# Rutherford's Den, Christchurch Central City Rutherford's Den is a museum at Arts Centre, Worcester Boulevard, Central City, Christchurch. [Call 03 366 0989]() · [Directions]() · [Website]() · [Google Maps]() **Listed.** On OpenStreetMap and in the council’s 2024 directory. ## About, in one paragraph It opens six or more days a week. Getting there, the nearest bus stop (Rolleston Ave near Gloucester St, route 8) is 110 m away; a separated cycleway passes within 43 m; council off-street parking (54 spaces) is 56 m away. _Summary written by the site from the public record, sources below._ ## Opening hours - Monday – Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm _Source: OpenStreetMap, confirm before a special trip._ ## What the record holds - **Address:** Arts Centre, Worcester Boulevard, Central City _(Find Christchurch, 2024)_ - **Kind:** Museums _(OpenStreetMap)_ - **Phone:** 03 366 0989 _(Find Christchurch, 2024)_ - **Website:** http://www.rutherfordsden.org.nz/ _(OpenStreetMap)_ - **Email:** info@artscentre.org.nz _(Find Christchurch, 2024)_ ## In its own listing Television, radio, sonar and telephones – just some of the great inventions we enjoy today thanks to the scientific discoveries made by Ernest, Lord Rutherford and his peers. Step inside Rutherford's Den and enjoy fun, hands-on activities as you learn about science in the actual rooms where Rutherford studied. The space has been transformed with cutting-edge technology - walk-in multi-sensory experiences, a digital blackboard and interactive screens are just some of its new, high-tech features. Enquire about their education programme for school groups. Free Entry Wheelchair access to ground floor space only. Open 7 days, 10.30am-2.30pm _Source: Find Christchurch, 2024._ ## The ground it stands on _Facts about the spot, not the business, from the council and ECan layers._ - **District Plan zone:** City centre zone _(District Plan)_ - **Heritage item:** Clock Tower Block and Setting, highly significant in the District Plan _(District Plan)_ ## The reports nearby 2,604 reports pinned within 250 m of the point, a pin is where a reporter stood, not a claim about the place. - [Graffiti on a sign, mural or public art](https://www.chch.live/report/9089531), [322 Montreal Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand](https://www.chch.live/christchurch-central-city/322-montreal-street) - [Pavement - Damaged](https://www.chch.live/report/9084216), [11 Rolleston Ave, Canterbury, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand](https://www.chch.live/christchurch-central-city/11-rolleston-avenue) - [Graffiti on a traffic light pole or cabinet, or wa](https://www.chch.live/report/9082415), 7–15 Gloucester St, Canterbury, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand - [Hazard, vehicle](https://www.chch.live/report/9069529), [15 Cashel Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand](https://www.chch.live/christchurch-central-city/15-cashel-street) - [Graffiti on a bus stop or public toilet](https://www.chch.live/report/9062190), [28 Worcester St, Canterbury, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand](https://www.chch.live/christchurch-central-city/28-worcester-street) - [Water General](https://www.chch.live/report/9052636), [20 Cashel St, Canterbury, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand](https://www.chch.live/christchurch-central-city/20-cashel-street) - [Graffiti on a road, footpath or bridge](https://www.chch.live/report/9048444), [57 Rolleston Ave, Canterbury, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand](https://www.chch.live/christchurch-central-city/57-rolleston-avenue) - [Graffiti on a fence, building or structure](https://www.chch.live/report/9048411), [2 Worcester St, Canterbury, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand](https://www.chch.live/christchurch-central-city/2-worcester-street) - [Graffiti on a sign, mural or public art](https://www.chch.live/report/9048319), [322 Montreal St, Canterbury, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand](https://www.chch.live/christchurch-central-city/322-montreal-street) - [Graffiti on a fence, building or structure](https://www.chch.live/report/9048303), [48 Worcester St, Canterbury, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand](https://www.chch.live/christchurch-central-city/48-worcester-street) - [Graffiti on a fence, building or structure](https://www.chch.live/report/9048293), [296 Montreal St, Canterbury, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand](https://www.chch.live/christchurch-central-city/296-montreal-street) - [Graffiti