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Friars Cliff Beach, Christchurch: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christchurch,_ramp_to_Friars_Cliff_beach_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1094428.jpgAuthor: Chris Downer
Christchurch is a town in Dorset, England. It is located between Bournemouth to the west and New Forest in the east. Christchurch covers 50.4 sq km (19.5 sq mi) and has a population of 47,000 people (2012 estimate).
Located at the confluence of the rivers Avon and Stour, Christchurch dates back to AD 650, when it was founded by missionaries sent by St Birnus,the first Bishop of Dorchester. Originally known as Twynham, meaning "between the two rivers", it was renamed Christchurch following the construction of the town priory in 1094.
In the early 12th century, Richard de Redvers, first cousin of King Henry I, built a wooden castle in Christchurch. It was rebuilt in stone by Baldwin de Redvers and was eventually destroyed on the orders of Oliver Cromwell in 1652.
Christchurch Castle: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christchurch_-_Castle_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1763987.jpgAuthor: Chris Talbot
In the 18th and 19th century, many of the townspeople of Christchurch depended on smuggling, accumulating vast wealth through the illegal trade and bypassing official customs. The railway line to Christchurch was built in 1847, helping it develop as a modest coastal destination. Today the town's economy is supported by a number of industries headed by transportation and distribution services.
Visiting Christchurch
Coming from London, take the M3 motorway until Eastleigh, then continue on the M27 followed by the A31. At Ringwood, exit the A31 and head south on the A338 until interchange with B3073, then continue southeast on B3073 to reach Christchurch.
Highcliffe Castle, Christchurch, Dorset: Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Highcliffe_Castle_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2029439.jpgAuthor: Mike Searle
Places of Interest in Christchurch
- Christchurch Castle: Built in AD 1160, the castle now lies in ruins, destroyed under orders from Oliver Cromwell in 1652.
- Christchurch Priory: Ecclesiastical parish of Christchurch dating to the mid 11th century.
- Highcliffe Castle: A Grade I listed mansion built for the 1st Baron Stuart de Rothesay in 1835.
- Museum of Electricity: Housed in an old power station, it showcases educational exhibits centered on electricity.
- Red House Museum: Museum with exhibits on local history, with displays of costume, geology, natural history and archaeology.
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Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.
While I try my best to provide you information as accurate as I can get it to be, I do apologize for any errors and for outdated information which I am unaware. Nevertheless, I hope that what I have described here will be useful to you.
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