Unnamed Road, Coalgate, Selwyn
The Deans family played an important role in Canterbury’s early European history. After the city of Christchurch was founded near their Riccarton farm, the family took up land near Darfield and created one of the great Canterbury estates. Brick and tile works at nearby Glentunnel provided the materials to build a large brick woolshed, a wonderful homestead and stables and other farm buildings. These outbuildings are now home to a commercial 'farm visit' enterprise run by the Deans Family, where visitors observe farming practices and take tea. On open days the impressive 1881 water turbine, once used to drive machinery in the farm workshops through a nineteenth century system of shafts and belts is powered up.
Parts of the 2005 film The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe were filmed here.
The brick homestead suffered major damage in the 7.1 magnitude earthquake on September 4 2010 centred near Darfield. A new house has been constructed to a design by Ian Athfield. It incorporates elements which were recovered from its predecessor.
Nearby this Place
Featured Nearby
Featured Nearby