Also a small peaceful seaside town in Dorset,
England, dating from Saxon times. Christchurch sits on the edge of a very
pretty harbour between two rivers, the Avon and the Stour, and was originally
called Twynham: 'the town between two rivers'. The town gradually became known
as Christchurch from the 11th century Norman priory on the town's highest
hill beside the sea, once the only landmark building for miles. It's a
picture-book town, very Olde England, with small twisty streets, oak-beamed
shops and cottages and thousands of flower-filled hanging baskets. The rivers
are clean and clear, with swans and transparent fish lazily drifting past
manicured lawns that slope down to the water and up to a ruined castle on a
hill by the priory. Behind the town, the edges of the New Forest: in front of
it, the sea, with wide bays and perfect beaches curving out on either side.
It's not a place for nightlife (there isn't any, as
far as I know) but for riding, fishing, sailing, painting and walking
it's probably one of the best spots in the country. There are also several
airfields in the vicinity, and an excellent local skiing centre. If you
really must have evening entertainment there is a weeny Art Deco cinema, or
you can head into Bournemouth, much bigger and livelier and a few miles
further down the coast.