Tags
Friends of Tūpare, New Plymouth, New Zealand, NZ, Photography, Russell Matthews, The Chapman-Taylor House, travel, Tupare Gardens, Tūpare
Only a short drive from downtown New Plymouth is the charming property, Tūpare. We parked in the car park and walked down the wide path with lovely over hanging branches of all colours to a lovely English type cottage. The Chapman-Taylor house. It was like turning back the clock – lovely wooden beams with that British feel, looking out onto a glorious garden.
Overlooking the Waiwhakaiho River, Tūpare which means garland of flowers is a premier landscaped garden with a unique homestead, originally developed by Sir Russell Matthews and his family from 1932.
Although this beautiful house was closed when we arrived as they were setting up for a private high tea, we were invited in for a personal tour. We were so fortunate as our friend Betty who took us to Tūpare is one of the Friends of Tūpare Her knowledge of the house and the gardens was exceptional. We had the pleasure of about an hour of a personalised tour of the house and gardens.
The Friends of Tūpare host free public tours at 11am on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from October to March and group tours can be organised on request.
This hidden gem is probably one of New Zealand’s best privately-established gardens, which has now been passed on to the district council for preservation. The council continue to do an awesome job, replacing trees and plants as necessary to maintain its splendor.
Established in the 1930s with over 50 years of family effort, the grandeur is awesome, with maples, fragrant roses, rhododendrons, lilies, hydrangeas, redwoods, grasses, there is so much to admire, irrespective of the season.
In 2002, the land was purchased for the New Zealand Community to enjoy. It is indeed a work of art, with such well manicured gardens, a public park with impeccable barbecue facilities where people can enjoy a picnic. There are four walking trails with differing levels of difficulty especially with regards to incline. The original gardener’s cottage is a delight to see and has much historical and photographic material on display. Truly fabulous. What is even better, there is no charge to view and partake in the walking trails
Tūpare is an absolute safe haven of stillness, tranquillity and botanical beauty. It radiates serenity and peacefulness
Tūpare was the home of the Matthews family. It is now owned and managed by the Taranaki Regional Council and is a Garden of National Significance.
It is terrific as you can walk as little or as much as you want. The walk down to the river is worth it and then up to the top. It would be fun to take a picnic and enjoy it down by the river.
A hidden gem indeed! Love your photos! Thank you for sharing.
It is really gorgeous Linda, and I only knew about it because Betty took me there.
When realtors say, “Location, location, location”, this is what they must be dreaming about.
Yes, I think so. Close to town, on a river, magnificent land, it has it all. Thanks Lyn
Wow. Beautiful. And is ‘Lord of the Rings-ish’ an adjective?
It does look like it.
It can be an adjective, why not. Yes, it is beautiful hey Nancy. thanks Lyn
How beautiful and picturesque really enjoyed this hidden treasure. Thank you 💟
Thanks Leah. A lovely place to spend time.
What a beautiful place. :) Your photos are stunning.
Thanks Lynette, it is lovely. Pretty good what a cell phone can do. Lyn
I love visiting houses like this one !
Yes Francis, me too. thanks Lyn
What a dreamy spot.
I reckon you could have some great day dreams at this one. thanks, Lyn
What a beautiful place and you captured them nicely on your photos :)
Thanks so much, it truly is a lovely place to see and experience. Lyn
Aren’t those gardens just beautiful Lyn.
They sure are thanks Sue, Lyn
Just delightful Lyn! Very english as you say…
Thanks Mary, very lovely and yes, very English. Lyn
That is just beautiful …like being transported to a special english garden.
Thanks Kay, it really is hey.
What a gorgeous setting. I am just in the middle of organizing the next trip, which will be to NZ. Will be our first time there so I’m quite excited. Another place to check out here. Thanks Lyn. :)
There is so much to see and do in NZ. It is such a beautiful country. Enjoy, Thanks, Lyn
Thanks Lyn. 😊
Delightful. Different architecture, different trees and shrubs from Oz. Always interesting to see other parts of the World. NZ seems to have it all.
NZ is an extremely interesting country that has so much. Lovely place to visit and so easy to get there. Thanks Gail
Gosh, how lovely. I touch better than the youth hostel I ended up in, in New Plymouth.
Really nice Coral. I don’t think there is any accommodation there. Thanks, Lyn
Gorgeous photos
Thank you
Lovely…
Thanks Betty, it sure is. Lyn
Must try and get there next time we are up that way. Maybe plan a long weekend up there when spring arrives….
Your photos are so lovely, I can almost smell the foliage and feel the shade under the trees.
Thanks so much, but it truly is a lovely place. Lyn
Really like your blog. You’ve been to so many places, not sure where to start. But looking forward to reading more.
Thanks so much. Yes, I am truly blessed with the travels that I have enjoyed. I hope you get some nice inspiration from my stories. Lyn