Christchurch nestles snuggly between the New Forest and Bournemouth on the Dorset coast at the point at which the rivers Stour and Avon meet. Christchurch Is a Town who's origins date from the Stone Age 2.5 million years ago. Evidence of the long inhabitation of the area can be found at the Barrows on St Catherine's Hill, which is located to the west of the present town, The Barrows provide evidence not only of settlement during the Stone Age, but traces of occupation have been uncovered that say the area was inhabited during the Bronze Age,- ( the beginning of the Bronze Age in Britain can be put around 2,000 BC. Although not certain, ) and also the Iron Age have been found, (600 BC - AD 43 ) this is particularly evident from archelogical discoveries on Mill Plain. It was during the Iron Age that Hengistbury Head became an important trading center dominating the area. The Roman's also occupied the area in (AD 43 - AD 410), And Hengistbury Head became a small Roman settlement which was possibly known as Dunium. Unfortunately little is recorded of Christchurch after the departure of the Romans in 410 AD.

After the Roman's departed there was a power vacuum, this was filled by the Saxons who invaded from Germany ( 430 AD-6oo AD ) The country was being frequently raided by the Dane's, who are better know to history as the Vikings. These raids continued virtually unopposed as the Saxon's did not fight as a cohesive unit, until the legendary Warrior King, King Alfred the Great, came to the throne in AD 871, he rallied the whole country to resist the Dane's showing them that in order to confront these utterly, ruthless, raiders, they the people had  to be disciplined, determined and above all organized into a cohesive fighting entity. So he developed the strategy of fortified places - known as burghs - to which soon as the alarm was raised people would flock, the women and children, for safety and the men to concentrate and confront the marauding viking raiders, as a disciplined well organized fighting force. The raids continued however until the Dane's final defeat. This defeat was inflicted not by King Arthur, but by his son Edward. For in 893 AD, the Danes landed in 250 ships at Lympne in Kent, this was not a raid but a full scale invasion, they eventually arrived in Surrey, to pillage and destroy but were met at Farnham by the Saxons under Edward, who heavily defeated the Danes. Not surprisingly after this setback the Danes considered it not conducive to their health to continue as they had been doing, and the raids ended. In Christchurch during the 1970s excavations uncovered part of these old Saxon defenses and the entrance to which is believed to have been sited near where Bow House now stands in the town's High Street. Excavations by the Mill Stream, in the town center have also revealed a Saxon cemetery. Yes the town of Christchurch like many towns and villages of the west country is steeped in early English history. Christchurch's unique combination of fascinating heritage, beautiful coastline, peaceful rivers, and spectacular natural harbour, appeals to all ages and provides all the ingredients to make your visit extra special.

The center of the town is dominated by Christchurch Priory and a very prominent High Street with its squares, and parades, containing all the shopping facilities you will need plus. restaraunt's, and café's and not forgetting the inevitable local pubs. Christchurch forms part of the South-East Dorset conurbation along with the towns of Bournemouth, and Poole, and other adjacent areas of East Dorset. In Christchurch there are several interesting listed buildings including the thatched 14th century Old Court House, and the Georgian Red House. and Highcliff Castle which as castles go is a bit of a johnny come lately, only being built in 1835.It was built for the 1st Baron Stuart de Rothesay John Stuart, who founded Kew Gardens in London, the castles landscaping was done by the famous Victorian landscaper; Lancelot (Capability ) Brown it stands on the site of High Cliff,.The site previously housed a Georgian mansion that had belonged to Charles Stuart's grandfather John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute.

Today the Castle is owned and maintained by Christchurch Borough Council. These delightful interesting buildings, provide all the extra ingredients to make your visit extra special. The harbour, is a large salt marsh, protected by a sand bar at the entrance. Unfotunatly the harbour is only accessible to shallow draught boats due to the sand bars at the entrance. The entrance, known as the Run, has Mudeford Quay on one side and the sand bar on the other. Considerable tides flow here, up to 6 knots during spring tides. The harbour was used in the 18th century for that activity so belove of the west country yes smuggling. The harbour is enclosed by Hengistbury head. There is a nature reserve situated just below where the rivers Avon and Stour converge.It is a protected wildlife refuge and is home to large populations of swans, waders and other bird life. With so much history and set in a beautiful location the old town of Swanage is a great place to holiday.!

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