It’s easy to spend time in Christchurch. Go to explore the town’s handsome high street, quaint little alleys and pretty lanes lined with homes and houses dating back through the centuries. It’s compact, flat and easy to walk about with plenty of parking.
It’s thought Christchurch dates as far back 350 AD. It was originally known as Twynham, meaning ‘between two rivers’ after the River Avon and the River Stour which flow through the town. In and around Bargates and the high street are lots of independent shops, boutiques and art galleries. At the far end is a large Waitrose, Marks and Spencer Food Hall and an exceptional French patisserie bakers shop called Mark Bennet. Each Monday, the high street is closed to traffic and taken over by a large street market selling food, clothes, homeware, artisan goods – in fact, almost anything you can think of.
Saxon Square is often the scene of local entertainers and musicians and a lovely spot to pause for a coffee. Explore the curious alleys and lanes and discover Christchurch’s historical quarter. Behind two of the oldest pubs in the high street, The Ship Inn and Ye Olde George (both of which serve great food), is a lane leading to a replica of the town’s Ducking Stool. It was used in medieval times to punish ‘scolds’ and poor souls accused of witchcraft by repeatedly submerging them into the Mill Stream.
Take time to visit the Red House Museum and gardens which plots the history of the town and hosts some fascinating exhibitions. The museum was originally the Christchurch Workhouse, where the very poor and destitute needing shelter and food went as a last resort to stay alive. They were often sick and infirm, as well as orphans, tramps and deserted wives. Those fit enough to work (this included children) spent long days making clothes, shoes, doing laundry, chain making, road repairs and a long list of miserable and quite often painful, horrid tasks to pay their way.
Christchurch Priory dominates the town from both land and sea. It’s a huge, statuesque and magnificent building, erected on the site of a monastery founded some 900 years ago. The structure that stands today was started in Norman times and extended over the centuries. If you can, go to one of the Priory’s concerts, recitals and performances which attract choirs and artists from around the world.
From the Priory is a lovely little walk through gardens and along the banks of the River Avon to the ruins of the 11th century Christchurch Castle and Norman Constable’s House – reputed to have the oldest chimney in Britain. Both the Castle and House are free to visit.
Another popular walk and pleasant way to spend a couple of hours is to head to the Town Quay and large grassy park known as The Quomps. There are often festivals and events that take place around the bandstand, including the summer Jazz Festival Stompin’ on the Quomps and Christchurch Food Festival. This park is dog-friendly and there’s a fenced off children’s play area and a splash Park (lots of small fountains of water which shoot from the ground) which little ones absolutely love in the summer months as an alternative to a day on the beach. The Quomps has a promenade along the banks of the River Stour which is a busy waterway for small boats, paddle borders, kayaks and canoes, as well as greedy swans and ducks who gather here for bread nibbles from passers-by.
At the far end of the park is Wick Ferry which runs across the river to Wick village, offering an alternative view and river walk. The ferry runs every day (weather and tide permitting) from Easter until the end of October. If you fancy hiring a dinky motorboat to explore the river yourself, you can hire them from Wick Ferry or from the Town Quay by the band stand. The boats seat up to six passengers and you don’t need a license.
Entertainment in the town is typically low key and centres around superb live music in pubs such as The Thomas Trip and Soho. Christchurch’s art deco Regent Centre in the high street shows films from the latest blockbusters to live screenings of London shows and theatres around the country. In addition, famous faces, artists and performances grace the stage of this beautiful, completely refurbished building which is run by a team of dedicated volunteers.
Evenings out centre around good food and drink. If you’re a gin lover, a ‘must visit’ is to Dirty Gerties on Castle Street who have a huge range of gins (as well as other tipples). The building, with its low walls and exposed beams, is almost 600 years old and was originally a butchers shop, you can still see the old butchers hooks above the window. Other good eateries include Splinters, James and White, The Boat House and Alex Aitken at The Jetty in the grounds of Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa.
Find a holiday cottage in Christchurch
See the full portfolio of New Forest Cottages