Events at Granville Street, Trentham

About Granville Street

Granville Street is a quiet cul-de-sac in the Trentham suburb of Upper Hutt (Wellington region) (en.nearbywiki.org). It isn’t a public performance hall but primarily a residential street. The only notable institution here is the Hutt International Boys’ School (HIBS) campus at 3 Granville Street (en.nearbywiki.org). This school site includes the old Burnham Lodge building from Trentham Racecourse (uhcl.recollect.co.nz). In 1994 HIBS moved its campus to Trentham and incorporated Burnham Lodge into its grounds (digitalnz.org). Apart from school buildings and private homes, the street itself has no dedicated stage, marquee or entertainment centre.

Because Granville Street is mostly homes and the HIBS campus, it has little capacity for crowds. There are no official seating plans or general-admission areas on this street – events would take place in the school hall or outdoors. Architecturally, the street features plain 20th-century homes and school buildings rather than any ornate theatre façade. The “venue’s” character comes from its school setting and the nearby horse-racing heritage of Trentham Racecourse. In fact, Burnham Lodge (once part of the racecourse) still stands in the background of HIBS buildings (uhcl.recollect.co.nz) (digitalnz.org).

Events and Programming

Granville Street itself has no recurring public concert series or festivals. The only gatherings here are school-related. HIBS hosts assemblies, prizegivings and student performances in its auditorium. The school emphasizes performing arts, so musical nights, drama concerts and choirs are part of the program (www.hibs.school.nz). For example, a regional school band competition (“Rockshop Bandquest”) was held in the HIBS hall in August 2024 (www.eventfinda.co.nz). Parents often attend these events; one recent entry lists a “Leavers Assembly” in the HIBS Auditorium at 9am on Oct 28 (www.hibs.school.nz).

Aside from school shows, there are no ticketed events on Granville Street. All civic and community events in Trentham (like race days at Trentham Racecourse down the road) use other venues. In practice, if a concert or community meeting happens at HIBS, it would be advertised through the school or local channels. There is typically no publicly available schedule for “Granville Street” – you would need to check HIBS newsletters or local noticeboards for any upcoming school concerts or events in the hall.

Tickets and Booking

There is no conventional box office or online ticketing platform at “Granville Street”. Any events in the HIBS hall are managed by the school or event organizer. For example, the Rockshop Bandquest likely sold tickets through the community music network, not a Granville Street ticket window. If there were a HIBS concert open to the public, tickets (if required) would be handled by HIBS administration or sold at the door. In short, you can’t buy a ticket specifically labeled “Granville Street” – check with HIBS or the event promoter instead.

Generally, school functions like assemblies are free and for families, while special performances might charge a nominal fee or koha (donation). Ticket prices (if any) would be modest – for example, past HIBS shows have charged only a few dollars. The best strategy is to look at the HIBS school website or local noticeboards for announcements. There is no pre-sale window like larger theatres; often tickets (if used) are sold on the day of the event by the organizers.

Seating and Layout

Any events at Granville Street would take place in the Hutt International Boys’ School hall, which is a standard indoor auditorium. Seating is likely fixed rows of chairs or benches facing a stage at one end. There is no balcony or elevated gallery – it’s a single-level hall. The best seats are generally toward the centre of the room and a few rows back from the stage, which give clear sightlines. The front row is fine for a close view, but it may be very near performers. Side seats could have a more angled perspective.

There are no general-admission standing areas – it’s all seated. VIP or reserved seating doesn’t really apply here, except maybe a “front row for guests of honour.” Acoustics are typical for a school hall (not a professional concert hall), so sound may echo a bit. Audience members have noted that the HIBS auditorium is small enough that even back rows see the stage clearly. Avoid seats right at the extreme left or right if possible, as the view might be partially obstructed by walls.

Getting There and Parking

Granville Street is located off Camp Street in Trentham, Upper Hutt (postcode 5019) (en.nearbywiki.org). By car, reach Trentham via State Highway 2 (Fergusson Drive): take the Totara Park or Silverstream exit, then follow roads to Ward/Barton Street, and turn onto Camp Street. Granville Street is a short cul-de-sac off Camp Street. On-street parking is very limited, as it’s a narrow residential road. After business hours you can often park legally on Camp Street or Barton Street nearby, but always mind any “No Stopping” markings.

For public transport, the closest train station is Trentham Station on the Hutt Valley (Wairarapa) Line. This station is about a 5–10 minute walk (500–600m) from Granville Street, roughly along Camp Street. The station features a Park-and-Ride lot where you can leave a car for free during the day (mapcarta.com). Take any Metlink Wellington train on the Upper Hutt or Masterton route and get off at Trentham. Bus services (Tranzit / Metlink #110, #112 and others) run along Fergusson Drive and Woburn Road with stops in Trentham village; from there it’s a short walk or taxi to Granville Street.

Rideshare or taxi drop-offs are easiest at the end of Granville Street or in nearby Trentham Village. Note that Granville is residential, so unloading on the street is fine but parking afterwards is not – move the vehicle to Trentham Station or a side street. The official address (Granville Street, Upper Hutt) can be used with mapping apps (en.nearbywiki.org). If you arrive by train, use trailblazer: exit Trentham Station onto Camp Street, then walk southeast (toward the racecourse) and turn northwest on Granville.

