Springston near Christchurch: Village Guide to Rural Character and Heritage

Last updated October 2026

Springston is a small rural township in the Selwyn District, a short drive west of Lincoln and within easy reach of Christchurch. Set among Canterbury plains farmland, it keeps a compact village form with historic buildings, a long-established primary school, and a quiet main street.

Many residents commute to Lincoln, Rolleston or the city while the settlement itself retains a strong sense of local character. Visitors and those considering a move find a peaceful base close to university town amenities and wider Selwyn services. The place sits outside Christchurch City Council boundaries and is administered by Selwyn District Council.

Official Suburb Facts

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About Springston

Springston sits on the Canterbury Plains west of Lincoln and Lincoln University, in a farming landscape that has shaped the settlement since the mid-nineteenth century. It developed around Spring Station, associated with James E. FitzGerald, who farmed in the area in the 1850s and 1860s.

The township grew as a service point for surrounding rural properties and still presents a compact form along the main roads rather than sprawling ribbon development.

The first building in the village was a Methodist church opened in 1866 (later replaced). St Mary’s Anglican Church followed in 1875 and is among the earlier Anglican churches in Canterbury; it was designed by Christchurch architect Frederick Strouts, who also designed Ivey Hall at Lincoln University.

Other surviving historic structures include the George Roy Store (formerly Howard and Dartnall, established in the 1870s), the Springston Hotel, the old school house, the former Methodist parsonage, and several cottages more than a century old. These buildings give the township much of its visual character.

Today Springston functions as a pleasant rural township with modern services while keeping its heritage streetscape. A dairy, pub and community hall sit on Leeston Road. The Springston Domain supports local rugby, cricket and tennis.

The Springston Pony Club has long been part of the community and is linked with the South Island Springston Trophy. Many households commute the short distance to Lincoln or into Christchurch for work and secondary schooling, yet the settlement remains distinctly rural in feel.

Selwyn District Council describes Springston as a small rural township west of Lincoln that has retained its character while gaining contemporary services. Its location offers ready access to Lincoln’s shops, university and amenities, and to the wider network of Selwyn towns, without the scale of larger centres.

History and Heritage

European settlement centred on pastoral farming from the 1850s. James E. FitzGerald’s Spring Station provided an early focus. Methodist worship began with a church in 1866; Walter Lawry served as a Methodist preacher in the district for many decades after arriving in the 1860s.

Anglican worship was organised soon after, with St Mary’s opening in 1875 through local subscriptions and the efforts of clergyman Harry Stocker. The store that became known as Howard and Dartnall (later the George Roy Store) was established in 1874 and remains a landmark of the main street.

These churches, the hotel, the old school house, the parsonage and the cluster of early cottages form a coherent historic core. The primary school itself dates from 1868 and continues to serve the township and surrounding rural area. Together the buildings and the Domain give Springston a clear sense of continuity from its nineteenth-century origins.

Getting Around

Ellesmere Junction Road links the township toward State Highway 1 and the Christchurch–Akaroa corridor, while Leeston Road and Springston Rolleston Road connect to Lincoln, Rolleston and the surrounding plains. The layout is compact, so walking within the township is straightforward. School buses carry primary pupils from the wider catchment and take secondary students to Lincoln High School.

Public bus services are more limited than in larger towns; most residents rely on private vehicles for daily travel to Lincoln, Rolleston or Christchurch. Cyclists and drivers find the flat plains roads practical, though heavy vehicles also use the main routes.

Community Facilities and Outdoors

Springston School anchors community life for families. The Domain provides sports fields used for rugby, cricket and tennis by locals and nearby residents. A community hall supports gatherings, and the pub and dairy serve everyday needs.

The surrounding farmland and proximity to Lincoln offer easy access to wider Selwyn recreation, including river and plains walks further afield. The township itself is quiet and suited to those who prefer a small-scale rural setting close to larger service centres.

Where to Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Springston in relation to Christchurch?
Springston is a small rural township in the Selwyn District, roughly 25 kilometres from central Christchurch and a short distance west of Lincoln. It lies outside Christchurch City Council boundaries.

Is Springston part of Christchurch City?
No. It is administered by Selwyn District Council and sits in the Springs Ward.

What schools serve Springston?
Springston School is a full primary school for years 1 to 8. Secondary students generally travel by school bus to Lincoln High School.

What shops and services are in Springston?
A dairy, the Springston Hotel (pub) and a community hall are located on Leeston Road. Larger shopping and services are available in nearby Lincoln and Rolleston.

What historic buildings can visitors see?
Notable places include St Mary’s Church, the George Roy Store (formerly Howard and Dartnall), the Springston Hotel, the old school house, the former Methodist parsonage and several early cottages.

How do people get to Springston?
Most arrive by car via Ellesmere Junction Road, Leeston Road or Springston Rolleston Road. School buses serve the primary school and secondary travel to Lincoln. Public bus coverage is limited compared with larger towns.

Is there a sports ground or domain?
Yes. Springston Domain hosts rugby, cricket and tennis for local and surrounding residents.

What is Springston like for commuting?
Many residents commute the short distance to Lincoln, Rolleston or Christchurch for work while living in a compact rural township setting.

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Explore Christchurch only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Springston is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.