Birdwoods
A sculpture garden, an old church hall full of art, and a sweet shop that will cost you more than the entry fee.
Birdwoods sits on a rural property just out of Havelock North, a few minutes from Te Mata Peak. The gallery is housed in an old church hall and holds stone sculpture, ceramic and stone native birds, photography, metalwork and bronze, most of it by New Zealand makers.
Outside, the sculpture garden spreads through established trees, with pieces tucked among the planting rather than lined up on plinths. There's a garden café for lunch or coffee, and the sweet shop, which is the bit children talk about afterwards.
It was ranked in TripAdvisor's top 10% of things to do worldwide for 2024, which for a gallery down a country road in Hawke's Bay is quite something
-
298 Middle Road, Havelock North 4172
-
10am - 4pm, 7 days
-
Free
-
Mangateretere / Havelock Streams
-
-
Walk the sculpture garden. Allow half an hour at an unhurried pace, longer if the children are running.
Look through the gallery. The old hall is worth seeing in its own right.
The sweet shop. Old-fashioned jars, paper bags, the lot. Budget accordingly.
Lunch or coffee in the garden café. Outdoor seating among the trees. Book a table at busy times.
High tea, if you're making an occasion of it. Bookings through Birdwoods.