Old-world restaurant

Press, 25 October 1985, Page 19

Old-world restaurant

As a restaurant and guest house, Godley House offers a lovely view of the Lyttelton Basin, expansive gardens and the charming tranquillity of a Victorian homestead. Situated on a hill above Diamond Harbour, Godley House is unique as it is one of the few stately homes in New Zealand still operating as a guest house. It is at present run by a husband and wife team, Anne and Don McNarn. Built in 1880 by Mr Harvey Hawkins, a prominent Lyttelton Borough Councillor, no expense was spared. “Harvey Hawkins built the place as an entertainment centre where he held outrageous parties for his many non-paying guests,” Mr McNarn said. “We want to carry on that tradition, but, unlike Mr Hawkins who soon went broke because of his generosity, we’re running it as a business,” he said. Today, Godley House is open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch at mid-day to 2.30 p.m. and, for dinner, from 6.30 p.m. onwards. Accommodation for up to 16 guests is provided with dinner, bed and breakfast. Colour television is available for viewing in the guest lounge, or if you wish to relax, the fully licensed Nautical Bar is open also. Each room has its own theme. Originally the dining room, the Nautical Bar, as its name would imply, was refurbished along the naval lines.

“It used to be the old tearooms, before we shifted in, and a real mess. It took us quite some time to strip four coats of paint off the original rimu wood panellings,” said Mr McNarn.

“We designed it along the nautical theme because Mr Hawkins was a ship’s pro-, vedore and had his own steamboat, the Lyttelton which used to come out

here,” he said. Adjacent the Nautical Bar is the Baronial Room, another dining room, which has been refurbished to look like the interior of a castle. Once fully completed with the relevant furniture of that period, the Baronial Room will be a very attractive place in which to dine. Stroll on through to the Edwardian Room and one may dine in the splendour of the deep wine-red velvet of that period, making for elegant surroundings. Over all, the house is undergoing an exciting period of renewal, bringing out all the pleasing aesthetic surroundings of the Victorian era. “It was all left to run down and when we arrived we knew it was going to take a lot of hard work to get it back to its original glamour,” said Mr McNarn, who fell in love with the house at first sight. “It’s a challenge, and it’s going to take a few years, but I love living here and I’m willing to work for it,” said Mr McNarn. The biggest problem Godley House faces, at present, is its relative isolation and the fact that few people in Christchurch know of its existence. It is hoped this problem will soon be overcome. “Friendship • Tourist Cruises are going to make launch trips here before and after lunch every day,” he said. “If anything, the isolation of Godley House should be seen as an advantage. Loud music and dinner can be found anywhere, but the fantastic view and the romantic surroundings we have here are seldom found elsewhere in Christchurch,” he said. For formal functions, many people prefer Godley House as an attractive and very “different” idea. The elegant dining room seats up to 50 guests and, by making use of the adjoining

function room, will seat up to 100 guests. Another lounge is available for dancing. For transport one has the choice of a 35 to 40-minute drive from Christchurch taking in the scenery of the bays on, a 15-minute drive to Lyttelton from Christchurch and then a 10-minute trip by launch to Diamond Harbour. From there it is a three-minute walk up the hill to Godley House. Those wishing to book for meals or accommodation may phone Don and Anne at 294-880 or write to Godley House, Diamond Harbour, Christchurch. Unlike many shop and hotel fronts in Christchurch, Godley House has the true romance and charm of another era. It can still be enjoyed at first hand by actually living there, which is unique compared to other historical homesteads where you are limited to a tour only.