Springbourne Library

Springbourne Library in Christchurch isn't the sort of place you'd plan a holiday around, but if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Meadowbank, Sandhills, or Hoburne - it's worth knowing about for a rainy afternoon. It's a proper community library, the kind where locals actually go to borrow books, use the computers, and get things done. Nothing fancy, nothing Instagram-worthy, but functional and friendly.

You'll find standard library fare: fiction and non-fiction, reference materials, and usually a decent children's section if you've got kids who need entertaining indoors. The opening hours are a bit limited, mind you - closed Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, which is worth checking before you make the trip. Tuesdays and Thursdays give you the longest stretch, from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. Saturdays are shorter at just three hours in the morning.

Families with bored children during bad weather will get the most out of a visit. It's free to enter and browse, though borrowing typically requires membership - check when you arrive. Allow 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how thoroughly you want to explore. It won't replace a trip to the beach or Christchurch's actual attractions, but as a practical stop during a park holiday when the weather turns, it does the job. If you're serious about a longer stay, you can always register for a temporary membership.