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Christchurch

Situated at the confluence of the rivers Stour and Avon, Christchurch lies in the south-east corner of the county and is dominated by its large medieval church. It still retains a significant number of older houses and buildings, some dating back to Norman times.

The town started as a Saxon settlement at the head of Christchurch Harbour. Never growing particularly large, it inevitably has become engulfed in the ever expanding urban area of neighbouring Bournemouth, whilst – so far – still managing to retain its own identity.


076-01 Christchurch 076-02 Christchurch 076-03 Christchurch 076-04 Christchurch 076-05 Christchurch
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To view any image full size - simply click on the thumbnail

The pictures shown here were taken on a bright mid-week day in March, the cold but clear air creating a brilliance that only begins to soften approaching sunset as a light mist begins to form across the bay.

  

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In the top row of pictures:

  • The Priory Church (1095–1530s), its tower gleaming in the sun after recent cleaning of the stone surfaces (picture)
  • The churchyard, with the first of the spring flowers (picture)
  • Some of the smaller and older buildings at the southern end of High Street, close to the Priory (picture)
  • Ruins of the 12th century castle and castle mound situated in the heart of the town (picture)
  • Sculpture by Jonathan Sells depicting 'Flambard' the Bishop of Durham, responsible for planning the building of the Priory church in 1094 (picture)

In the bottom row of pictures:

  • High Street and the Town Hall (picture)
  • Bridge Street (picture)
  • One of many new and attractive developments on the islands formed by the confluence of the Rivers Stour and Avon (picture)
  • The River Stour, now filled with pleasure boats, these would once have been fishing boats supporting what was a large industry here (picture)
  • The Priory church shortly before sunset, seen across reed beds from out in the harbour (picture)

Nearby locations that also feature in galleries on this site:

directionHengistbury Head

directionBournemouth, Poole

More views of Dorset in March


Other sites on the web

The Official Christchurch Priory site:   History of the Priory, services and events

The Dorset Page:   Christchurch – local information and links to further resources on the web

Maps of the area on streetmap.co.uk:   1:50,000 – detail, 1:250,000 – locality and route to get there

picture resolution
The pictures of Christchurch in this gallery were captured at high resolution.
This is images of dorset stock photography gallery 076
All photographs copyright © 1998–2003 John Allen

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