendron Dell Lawn, the Main Lawn with its Summer House, and the Playground Lawn — can each be booked for outdoor weddings and gatherings of up to 150 people, arranged through the Council.
Tucked away in the Christchurch suburb of Linwood, Woodham Park is a heritage garden park with a gentle, old-world feel. Laid out in the English park style, it is made up of three major lawns bordered by shrubs and studded with a variety of specimen trees. It is the sort of place where a short stroll can take you past mature oaks and elms, a flourishing dell of rhododendrons and an aviary full of chattering finches — all without leaving the city.
Long before it was a public park, the land was home to a grand private residence. Stamp clerk John Gwalter Palairet built a large homestead on the site — a house of some consequence, boasting ten bedrooms. The property changed hands over the years, but its fortunes faded after the surrounding greenspace became Woodham Park. The house was repeatedly vandalised and was eventually demolished in 1941. Today nothing of the homestead remains; the park itself is its legacy, a reminder of the grand garden estates that once dotted Christchurch.
Woodham Park is a treat for anyone who loves gardens. Its large collection of expansive mature trees includes specimens of daimyo oak, trembling poplar, Chinese wingnut and slippery elm — trees you won't find in every neighbourhood reserve. The borders are equally impressive, framed by excellent examples of laurel and yew hedges and planted with a variety of herbaceous plants interspersed with hydrangeas and camellias.
The park's standout, though, is its rhododendron collection, described as an outstanding example of its kind. Visit in spring and the dell lawn lives up to its name.
One of the park's most distinctive attractions is its aviary — the only one operated by the Christchurch City Council. Step up to it and you'll find specimens of Java sparrow, ring-necked dove, native and exotic parakeet, quail and various finches. For many visitors, especially children, it is the highlight of a trip to the park.
Nearby, a children's playground sits sheltered by mature trees, featuring a multi-play structure, see saws and swings. The park's extensive lawns are perfect for running around or simply spreading a picnic blanket, with picnic tables and public toilets on hand.
In the warmer months, the paddling pool becomes a magnet for families. It opens annually between mid November and 31 March, giving little ones a safe place to cool off through summer.
Woodham Park is a lovely spot for an outdoor wedding or large gathering, and three spots in the park can be booked: the Rhododendron Dell Lawn, the Main Lawn (which includes the Summer House) and the Playground Lawn. Each holds 150 people, making them a practical choice for ceremonies, receptions and community get-togethers. Bookings are arranged through the Christchurch City Council, which also handles permission for photography and filming in the park.
The park's main entrance is on Woodham Road, with an alternate entrance on Lionel Street, and street parking is available nearby. Bus travellers can find up-to-date route information through Metroinfo.
Dog owners are welcome too: dogs are permitted throughout the park, though they must be kept on a leash to protect the heritage gardens, and are prohibited within one metre of the play equipment and the paddling pool.
Whether you come for the rhododendrons in spring, the aviary any time of year, or a summer afternoon of paddling-pool fun, Woodham Park offers a rare mix of heritage planting, family-friendly facilities and peaceful open lawn in the heart of eastern Christchurch.