on a fence, building or structure](https://www.chch.live/report/9048260), [262A Montreal St, Canterbury, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand](https://www.chch.live/christchurch-central-city/262a-montreal-street) ## Getting there - Bus stop, Rolleston Ave near Gloucester St, 110 m (routes 8) _(ECan bus stops)_ - Bus stop, Rolleston Ave near Gloucester St, 187 m (routes 8) _(ECan bus stops)_ - Bus stop, Hereford St near Montreal St, 254 m (routes 8) _(ECan bus stops)_ - Separated cycleway, 43 m _(Council cycleway layer)_ - Car park, Ravenscar House Museum, 56 m (54 spaces, 2 mobility, 4 EV) _(Council parking data)_ - [Worcester Boulevard](https://www.chch.live/street/christchurch-central-city/worcester-boulevard), the street’s own record - [Directions on Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Rutherford's%20Den%2C%20Arts%20Centre%2C%20Worcester%20Boulevard%2C%20Central%20City%2C%20Christchurch) - [Street View](https://www.google.com/maps?q&layer=c&cbll=-43.5311366,172.6280788) ## Nearby - [Bijou Cocktail Bar](https://www.chch.live/business/bijou-cocktail-bar-christchurch-central-city), Bars & pubs, 5 m - [Quad Eatery](https://www.chch.live/business/quad-eatery-christchurch-central-city), Cafés, 16 m - [Pumanawa Gallery](https://www.chch.live/business/pumanawa-gallery-christchurch-central-city), Galleries, 18 m - [Two Productions](https://www.chch.live/business/two-productions-christchurch-central-city), Cinemas & theatres, 25 m - [Fragranzi Artisan Perfume Studio](https://www.chch.live/business/fragranzi-artisan-perfume-studio-christchurch-central-city), Business, 30 m - [Lumière Arthouse Cinema](https://www.chch.live/business/lumiere-arthouse-cinema-christchurch-central-city), Business, 31 m - [Armagh Reserve](https://www.chch.live/park/1254-armagh-reserve), park, 298 m - [Cranmer Square](https://www.chch.live/park/1817-cranmer-square), Botanic, 422 m - [Scott Statue Reserve](https://www.chch.live/park/1727-scott-statue-reserve), Botanic, 447 m _Source: [Environment Canterbury’s Canterbury Maps Parks layer](https://gis.ecan.govt.nz/arcgis/rest/services/Public/Canterbury_Maps/MapServer/26), refreshed 2026-10-10. Distances are straight-line from the business pin, not walking routes._ - [Rolleston Avenue](https://www.chch.live/facility/car-park-29), Car park, 66 m ## The nearest other museums - [The Central Art Gallery](https://www.chch.live/business/the-central-art-gallery-christchurch-central-city), Christchurch Central City, 44 m - [Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities](https://www.chch.live/business/teece-museum-of-classical-antiquities-christchurch-central-city), Christchurch Central City, 80 m - [Canterbury Museum Pop-Up](https://www.chch.live/business/canterbury-museum-pop-up-christchurch-central-city), Christchurch Central City, 335 m - [Quake City](https://www.chch.live/business/quake-city-christchurch-central-city), Christchurch Central City, 517 m - [Ngaio Marsh House](https://www.chch.live/business/ngaio-marsh-house-cashmere), Cashmere, 4.5 km - [Te Whakairinga Mutu / Air Force Museum](https://www.chch.live/business/te-whakairinga-mutu-air-force-museum-wigram), Wigram, 6.7 km - [Mike Pero's Motorcycle Gallery](https://www.chch.live/business/mike-pero-s-motorcycle-gallery-avonhead), Avonhead, 6.7 km - [New Brighton Museum](https://www.chch.live/business/new-brighton-museum-new-brighton), New Brighton, 8.2 km - [Every one in Christchurch Central City](https://www.chch.live/businesses/museum#in-christchurch-central-city) ## Also in Christchurch Central City - [Christchurch Rebuild Tour](https://www.chch.live/business/christchurch-rebuild-tour-christchurch-central-city), Attractions, 36 m - [Christchurch Hop On Hop Off Tour](https://www.chch.live/business/christchurch-hop-on-hop-off-tour-christchurch-central-city), Attractions, 41 m - [Discover Christchurch Tour](https://www.chch.live/business/discover-christchurch-tour-christchurch-central-city), Attractions, 41 m - [YHA Rolleston House](https://www.chch.live/business/yha-rolleston-house-christchurch-central-city), Hostels, 42 m - [Paint 'n' Sip Studio](https://www.chch.live/business/paint-n-sip-studio-christchurch-central-city), Bars & pubs, 44 m - [Guided City Walks - Christchurch](https://www.chch.live/business/guided-city-walks-christchurch-christchurch-central-city), Attractions, 49 m - [Opening 2022: Boutique Arts Hotel](https://www.chch.live/business/opening-2022-boutique-arts-hotel-christchurch-central-city), Venues & events, 52 m - [Cellar Door](https://www.chch.live/business/cellar-door-christchurch-central-city), Bars & pubs, 59 m - [Ravenscar House](https://www.chch.live/business/ravenscar-house-christchurch-central-city), Galleries, 60 m - [The Fudge Cottage at the Arts Centre](https://www.chch.live/business/the-fudge-cottage-at-the-arts-centre-christchurch-central-city), Delis, 60 m - [Every kind of business in Christchurch Central City](https://www.chch.live/christchurch-central-city#s-biz) ## Reviews Rated **4.8** on Google, 128 reviews, as at October 2026. > An excellent exhibition of one of the titans of atomic physics. The exhibitions are at a level which are easily accessible to non-scientists but also informative enough to satisfy the scientifically literate., Monica Adams, 4 months ago > It was a small but compact place. I could recall chemistry classes in my school days. And it was free but you can donate some money. I liked the place a lot!, 까망진주, 8 months ago > It was extremely nostalgic, reminded of the time when I used to study about Rutherford's model in the school (and I ended up doing a Master's in Physics). He is one of the most underrated scientists and I never knew he was from New Zealand. His contribution to the field is extraordinary. Glad that I visited this place. Really interactive and loved his journey. It is good to see where the legend used to work. Very inspiring. P.S. NZ should brag a little more that he was from NZ Thank you for creating such a nice place. Loved it., Harsh Khatwani, a year ago ## Doors - [What stood on this ground](https://www.chch.live/before?lat=-43.5311366&lon=172.6280788) - [On the map](https://www.chch.live/map#-43.5311366,172.6280788,17) - [Documents that name it](https://www.chch.live/documents?q=Rutherford's%20Den) - [Christchurch Central City](https://www.chch.live/christchurch-central-city), the suburb - [The OSM record](https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/1157306038), fix it there ## Questions, answered briefly **What is Rutherford's Den?** A museum in Christchurch Central City, Christchurch. **Where is Rutherford's Den?** Arts Centre, Worcester Boulevard, Central City, on [Worcester Boulevard](https://www.chch.live/street/christchurch-central-city/worcester-boulevard). [On the map →](https://www.chch.live/map#-43.5311366,172.6280788,17) **Is Rutherford's Den still trading?** On OpenStreetMap and in the council’s 2024 directory. **How do you contact Rutherford's Den?** phone [03 366 0989](tel:033660989) (Find Christchurch, 2024), its [website](http://www.rutherfordsden.org.nz/), email [info@artscentre.org.nz](mailto:info@artscentre.org.nz) (Find Christchurch, 2024). **When is Rutherford's Den open?** Monday – Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm, as mapped on OpenStreetMap. **What other museums are near Rutherford's Den?** [The Central Art Gallery](https://www.chch.live/business/the-central-art-gallery-christchurch-central-city) (44 m), [Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities](https://www.chch.live/business/teece-museum-of-classical-antiquities-christchurch-central-city) (80 m), [Canterbury Museum Pop-Up](https://www.chch.live/business/canterbury-museum-pop-up-christchurch-central-city) (335 m), [every one in the city](https://www.chch.live/businesses/museum). **What’s near Rutherford's Den?** 6 other premises within a short walk, nearest [Bijou Cocktail Bar](https://www.chch.live/business/bijou-cocktail-bar-christchurch-central-city) (5 m); the Rolleston Ave near Gloucester St bus stop is 110 m away: route 8; a separated cycleway passes within 43 m; nearest park: [Armagh Reserve](https://www.chch.live/park/1254-armagh-reserve) (298 m). **What stood where Rutherford's Den is, before?** [The heritage-register places nearest the pin →](https://www.chch.live/before?lat=-43.5311366&lon=172.6280788) ## Sources - OpenStreetMap, named premises drawn and kept current by its contributors (ODbL) - Find Christchurch, the council’s business directory, a snapshot last touched about March 2024 (CC BY 4.0) - Christchurch District Plan layers, zones, commercial centres and scheduled heritage items, from the council’s open data (CC BY 4.0) - Christchurch City Council off-street parking layer (CC BY 4.0) - Environment Canterbury’s Metro stop record, distances measured here from the pin - Christchurch City Council’s cycleway layer, lanes, separated paths and the named Major Cycle Routes (CC BY 4.0) - Record assembled 2026-10-19 --- HTML: https://www.chch.live/business/rutherford-s-den-christchurch-central-city Directory: https://www.chch.live/businesses Category: https://www.chch.live/businesses/museum Suburb: https://www.chch.live/christchurch-central-city