Take a trip to Oxford and connect with rural Canterbury’s best
They say Canterbury was designed to replicate the towns and cities familiar with those intrepid settlers who first ploughed New Zealand’s fertile soil, and this could not be more true than in the town of Oxford.
Tree-lined streets and colonial houses give the town a quaint feeling, planned for livability and aesthetic. At less than an hour’s drive west from Christchurch, it makes for an ideal day trip.
Just over 2000 people call Oxford home, combining village and rural living at the base of the Canterbury foothills that lead to the Southern Alps. The town was built on farming and the once-bustling forestry and wood milling industry.
For those keen to strap on the tramping boots, nearby natural assets include a variety of walkways and tracks in and around the hills, many of them kicking off from the Mt Oxford car park near Coopers Creek.
One of the more popular is the Ryde Falls Track. From the car park the walk is labelled an easy six-hour return through private land and a beech forest. Mountainbiking tracks in the area also provide a chance for activity.
Back in town, Black Beech Wine Bar is the place for a craft beer and pizza, while Cruisy Days Diner presents a unique 1950s dining experience. Punters keen for a pie would be hard pressed not to stop in at Sheffield Pie Shop’s Oxford location, boasting some of the best hot pies in the region.
Oxford’s Main St has become known for its boutique retail, including Emma’s at Oxford, where books are sold alongside merino and possum fur clothing. Those in search of culture can catch the monthly exhibition at Arts in Oxford Gallery, or stop in at the Oxford Museum to learn more about the town’s weathered streets.
The rise in popularity of knowing where food is sourced has meant weekends are reserved for farmers markets. Oxford’s own market kicks off at 9am every Sunday, collating the best of local produce and flavours. Christchurch locals often make the trip inland to sample Oxford growers and retailers.
Living in a city, people can often forget the rural heritage of the region. Take the chance to escape the four avenues and reconnect with open spaces, farming and a quieter way of life.