Mudeford

Only two miles from Christchurch, Mudeford is a charming fishing village lying at the entrance to Christchurch Harbour, a Mecca for water-sports enthusiasts and fishermen. The picturesque quay with its lobster pots, old fishermen’s cottages and the Haven House Inn has been traditionally linked with smuggling over the centuries. Nowadays it is not only the centre of the local fishing industry, where fresh fish can be bought from the fish stall, but also a beautiful spot to sit and watch the world go by. Here you can catch the ferry to Mudeford Sandbank, a unique spit of land, which adjoins Hengistbury Head, forming a natural barrier between the harbour and the open sea. This is an ideal spot for walking as well as being an beautiful sandy beach for relaxing upon well served by excellent restaurant facilities. The holiday village has direct access to Avon Beach which as well as offering all of the usual beach activities has a well stocked shop and restaurant. Stanpit Marsh which lies within Mudeford Harbour is a site of special scientific interest and remains amazingly unspoilt a very popular area for the study of wild life and marshland plants.

Christchurch

The charming town of Christchurch is situated on the confluence of the rivers Stour and Avon, approximately six miles to the east of Bournemouth and on the edge of the New Forest. Dating from Saxon time, the town was originally known as Twynham, - the place between the waters. The oldest part of the town is just a few minutes walk from the bustling high street with its modern shopping precinct and is dominated by the 11th century Priory Church and the remains of a castle. There are historic building spanning nine centuries, quaint little shops restaurants and public houses many of which had connections with the smuggling times of old. A pleasant way of visiting Christchurch from the holiday village is by taking a ferry cruise from the Mudeford sandbank up the river to the Town Quay where can be found flocks of ducks, geese and swans and where during the summer days are held band concerts, and entertainment for the whole family. It is here that the annual Christchurch Regatta is held in mid-August with rowing events and many other features culminating in a spectacular fire work display.