The High Street, Castle Street and Church Street all meet outside of the George Inn, needless perhaps to say Church Street is the road that runs up to the Priory, you can't miss it, many of the oldest buildings in the town are in this area. As you make your way to the Priory, you simply can not visit Christchurch and not do so, you will pass some of the best places to eat.

On the right hand side of the road at the junction with Wick Lane is a coffee shop, ice cream parlour and cafe'. Whilst you are here look a few feet into Wick Lane, on the same side of the road as the cafe' and hidden in the courtyard under the arch is the old bus terminus. On your left a little further up Church Street one of the authors favourite Italian restaurants, Pinocohio's, so full of atmosphere and on every visit only the best food. You can not book and will often have to queue to get in but believe me its worth the wait. Almost opposite is a newly opened Italian Delicatessen providing a true taste of Italy for your lunch and supper.

Beyond Pinocohio's is the Soho Bar offering coffee, alcohol and food, an up market continental restaurant. On the other side of the road, the Copper Skillet, a building dating back to 1905, I can remember this restaurant as a child, always good quality food for all the family it is the restaurant of longevity and a good place to eat at any time of day. Next to Soho, Splinters, if you like fish restaurants, and I certainly do, this is one of 2 in the area that are exceptional, try it you will never find better. The last commercial premises before you reach the Priory is Ye Old Eight Bells a gift shop that is full of jars of sweets, collectables, gifts, crafts and haberdashery goods. The building dates back to 1450 and was until 1907 a pub popular with smugglers, now filled in, a network of tunnels left the pub reaching as far as Mudeford to aid the towns smugglers in their evasion of the Excise who resided in Bridge Street, so the rumour goes.

The terminus mentioned above is visible beyond the entrance to private premises and is sometimes behind locked gates. Trolley buses ran between Christchurch and Bournemouth until 1936 when they were replaced by trams, I remember the trams and used them with my parents when I was a boy. The turn table is reported to be the only remaining original one in the Country and is complete and I understand in working order.