Lyndon Homestead | Explore Historic Elegance

A Timeless Restoration

Hosts: Jude Flintoft & Stephen Smith

Address: 31 Lyndon Road, Waiau

Directions: Exit Waiau Bridge onto Lyndon Street, then third left onto Leslie Street. Continue through the township to River Road on the left. About two kilometres, turn right on Lyndon Road, through a dip in the road, across a bridge, and turn left at the red letterbox. A long shingle drive leads to the homestead.

Lyndon Homestead, circa 1880, began as a much smaller home set on 70,000 acres of farmland. By the early 1900s, its footprint had grown to 750 square metres with the addition of a billiards wing, nursery, and two reception rooms.

Stephen Smith and Jude Flintoft purchased the now 12-acre property in late 2018, two years after the 2016 earthquake. All eleven chimneys had imploded internally, and the clearing of bricks was very labour intensive.

Their emphasis has been on restoration rather than renovation, in honouring the craftsmanship of the original builders who worked with hand tools only.

The original garden design was by Alfred Buxton; one of New Zealand’s most famous landscape designers. Trees and contours are the only remnants now. Rupert Tipples published a book in 1989, 'Colonial Landscape Gardener,' about Alfred's extensive work and designs throughout New Zealand, with a 1926 photo of Lyndon on the cover. Recently Clare Gleeson published a well-researched book ‘The Fairer Side Of Buxton’ including mention of Lyndon.

Steve and Jude welcome visitors to explore the house and grounds.