Chippenham Lodge

Chippenham Lodge is a ten-room brick building constructed in the 1860s, designed by architect Benjamin Mountfort for the Goldney brothers from Wiltshire. The structure displays design features typical of the period and received extensions to its original layout.

Construction began in 1863 and the building received major extensions in 1865 after Henry Mytton purchased the property from its original owners. These additions shaped the structure that remains today.

The lodge became a meeting point for social movements during the 1970s, where environmental and activist organizations found a home. The communal living model attracted people committed to progressive causes and social change.

The building is located on Browns Road and is currently closed to the public due to necessary structural repairs. Future plans may see it relocated near the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, which could eventually allow access.

In the early 1970s, the house sheltered around twenty residents including future cabinet minister Marian Hobbs. This phase of communal living made the building a significant gathering point for an entire generation of activists.

Location: Christchurch City Council

Location: Christchurch City

Inception: 1863

Architects: Benjamin Mountfort

GPS coordinates: -43.50920,172.62500

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:02