Christchurch is laid out like an English university town, set around a cathedral with beautiful English country gardens. There are many references to the "British Empire" from the imposing cathedral in the city centre and the statues of Queen Victoria and Captain Cook in Victoria Square. Cathedral Square, the city's most important landmark, is a perfect starting point for exploring Christchurch, and only a few blocks from Croydon House.

A great way to see the city is on the historic Christchurch Tramway, along a 2.5 kilometre loop around central Christchurch. It takes you from the Square to the shopping promenades, galleries and past the al fresco cafes. Then around the neo-gothic Arts Centre, theatre, studios and craft workshops, towards the charming Gregorian cafes and house of New Regent Street. From here you can stroll down Gloucester Street and Rolleston Avenue to find parks, gardens and Canterbury Museum.

There are over 3000 hectares of gardens, parks and playing fields. Hagley Park, adjacent to the Botanical Gardens, was planted entirely in Northern Hemisphere deciduous trees. Victoria Square has grassy terraces and splendid gardens, such as Mona Vale on the banks of the River Avon. From the many bridges across the Avon, you can admire the banks fringed with weeping willows and the "punters" replete with straw boaters and navigable poles. Hire a canoe or paddle boat with row merrily upstream from the Antigua Boat Sheds.

Christchurch is a city of arts and festivals, from the unique Festival of Romance to the World Buskers Festival, the largest street performance festival in the Southern Hemisphere. The Speights Coast to Coast is New Zealand's most rugged traithlon and the world's longest running multi-sport event.
The Garden City Festival of Flowers promotes the city's famous flora. The biennial Christchurch Arts Festival celebrates both local and overseas performing arts. Showtime Canterbury is the South Island's largest agricultural and pastoral show, which includes the New Zealand Cup as the centrepiece of thoroughbred racing events.