Mona Vale...

………………………..…Gardens


It was a pleasure visiting these beautiful gardens and buildings today. The weather was warm and sunny adding to the visit.
Morning coffee and a buttermilk scone served with thickened cream and strawberry jam were delicious.

Brief History
Mona Vale was once part of the Dean family farm (we visited their homestead, Riccarton House,  and native bush earlier this month - see my blip of 4th April ) 
It was later sold to Frederick & Alice Weymouth and they built the homestead, lodge and gardens - around 1899.
Wealthy heiress Annie Townend bought the property in 1905, naming it Mona Vale after her mother’s birthplace in Tasmania. She added the delightful Gatehouse, see extra, and extended the gardens.
The property is now owned by the Christchurch City Council. It was restored for use as a restaurant, function centre and public gardens.
The property sustained damage during the earthquakes of 2010/2011, with repairs completed in 2019.