Pendarves is a fine farming district in the Ashburton county. It is within five miles of Chertsey, which is forty-one miles by rail from Christchurch and twelve from Ashburton. The district lies to the south of Kyle; the land towards the sea, being of rather light quality, is devoted chiefly to sheep, although considerable areas, under cultivation, produce fair crops of grain. Only portions of the roads in the district are good for cycling.