Christchurch Tourist Guide Dorset History Christchurch Priory

Christchurch Tourist Inforrmation

Christchurch is both a borough and a town east of Bournemouth. The town nestles around Christchurch Harbour that has been the site of settlements since the Iron Age. The borough extends north around Bournemouth Airport and east to Highcliffe-on-Sea.

There is a wealth of things to do in and around Christchurch. If you like visiting historic sites there's plenty of Saxon and Norman buildings in Christchurch and of course Christchurch Priory that dominates the town centre.

If it's a more active holiday you're after Christchurch harbour is the ideal place to set sail, take a harbour cruise or a river trip up the River Avon or River Stour.

Christchurch Information Centre, 49 High Street, Christchurch BH23 1AS. Tel: 01202 471780. Fax: 01202 476816. Email: enquiries@christchurchtourism.info

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Christchurch Priory

Christchurch originally developed as Twynham. When the Normans arrived they decided to replace the Saxon church, which had stood since 800 AD, with a grand new building. Legend has it that when building the present Priory one of the roof beams was cut too short. The carpenters not knowing what to do left for the day but when they came back the next day the beam had extended overnight to fit exactly. They attributed this miracle to Jesus, also a carpenter, and the church and town became known as Christ's Church.

Christchurch Priory is considered the finest church in England and at 311 feet long it is the longest. It's an impressive building with a distinctive Norman style. You can also spot three Gothic architectural styles, early English, Decorated and Perpendicular and Tudor Renaissance. The inside is beautiful with tall arches sweeping up above, stunning decorated reredos and you can see the miraculous beam in the Ambulatory.

With so much to see it's well worth picking up a guided tour, you'll need to pre-book. Alternatively there are special evening guided tours organised throughout the year. St Michael's Loft Museum is in what was the grammar school for boys and has an exhibition on the Priory's history. You can also pick up a guide book from the Priory's Gift Shop.

Entrance is free to the church but a donation is suggested which goes towards the upkeep of this magnificent church.

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Christchurch Historic Attractions

The Priory Quarter is the oldest part of Christchurch and its Saxon layout has largely been retained. It's a pleasant place to stroll around with a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants as well as the historic character buildings.

Just north of the Priory is what remains of the Norman castle built around 1100 AD. It was the centre of a siege during the English Civil War when a Parliamentary force held the Castle and the Priory grounds against the Royalists. Nearby is the twelfth century riverside 'Constable's House'. This is an early example of domestic architecture which includes a rare Norman chimney.

Down by the Christchurch Quay is Place Mill which was mentioned in the Domesday Book. It is an original Saxon watermill that has been restored to working order. It ground corn right up until 1908. You can now visit it to see the workings of the mill and and its collection of milling artefacts. A resident artist and adjoining gallery display local works and changing exhibitions. Admission is free. Place Mill, The Quay, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 1BY. Tel: 01202 487626.

The Red House Museum and Gardens is housed in what was the town's workhouse built in 1764. It now houses collections on local social and natural history. The museum is open Tues-Sat 10am-5pm. Sunday 2-5pm (last admission 4.30pm). Admission is fee. Red House Museum, Quay Road, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 1BU. Tel: 0845 603 5635

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Stour Valley Way

The Stour Valley Way is a sixty four mile long distance walking route that runs through Sturminster Newton. It starts at the Dorset Coast at Christchurch where the river flows into the sea and ends at its source in Stourhead in Wiltshire.

The route wends its way through the Dorset countryside via Christchurch, Wimborne Minster, Blandford Forum and Sturminster Newton. It is waymarked with a distinctive kingfisher logo.

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