The Castle Walk can be accessed from the Quomps, by Place Mill, entering from this end you start at the gardens, the entrance to which is at the bridge over the Mill stream. The high wall is part of the original walling to the church grounds and if you are not careful you will miss the walk which will be found in the top left hand corner of the garden. A narrow path that follows the Mill stream and takes you up a slight hill to the rear of the Priory, if you wish divert left to the main entrance of the Priory now or leave it for another day.

If you wish to follow this walk as described carry straight on under the arches and past the gardens of remembrance to the peaceful gardens behind the bowls green where you will find a mausoleum. Follow the path to the far corner, through the gap in the wall into the Castle grounds. The Keep sits atop the artificial mound and was built in the late 11th century to protect the river access to the interior of Wessex. Ruins maybe but worth some time and effort in climbing to the top of the mound.

To your right is the Christchurch bowling green beyond which is the Norman house dating from around 1160 it has the oldest Norman chimney left in the country. The house was in its day luxurious and built for the constable or bailiff of Christchurch, needless to say a very influential man. Spend some time looking round this area it is interesting, before you walk towards the main road. Just inside the exit gates place your partner or the kids in the stocks and have a five minute break.

On leaving through the gates, turn left and immediately on your left is the New Forest Perfumery now a very pleasant cafe to offer the traveller some sustenance. The building housed the Court Leet in its day, a form of judiciary for the area. One of the tools of punishment of the day was the Ducking Stool which can be found in Ducking Stool Lane.

To reach the stool, cross the road from the Perfumery and take the lane alongside Dennises estate agents. At the next junction turn right and you are in the lane, walk to the end of the road and you will find the stool by the Mill stream.