If travelling from Christchurch you need to leave via Bridge Street passing over the 2 bridges towards Purewell. As you reach Purewell crossroads, now a roundabout you will pass The Rising Sun, formally a local pub now a Thai Restaurant with a very good reputation, although I have not yet tried it. At the roundabout turn right and on your right next to the Motorist Centre is the local Indian, good food but odd decor. Follow the road a few hundred yards and you will reach The Ship Inn, a pub dating back to the 1700's.

Only a short stretch along the road from The Ship is Stanpit Nature Reserve, covering approximately 150 acres of unspoiled wetland which adjoins Christchurch Harbour and the River Avon. Popular with a great variety of birds, plants and wild life it is a treasure hidden away from public view and is protected with a passion by local residents making it well worth a visit. Your stroll can be as long or as short as you like but however long you spend there keep your eyes open and you will not be disappointed.

Follow the road through Standpit to Mudeford Quay, be careful or you'll miss the entrance, a few landmarks to guide you, as you pass the Pines, a good coffee stop, you are about 1 minute away, the Nelson pub is on your left and then the Avonmouth Hotel. Just round the corner and on your left a parade of shops and you only have a few yards to go. After a central island in the road there is a central right turn lane painted on the road surface, use this to make the right turn into the Quay road.

Straight away you will view the harbour, make your way to the quay proper and park up. Take a walk along the waters edge by the Run to the lobster pot storage area, here you will find the Haven Inn serving fantastic home made food and snacks, my favorite a pint of prawns. Next to the Haven the cafe and behind that Batchalors fish stall. If you have tasted fish from the supermarket you will never go back to them again, Batchalor's fish is fresh and the difference in taste is unbelievable, try the trout or Christchurch bay flounder or for those of you that like your shell fish the have it all.

At Batchalors you can also buy a crab line and bait, if you want to keep the kids happy or even gran try your hand at crabbing, everyone does and the crabs although small are very obliging. All your favorite beers and spirits are on sale at The Haven as is good food as I have said, you could spend the day here and still want to come back for more. If you do visit please look at the Life Boat station and throw you spare coppers in the hat, they are worth their weight in gold those chaps.

We have a small but thriving local fishing community at the Quay and in the summer you can go out Mackerel fishing for a small fee. There is a ferry across the Run for those who fancy a walk over Hengistbury Head and other trips as advertised on the Quay at any given time. If you get the chance stay and watch the sun set its amazing. From the Quay you can walk along the prom towards Avon Beach where the facilities are second to none including beach hut hire.