Christchurch, Dorset Walk: Town Centre & Harbour【4K】

Located in the county of Dorset (although historically in Hampshire up until 1974), and around four miles east of Bournemouth, is the town of Christchurch.

Geographically, Christchurch is situated at the confluence of the River Avon and River Stour as they flow into Christchurch Harbour, which in turn feeds into the English Channel. It was originally known as Twynham, meaning 'two rivers' in Old English. During the late 9th century King Alfred the Great transformed it into a burh (fortified settlement).

During the late 11th century the Normans established a priory on the site of an earlier Anglo-Saxon church. The prominence of this priory would lead to the settlement being renamed to 'Christchurch'. The Normans also built a castle here, which was ultimately destroyed by Parliamentarians in the aftermath of the English Civil War. The priory became the town's parish church after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century. The church is Grade I listed.

For several centuries, fishing was a key industry to Christchurch, taking place at its harbour. Additionally, various fulling mills operated around the harbour, including Place Mill (seen just after the 5-minute mark). During the 18th and early 19th centuries, it became a hotbed for smuggling owing to its isolated location which made it ideal for evading customs authorities.

In 1862 the railway arrived in Christchurch courtesy of the Ringwood, Christchurch and Bournemouth Railway. The current station dates from 1886, the same year in which the original station closed, and forms part of the South West Main Line which runs from London Waterloo to Weymouth.

In April 1974, following the Local Government Act 1972, Christchurch was transferred from Hampshire to Dorset, along with the neighbouring town of Bournemouth.

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Filmed: 17th May 2025

Link to the walk on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/iCyyHrvbmGsWt...

Filmed on a Sony FDR-AX700 with a Zhiyun Crane 2 and a Sony ECM-XYST1M Stereo Microphone.

0:00 Christchurch Quay
4:57 Quay Road
9:54 Christchurch Priory
11:46 Church Street
14:01 Castle Street
19:03 Bridge Street
24:09 Castle Street
27:24 High Street