Southbourne Beach - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

The Grade I listed Christchurch Castle is of Norman origin and was originally of a motte and bailey construction. The castle once dominated the town but now lies in ruins and only a couple of the keep walls remain. A castle has stood in Christchurch since approximately 1074 AD when William I fortified the town with a wooden fort on a motte. Today the bailey is home to a bowling green and gardens, and the ditch has been filled but parts of the keep and much of the constable's house still st

Hengistbury Head is a scenic and historic headland near the town of Bournemouth on the south coast of England. It is home to over 500 plant species, 300 types of birds, a superb variety of insects, reptiles and small mammals. It is a fascinating place not only for its wide variety of habitats but also for its internationally important archaeology and geology.

Christchurch Harbour has formed about 7,000 years ago. Christchurch Quay and Quomps lie in the upper reaches of the harbour. The entrance to the harbour, known as 'The Run', is flanked by Mudeford Quay to the north and Mudeford Sandbank to the south. The harbour is generally shallow and due to the tidal harmonics in the English Channel has double high water on each tide. It comprises the estuary of the Stour and Avon and the Hengistbury Head peninsula.

Hengistbury Head is a relatively unspoilt and south-facing pebble beach, with imposing clay and ironstone cliffs. It is a fascinating place not only for its wide variety of habitats but also for its internationally important archaeology and geology.

The beaches at Bournemouth stretch for 7 miles between the coastal towns of Poole and Christchurch. All of the beaches are soft sand and very family friendly. They are some of the safest beaches in the UK with RNLI Lifeguards based there between 30 April and 30 September. Nestled beneath a magnificent cliff line, the bay enjoys its own micro-climate, some of the warmest sea temperatures in the UK and stunning views of the Isle of Wight and the Purbecks.