'Winchester', now situated amongst the undulating farmland of North Canterbury, began life in inner Christchurch where it sat in the city street from which it took its name, alongside other villas of its type. Relocated in around 1990 onto a delightful piece of land no more than forty minutes drive from the city, it has been sensitively restored both inside and out to provide its owners with the best of both worlds: city life and rural tranquility.
This house has a centre roof gutter and two additions to the original plan in the form of lean-tos at the back and side.
Like many bay villas of the time (around 1900) this handsome example of the style has a return verandah linking the two gables, each containing bay windows with commanding views of the North Canterbury landscape. The cast iron lacework decorating the verandah provides that visual richness we associate with Victorian architecture and it and lends a light-hearted touch to the formality of this attractive house in the country.
.