Christchurch

An excellent way of exploring Christchurch is to follow the Blue Plaques Millennium Trail, which commemorates sites around the town from Neolithic times to the 20th century. A booklet detailing this trip through time is available from the tourist information centre in the High Street.

Pride of place on the trail goes to Christchurch Priory, a magnificent building begun in 1094 and reputedly the longest parish church in England, extending for 311feet. It has an impressive Norman nave, some superb medieval carving, and a vast 14th century stone reredos with a Tree of Jesse. Other treasures include the magnificent Salisbury Chantry, some fine misericords and, in the beautiful Lady Chapel, a pendant vault believed to be the earliest of its kind in the country. From the Lady Chapel, a stairway of 75 steps leads to St Michael’s Loft, originally a school for novice monks and later a grammar school for boys. It now houses St Michael’s Loft Museum, which tells something of the long history of the priory. Another stairway – a spiral one of 176 steps – winds its way up the tower of the church; from the top there are extensive views out over the town and harbour. Call 01202 485804 for opening times of the museum.

Just north of the priory are the remains of Christchurch Castle, built in the late 11th century and slighted (rendered militarily useless) after the Civil War. The site here contains the Constable’s Hall which boasts the oldest Norman chimney in Britain, constructed around 1150.

Other nearby attractions include the Red House Museum & Gardens which is housed in a former Georgian workhouse and provides some interesting local history as well as a peaceful enclave in the heart of the town; and the Museum of Electricity, which occupies a stately Edwardian power station and has something for everyone – from dozens of early domestic appliances to a pair of boot warmers. It is also home to a 1914 Bournemouth tram car. Open Monday to Thursday 12 to 4.30 Easter to end September, also on Fridays during school holidays.

On Christchurch Town Quay, at the meeting of the rivers Stour and Avon, is Place Mill, which dates back to Anglo-Saxon times and was mentioned in the Domesday Book. The mill has been restored and although it is unable to grind corn, you can still see the wheel turning when tidal conditions are right. The body of the mill is now an art gallery with different artists in residence each year.

To the south of Christchurch are the ancient ditches known as Double Dykes, an area that offers great walking along with superb views. The dykes cut across the heathland of Hengistbury Head which forms the southern side of the town’s large natural harbour. The headland is now a nature reserve, one of the few uninhabited parts of this otherwise built-up stretch of coastline. Not far from Double Dykes, Britain’s first air show took place in 1910. It was attended by some of the greatest names in early aviation, including Wilbur Wright, Blériot and the Hon Charles Rolls, who was killed when his Wright Flyer crashed at this event.