Englefield Lodge

‘Peep, peep’ peeps! Yikes, this is a busy street corner for feathered ‘fan-trail’ guides like me. Watch out for cars and the occasional electric scooter. (I hope you used the zebra crossing to get here safely?)

I’m grateful for this patch of historical garden to rest in. Stop for a moment and read about William Brittan and his once-riverside house Englefield Lodge.

Unfortunately the house is hidden by growth and rather dilapidated now. A more beautiful photo is on the heritage panel.

The lodge was once a ‘rural property, on the outskirts of the central city area. Wow, haven’t things changed since 1856, when the lodge was completed?!

This little patch of garden is a mere snippet of the lodge’s beautiful expanse of backyard that went all the way to the river’s edge. Imagine what it was like in the 19th century, waking up in the house and wandering down to the awa to admire the birdlife and tūna eel. And no motor cars!

Yet there’s still such beauty in and around our awa – please don’t take it for granted! Perhaps – as you walk or cycle along this next stretch of trail – you can collect any litter you see. This helps keep our urban rivers and riverbanks teeming with life. (Birds like me need lots of bugs to eat!) 

You could tell your friends and whānau about the Pick up 5 campaign. It encourages you humans to collect 5 bits of rubbish each time you go for a walk – and dispose or recycle them appropriately. Ka pai, eco-friends!

From here, the trail continues across the river (use the zebra crossing peeps!). But before you do, a fun diversion is to explore all the quaint workers’ cottages behind the lodge. Head along Avonside Drive and turn into Hanmer Street. (Perhaps Gilby Street, all the way to Beverley Park Heritage Rose Garden.) Hidden gems in this part of town! 

Rejoin the trail at Fitzgerald Avenue, on the north bank of the river. I’ll wait for you to get there: I’m going to fly a shortcut.

Mā te wā, peeps!

Links:

More about Englefield Lodge

https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/1867/Listing

Pick up 5 litter campaign

https://ohrn.nz/pickup5/