Inside the Venue

Inside the HIBS auditorium you’ll find a school-hall atmosphere rather than a fancy theatre lobby. There is usually a foyer or entrance area where attendees gather. Expect neutral tones, some wall posters or banners related to the school, and a door leading into the performance hall. Security or ushers are just teachers or parents supervising rather than professional guards. You may pass through a simple ticket-check station or sign-in table upon entry if required.

No formal cloakroom or coat check is available. You may be asked to carry any large bags or umbrellas to your seat. There are no on-site bars or cafes selling alcohol; events (especially school functions) serve only light refreshments, if any – usually parents bring home baking or juice, or food is sold at the door. Restrooms are located adjacent to the hall inside the school (they are standard school lavatories with a separate disabled toilet). Note that at school events, the canteen or “dairy” kiosks on campus are typically closed to the public.

Mobile phone signal is generally good inside; HIBS is in town, not in a signal blind spot. There is no public Wi-Fi for visitors, so you should rely on cellular data. If you need to stay connected (e.g. to check updates or pick-up instructions), consider bringing a portable charger; events can run a few hours. The hall is heated/cooled by school HVAC, so the temperature is usually comfortable year-round (NZ style – no ice-cold AC or stuffy heat). Overall, the setting is informal and family-friendly.

Nearby Amenities

Despite being a quiet residential street, Granville Street is a short distance from Trentham Village, which has several handy amenities. Within a 5–10 minute walk you’ll find:

• Quinn’s Post – a popular restaurant and bar at 2 Ward Street (Main Road), serving New Zealand pub fare (quinnspost.co.nz).
• Boardies Bar & Cafe – a local eatery on Main Road known for sandwiches, coffee and a casual dinner menu.
• Swiss Deli & Bakery – a small café/deli on Main Road for pies, fish’n’chips and coffee.
• Trentham Shopping Centre – on the corner of Main and Boundary, with a convenience store, dairy (grocery), and a takeaway shop.

For accommodation, the Trentham Motel is nearby at 438 Fergusson Drive (www.trenthammotel.co.nz). It offers motel suites and has 24-hour reception; you can reach it via Camp or Fergusson Drive. Other Hutt Valley hotels (like Lower Hutt’s Holiday Inn Express or Belton Lodge) are a 10–15 minute drive away. On-site parking at the motel is free for guests.

Trentham Memorial Park is very close by (Barton and Domain Roads) and offers open green space, sports fields and playgrounds (www.upperhutt.govt.nz). If you arrive early, it’s a pleasant place to picnic before a show. In booking your day, note that Trentham village has bus service into the late evening, but runs stop around 9–10pm. Otherwise plan on a taxi or rideshare for late departures.

What Makes This Venue Special

Although Granville Street is not a “theatre”, its uniqueness lies in its heritage and local culture. The incorporation of the old Burnham Lodge building gives it a direct link to Upper Hutt’s past – the school’s hall sits right on the old racecourse site (uhcl.recollect.co.nz) (digitalnz.org). This gives events here a quaint, community feel unlike a sterile city venue. Visitors often comment on the nostalgic mid-century architecture of the lodge and school buildings as they mingle with students in school uniform.

Another special aspect is HIBS’s strong performing-arts tradition (www.hibs.school.nz). Parents will often see art and music students rehearsing in local parks or the hall. Even though the street itself is small, it carries the energy of young performers and the tight-knit Upper Hutt community. Finally, the venue’s proximity to Trentham Racecourse adds character: you’ll often hear distant hooves or see jockeys warming up, reminding you that this little side street is part of a hub of Wellington’s racing history. In sum, Granville Street matters mainly for its people and heritage, not for flashy facilities.

Visitor Tips and Information

Accessibility: The HIBS auditorium is on ground level with ramps, so wheelchair access is generally good. There are disabled bathrooms inside and ramp access to the entrance. If you need assistance, contact HIBS ahead of time and a staff member can guide you.

What to bring: There are usually no prohibited items beyond common-sense restrictions (no fireworks, weapons, etc.). A small bag is fine; full bag searches are unlikely. For comfort, bring a sweater if you’re unsure of the hall’s heating, as NZ winters can be chilly even indoors. Since there’s no concession stand, you might pack a snack or purchase something in Trentham village beforehand.

Dress code: Casual attire is normal. There is no formal dress code for school events – jeans or smart casual are all common. If it’s a special concert (e.g. a spring concert), some guests wear slightly nicer clothes, but nothing formal is required.

Avoid common mistakes: Don’t assume it’s a big entertainment centre. There’s no marquee or large foyer – it can look like any school entrance. Arrive a bit early to find parking or seats. Also, remember this is a neighbourhood – keep noise down when arriving late at night. Double-check the postcode (Upper Hutt) so your GPS doesn’t accidentally send you to the unrelated Granville Streets elsewhere in New Zealand or Australia.

Age restrictions: There are no strict age limits. Family-friendly events mean children are welcome, and the school environment is safe for all ages. (One exception: if a function serves alcohol on site – unlikely at HIBS – under-18s would not be served by law.)

Local insights: If attending a sacramental or cultural event (e.g. a church service held at HIBS), know that Granville Street is largely used by families from the local parishes. They often arrive early to chat at the park opposite the school. Also, summer performances may slide outside to also use the park lawn; in that case prepare for an outdoor element. Internet connection (4G/5G) is good, but Wi-Fi will only be on the school’s guest network if announced (ask the staff). Finally, note that trash bins are limited – if there’s a break, take your rubbish with you or use bins in Trentham village to keep the street tidy.

Frequently Asked Questions