Discover Eskdale: parks, cycling and history

Eskdale offers several specific starting points for planning a trip: the Eskdale War Memorial Church and its personal story of remembrance, Eskdale Park beside the Esk River, a mountain bike park in the privately owned Pan Pac Tangoio Forest, as well as wine tasting and restaurant options. If you’re looking for hotels in Eskdale, you may want to decide which of these themes to prioritise during your stay: cycling, local history, time in the park or food and drink. This lets you choose where to stay based on the activities that matter most to you.

Church and local history

Eskdale War Memorial Church is located on State Highway 5 in Eskdale. It was dedicated on 3 December 1920. It was built by local landowner Thomas Clark and his daughter Annie in memory of Annie’s husband, Lieutenant Percival Moore Beattie, who was killed at Le Quesnoy on 4 November 1918. The names and dates give the dedication a specific historical context and make the church a point of interest for travellers interested in the area’s history.

The church welcomes everyone who wishes to visit, attend services or join the faith community. As visiting arrangements can change, check them before planning a visit.

Eskdale Park by the river

Eskdale Park covers 12 hectares beside the Esk River, of which 7 hectares are open to the public. The entrance is on Shaw Road, which branches off State Highway 5, the Napier-Taupo Road. On the southern side there is a designated off-leash dog area, extending to the end of the access road.

Restoration work is ongoing, and facilities and access conditions may change. Check current information if you’re planning a visit to the park, especially if your visit depends on access to a particular area. When planning your park visit, note the area open to the public: 7 of the total 12 hectares.

Cycling: Eskdale and the wider destination

For cyclists, it’s worth comparing the types of options available. Eskdale has a mountain bike park in the privately owned Pan Pac Tangoio Forest; its operating conditions may vary. Check the latest information before planning a visit. In the wider Hastings District destination, the Hawke’s Bay Trails are among New Zealand’s 23 Great Rides and offer 200 kilometres of easy-riding cycle trails through the Hastings District and Napier. A mountain bike park and easy-riding cycle trails are different ways to plan a cycling trip. Base your choice on the kind of cycling you’re looking for.

Wine tasting and dining

Linden Estate produces boutique wines from the Hawke’s Bay region in Eskdale and offers wine tasting to visitors. A tasting at the winery can be booked using a booking form; the listed address is on State Highway 5 in Eskdale. Check availability before your trip.

Valley d’Vine Restaurant serves lunch from 12 pm to 3 pm Thursday through Sunday, and dinner from 6 pm until late Thursday through Saturday. Confirm current opening hours and arrangements before your visit. Together with wine tasting, this offers a culinary element to consider when planning your trip; the listed hours vary by day of the week and meal.

Hastings District as a wider travel connection

The Hastings Heritage Trails are also part of the wider Hastings District destination and take visitors through cultural, historical and scenic highlights. An article from Hastings District Council dated 4 May 2026 describes them as open year-round, free to access and not requiring bookings. If these conditions are important to your plans, check the latest information before your visit. This allows you to consider Eskdale’s local story of remembrance and the Heritage Trails in Hastings District as distinct cultural points of interest.

Discover more destinations: Takapau, Bridge Pa, Waipawa, Havelock North, Wallingford, Raukawa, Elsthorpe, Patoka

For the wider travel overview: Hawkes Bay.