Christchurch

Most first visits to Christchurch start at the harbour, where the Rivers Avon and Stour meet before flowing out to sea. It is a natural place to get your bearings, whether you walk the quay, take a boat trip, or simply sit with a coffee and watch the water traffic. From there it is a short walk into the town centre, where the priory and the ruins of the Norman castle give a sense of how old this place actually is, long before the seaside resorts nearby were ever built.

Most people staying overnight choose somewhere close to that water. The Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa and Captains Club Hotel & Spa both put you right on the harbourside, with views over the estuary and easy access to the quay on foot. For something smaller and more traditional, options like Avon Beach Bed & Breakfast, Bure Lodge and Castle Lodge sit closer to the beach or the town's older streets, while Avon Causeway and Bear of Burton offer a quieter, more rural base a little further out.

Once you have found your feet, Highcliffe Beach is worth the trip out, with clifftop paths and sea views that make for a proper afternoon walk. Back in town, the Red House Museum and Gardens is a good stop for a slower, more local look at the area's history, and families often build a day around Discovery Village or a visit to Snowtrax. Anyone with an interest in aircraft should factor in Bournemouth Aviation Museum, and if you fancy trying something with your hands, both Hot Pot Pottery and The Clay Studio run sessions where you can make your own piece to take home. The Christchurch Treasure Hunt Trail is a nice way to see the town centre properly if you would rather explore at your own pace than follow a set itinerary.

Christchurch works well as a base precisely because it is compact: harbour, priory, beach and high street are all within easy reach of each other, so a first-time visitor can cover a lot of ground without much planning. It also sits close enough to the wider Dorset coast that a day trip further along the shore is easy to add on, without ever needing to change where you are staying.