Avon beach, Friars Cliff, Steamer Point make up the main beaches in the borough, all are sandy but with areas of pebbles. Clean water, safe bathing and good fun for the kids these are the first places to visit in good weather. Visit our pages Avon beachSteamer Point and Frairs Cliff for pictures and more details.
Mudeford harbour is a must whatever the weather, go crabbing, eat drink or just wonder
the area. The fresh fish stall is exactly that you won't get better anywhere
and the harbour is full of wildlife. One of our best kept secrets it really
is worth spending the time even if you do have to wrap up against the elements,
on a fine day you won't want to leave and neither will the kids
Our pages Mudeford Quay tell you about it and the Battle of Mudeford pages tell its most infamous story.
Sea fishing trips are available from the harbour, take a look at the notices on the quayside.
Mudeford sands the short ferry ride across the RUN takes you to Mudeford Sands and Hengistbury
Head. The sands are the place to be for sandy beaches but get very busy.
Hengistbury Head has been occupied since the stone age and has iron age
diggings on the hill. A wealth of history, fun for the kids and tall stories
the head is always worth a visit. If you promise not to tell anyone the
quietest beach, the sandiest beach and my favourity is on the other side
of the head. Not quite at Southbourne the rugged coastline, and beach make
for the best day out with the kids on a good day and there is something
about the place on a cold windy day that you will fall in love with.
Highcliffe castle as featured in our pages is a wonderful place to spend a day or any part of it. On a sunny day the cool walks under the trees are a pleasure and the beach at the foot of the cliff great for the kids. On a wet day maybe not so good but worth a look for an hour and a fine place for a cuppa or lunch. For more info look at our Highcliffe Castle page.
The Hayloft in Wick Lane is an Arts Centre run by Christchurch and District Arts Council with a wide range of exhibitions and workshops, featuring textiles, painting and much much more.
The Regents Centre in the High Street has a constantly changing programme of events which can be accessed via www.regentscentre.co.uk What used to be the towns cinema when I was a lad the building has been
has been taken over by locals and now operates showing the latest films,
stage shows, live entertainment, exhibitions and much more. Their site
is always worth a visit if you are stuck for something to do and particularly
if the weather is not so good.
Southern Electric Museum is housed in the old power station in Bargates which is not quite the size of the Priory and is packed with electrically powered items from a tram to a toaster. Make science a fun subject and give them a visit. Open from Easter until the end of September, Monday to Thursday from midday until 4 p.m. at a cost of Adults £2.50, Senior Citizens £2.00 and under 14's £1.00 there is an interesting few hoursa to be spent on a wet summers day. Visit www.scottish-southern.co.uk
Serendipity Sams is a party and play centre in Reid Street and offers indoor play for children
363 days a year. Children up to 11 years of age can visit, parties and
discos can be arranged where food can be served although parent supervision
is required.
The Priory our local church and probably the one thing you cannot visit Christchurch and not see, even the kids should find the tales of interest, take a look at our page on the Priory. Over 1000 years old there are plenty of stories to go round. If you choose to follow any of the walks round the town shown on our site the history is readily available within our pages.
The Redhouse Musuem I suppose everyone will tell you how great their local musuem is, in our case i think we have every right to do so. As a lad I spent a lot of time there and found it absorbing. Good day or bad its worth a visit, free to locals with proof of that and only a couple of pounds to visitors it is crammed full of natural and local history, again a world of stories to keep young and old engaged for a few hours. visit the Redhouse website.
Stewarts Garden centre a strange one to recommend but none the less somewhere to go either for the Maise Maze they build every year which is obviously seasonal based on when the maise grows. Great for the kids and for adults it makes for a good few hours fun. The garden centre itself as with most is prehaps not the best place to take the kids except at Christmas when they do a good Father Christmas grotto. But for adults, the first modern garden centre opened in the sixties it changed the traditional nursery into the modern day centre. In their cafe good food can be purchased at reasonable prices and the history is in the form of photographs on the wall and all the usual stuff found in such places. Well worth a visit rian or shine. www.stewarts.co.uk
The Ski Centre the Country's widest ski centre, useable all year round and in a pretty setting on Matchams Lane. Five miles north of Christchurch it offers the visitor both ski-ing and snowboarding and a challenge to both the beginner and the more experienced. You can also ski-bob and ringoing whatever they are, if you know then chances are you want to do it and you can here. visit www.christchurch-skicentre.com
Alice in Wonderland Claims the largest hedge maze in the South and a host of attractions following the Alice theme. Daily shows in the Alice Theatre with all your favourite characters and numerous rides and slides. Fun for all the family but particularly the younger members of the family. Check out www.aliceinwonderlandpark.co.uk
Bournemouth Aviation Museum both civil and military aircraft are on display with examples of the Hunter, Meteor, Vampire, Provost and Venom to name but a few. Many are still air worthy and are flown from Bournemouth International Airport. again check out www.aviation-museum.co.uk
St Catherines Hill the Hill overlooks the town indeed look inland and you can see it from
almost all points of the compass. 163 feet it is the ideal place to survey
to area in all directions and provides those who like a pleasant stroll
the perfect venue. Views, wildlife and a calm, quiet atmosphere are all
readily available to anyone wishing to find a quite moment.
Fitness at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre, the council backed fitness centre, it
boasts the usual gym, swimming pool, squash and badminton courts a range
of childrens activities and an 18 hole golf course. The latter may not
be the most challenging but what a location, next to the River Avon with
the Priory as a back drop its worth a couple of quid just for the views.
No website with this one, I keep offering but there you go, ring then 01202
477987.
