The open area seen in this photograph and the foreground of the wooded
area was when I was a boy in the 1950's a restricted area owned by the
MOD. Just up the road was the main SRDE the Government site. Most of the
work at SRDE was aimed at making satellite earth stations cheaper and more
reliable. A test facility comprising a 40 ft earth terminal, a test laboratory
and various antennas was located on the cliff top. Technology developed
here was the forerunner to satellite TV and GPS, global positioning satellite
equipment, used throughout the world today.
As boy's we had all manner of explanations for the large white domes on
the cliff top that we could not get into no matter now we tried. These
white domes housed radar equipment and were the first of their kind in
the world.
The beach at this point was the subject many years ago to the grounding
of a ship in high seas, the story goes along the lines of the ship remaining
on the beach and local residents making it their home. On the cliff top
near the brick building a visitor will find the information board on Steamer
Point.
The woodland behind is the 32 acre cliff top woodland nature reserve known
as Steamer Point woodland reserve. Here Christchurch Council specialise
in wildlife conservation and habitate restoration. At the entrance is an
information centre which is open throughout the year. The walker through
the reserve gains spectacular views over Christchurch Bay with several
very pleasant places to have your picnic.
Alternatively Highcliffe Castle is only a short stroll along the beach
which can be accessed by steps down the cliff face. Turn back towards Avon
beach to lunch at Georges on Frairs Cliff beach, about midway along the
multicoloured beach huts or the good old faithful Avon Beach Cafe.
