Riccarton House Wired
Riccarton House has a new lease of life and technology with the arrival of its new web site. The new site is the start
of the Riccarton Bush Trust’s push into using new media channels to promote and educate residents and visitors of the
historical significance of Riccarton House and Bush in Canterbury.
The estate which is home to the 1843 Deans Cottage and 1856 Homestead began offering guided Heritage tours last October
and is now Christchurch’s newest tourism attraction for both locals and tourists. Trust Chairman, Charles Deans
commented “ the new web site will be a great resource for residents, historians, and local schools”. Future plans
include resource kits for teachers, downloadable files about the Bush and its eco system, and the possibility of a
virtual tour of house and grounds.
Already Riccarton House has strong forward bookings by inbound tour operators. Trust Chairman, Charles Deans commented,
“ The support and interest in the new venture is extremely encouraging. The opportunity for both local residents and
tourists to take in some of Christchurch’s earliest history, which is so close to the city, will make the destination a
real asset for the people of Christchurch”.
The opening up of the house last October is the culmination of an intensive restoration process over a 10-year time
frame. The Administration Manager, Graham Hemming stated, “the Guided heritage tours offer a unique way to see how early
pioneers of Canterbury lived and take in the essence of 19th Century life of a real pioneering family”. Overseeing the
rebranding of the House is newly appointed Marketing Manager, Barry Dowell. “Riccarton has high brand awareness and its
former life as a function venue will be easily built upon.” Mr Dowell commented “ the site houses the Deans 1843
cottage, the oldest surviving home on the Canterbury Plains, Riccarton Bush, which is the last stand of original
kahikatea forest left on the Canterbury Plains and the Homestead which holds a Grade One Category from the Historic
Places Trust. We see it fast becoming one of Christchurch’s key visitor attractions.”