Christchurch

Description:

Christchurch is a borough and town in Dorset on the English Channel coast, adjoining Bournemouth to the west, with the New Forest to the East. Historically in Hampshire until 1974, it is now the most easterly borough of Dorset and is effectively a part of the Bournemouth and Poole conurbation.

Christchurch, the town lies between the rivers Avon and Stour, both of which flow into Christchurch Harbour  rather than the sea. It has a number of tourist attractions including the Priory Church and a harbour with important nature reserves of SSSI status.

Today the borough extends north-west towards Bournemouth airport and eastwards along the coast. The airport, located at Hurn, lies about 2 miles from the centre of Christchurch.

The town has a mainline station with services to London Waterloo via Bournemouth and by road is served by the A35 to Southampton via the New Forest and by the Wessex Way (A338) to Bournemouth.

Christchurch Harbour  is a large salt marsh protected by a sand bar at its entrance and because of this feature it is only accessible by shallow draught boats. The entrance, known as the Run, has Mudeford Quay on one side and the sand bar on the other, access between the two points is via a ferry service. On the south side is Hengistbury Head, a tourist spot where you can take long country walks all over the head using the well defined gravel paths most of which are wheelchair accessible.

There is a café near the head and a scenic land train which plies between the café and the sand bar restaurant at the bottom known as the "Hut". This is where the famous beach huts are located, many of which have been painted in bright colours, have mezzanine floors and are given house names representative of the coastal location and the beautiful views over the harbour or out to sea. 

There is ample parking near the cafe (subject to charges), and the Head is also within walking distance of Southbourne and parts of Christchurch. On windy days the head is superb for kite flying.    

The town centre of Christchurch is dominated by Christchurch Priory and the High Street with its squares and parades of shops. The now ruined Christchurch Castle is of Norman origins. Nearby is Highcliffe Castle, a Grade 1 listed building. The older part of town by the Priory dates from Saxon times and still retains the street layout from that period. It is an interesting mixture of picturesque walks, public houses and coffee shops, some of which date back to the days of smuggling.

Part of the quay by the priory is known as The Quomps. The bandstand is used for free open-air concerts on Saturdays during the summer and is advertised locally as "Stomping on the Quomps."