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Dorset is famous for the Jurassic Coast – an area of geological importance along England’s Southern Coastline. The Jurassic Coast is a very popular area, with famous sights such as Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. However, there are lots of other great places to visit in Dorset, too.
I spent 4 days in Dorset, basing myself in the pretty town of Christchurch. This was a great place to stay, with easy access to other areas of Dorset. From there, I explored some of Dorset’s coastal towns, beaches and of course, the Jurassic coast. It was beautiful! If you’re visiting Dorset for the first time, this guide will highlight some the best things to see and do in and around Christchurch.
Looking for another great coastal destination for your next summer vacation or long weekend break? Check out my posts on the best things to do in Ilfracombe, Devon. Or discover the best beaches to visit in Pembrokeshire, Wales
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Christchurch, Dorset
I’ll admit, I hadn’t heard of the town of Christchurch in Dorset before I started researching the area, however, it is a really pretty town with lots to offer. Before we dive into some of the best things to see and do in Christchurch, let’s look at what makes Christchurch a great place to stay in Dorset.
Where is Christchurch, Dorset?
Christchurch is situated on the edge of the New Forest, and close to Dorset’s famous Jurassic Coast. This location makes it the perfect location for getting back to nature with both woodland and coastal walks. The popular seaside town of Bournemouth is just a 15 minute drive away too.
Is Christchurch a good place to stay in Dorset?
Aside from the great location, as I mentioned above, Christchurch is a lovely little town. It doesn’t have a beach directly from the town, however, there is a lovely little marina. Plus, there are plenty of cafes, pubs and restaurants. This makes it a great option for couples visiting Dorset, as you’ll have plenty of choice for places to go out in the evening. It is less touristy than some of the other places in Dorset, such as Bournemouth and Lulworth Cove. And it is still within easy reach of nearby attractions, making it a perfect base. I would definitely recommend Christchurch as a base for exploring the area along the Dorset coastline.
Best things to see and do in Christchurch, Dorset
So, now we’ve covered why I think Christchurch is a great base for exploring Dorset, here are my top things to see and do in and around Christchurch:
Take a stroll around the pretty town of Christchurch
Christchurch is the perfect place for strolling around with a coffee. I would recommend doing a circular loop of the town. Start your walk on the high street, past numerous cafes and shops and then head for the River Avon. Following the river, walk past the ruins of the 15th century Christchurch Castle, and to the church. Leaving the church, you will arrive at Christchurch’s small marina. Follow the edge of the marina and then continue along the River Stour, before heading back into town for some lunch.
Enjoy a long brunch in one of Christchurch's many cafes
Christchurch is full of cafes and restaurants and one spot which is particularly nice and very popular in the summer is The Boathouse. With floor to ceiling glass windows and plenty of outside seating, you can enjoy a coffee or glass of wine overlooking the green and marina.
Further up the River Stour is The Captains Club & Hotel, where there is also lots of outside seating overlooking the River and is a good brunch spot.
Take a road trip around the Jurassic Coast
The Jurassic Coast is Dorset’s most popular attraction and is what has made Dorset so well-known. It is England’s only natural World Heritage Site and is recognised as an area of natural, historic importance due to the geological value of the rocks, fossils and land-forms that make up the coast. The Jurassic coast spans from Exmouth in Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset, however we only covered a small part of the area on our day trip. No trip to Dorset is complete without seeing part of the famous Jurassic Coast – and with stunning landmarks like Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, it is without a doubt the best thing to do in Dorset and should not be missed! Check out my route for a day on the Jurassic Coast, here.
Visit Hengtisbury Head Nature Reserve
Hengtisbury Head Nature Reserve is one of Dorset’s most beautiful natural beaches. It is located just outside of Christchurch, and there are several walking trails through the nature reserve to enjoy. If you’re looking for a relaxed day at the beach without the hustle and bustle of the crowds often seen at Bournemouth, then I would highly recommend Hengtisbury Head. It is very similar to the natural beaches found in Pembrokeshire. In my opinion, this is one of the best things to do in Christchurch and a must-visit when in Dorset!
There is parking by the visitor centre if you choose to drive, but you can also walk there from the town of Christchurch. To walk from Christchurch to Hentigsbury Head, start at the marina and walk alongside the River Stour towards Captains hotel and spa. There is a small jetty here and you will need to pay £1 per person to cross the river on a small rowing boat. Once you’re at the other side of the river, follow the path round to the left and keep following the signs for the ‘Stour Valley Way’. The path will take you through the nature reserve until you reach Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre. From here you can take numerous trails that criss-cross the reserve and onto the beach.
To extend your walk, head towards the South Cliff and follow Hentigsbury Head beach around towards Mudeford Sandbank.
The sandbank is a lovely place to spend a couple of hours. The sandy beach is lined with pretty pastel-coloured beach huts and there’s a cafe and bar for snacks and drinks.
To return back to Christchurch, you can retrace your footsteps and walk back. Alternatively, I would recommend taking the ferry from Mudeford Sandbank, back to Christchurch Marina. The ferry back to the Marina in Christchurch was £5 per person at the time of my visit in 2020.
Enjoy a day out at Mudeford Quay & Highcliffe Castle
Another great day out from Christchurch, in Dorset is to the area of Mudeford Quay. You can drive to Mudeford Quay, jump on a bus, or take the ferry from the marina in Christchurch. If you really want to, you can also walk from Christchurch to Mudeford Quay, although it takes about 1 hour and it is not the prettiest walk.
At Mudeford Quay, there are several places where you can hire paddleboards and kayaks, there is also a children’s playground here and plenty of places for picnics and playing on the grass. You can also get a ferry across to Mudeford Sandbank from the Quay.
One of the best things to do at Mudeford Quay is to stroll along the promenade with an ice cream! The beach at Mudeford Quay is a pebble beach, but it does get sandier as you walk further towards Avon beach and Highcliffe beach. From Highcliffe beach, you can take the steps up to Highcliffe castle. There is an entrance fee to go inside the stately home, however you can walk around the woodland and manicured grounds for free.
Have a beach day at Bournemouth or Boscombe
Bournemouth is one of the most popular British seaside towns. And it is only a 15-minute drive from Christchurch. if you don’t have your own car, there are local buses which run between Christchurch and Bournemouth, which you can catch from Christchurch town centre.
Boscombe is a smaller town, just 1.6 miles or a 7-minute drive from Bournemouth. The beaches at Bournemouth and Boscombe meet in the middle, so you can easily walk from Bournemouth pier to Boscombe pier in 35 minutes.
There are lots of family attractions such as rides, arcades, and food stalls at both Bournemouth and Boscombe Pier. Out of the two, Bournemouth is definitely the busier one. For the quietest spot on the beach, settle in the center of the beach, right in between both piers.
Visit the New Forest
With the New Forest right on the doorstep to Christchurch – it is the perfect way to spend an afternoon if you enjoy walking and strolling through the pretty little towns and villages. The New Forest has been made famous by the thousands of ponies roaming and grazing on the moorland, making a visit to the New Forest even more special.
There’s also Moors Valley Country Park just 30 minutes drive North of Christchurch, which has walking and cycling trails and activities for the kids.
