Christchurch ... originally a Saxon settlement called Twyneham
Christchurch was originally a Saxon settlement called Twyneham (which gives the town's central school its name), from "betweon eam", which meant (the settlement) between two rivers.
During Saxon times the harbour was one of the most important in England as it was easily reached from the continent and boats could enter the harbour and travel up the river Avon all the way to Salisbury.
The Avon and the Stour both enter the sea in Christchurch Harbour. The sheltered harbour and easy access to neighbouring towns also made the area popular with smugglers, culminating in the "Battle of Mudeford" in 1784 between Customs & Excise and the smugglers. A famous smuggler called Thomas Tripp was involved in this battle, there is a public house named after him.
Christchurch is a medium-sized priory and market town, generally regarded as a conservative, slow-paced and popular tourist and retirement destination "where time is pleasant" (according to the town's official description).
The older part of the town, dominated by the Priory Church (the longest parish church in England), dates from Saxon times and still retains its Saxon street layout. It is an interesting mixture of picturesque walks, quaint houses, restaurants, public houses and specialist shops, some of which date back to smuggling times.
There was a Saxon mint in "Twynam" until just before the Norman Conquest.
Christchurch is within the historic county boundaries of Hampshire, but at the time of the 1974 local government re-organisation it was considered desirable that the whole of what is now called the South East Dorset conurbation, which includes Bournemouth and Poole, should be part of the same county.
The current local government district, which has borough status, was formed by the merger of the old borough of Christchurch with part of Ringwood and Fordingbridge Rural District. Since then it has been part of the non-metropolitan county of Dorset. It includes large unurbanised areas, including Bournemouth International Airport, and the parishes of Burton and Hurn.
The harbour is a large protected salt marsh protected by a sand bar at the entrance. The harbour is only accessible to shallow draught boats due to the sand bars at the entrance. The entrance, known as the Run, has Mudeford Quay on one side and the sand bar on the other. Considerable tides flow here, up to 6 knots during spring tides. The harbour is a protected wildlife refuge and is home to large populations of swans, waders and other bird life.
On the south side, the harbour is enclosed by Hengistbury head which was the site of the earliest settlement here dating back to the Neolithic. The landward end of the headland still has the bank and ditch built about 2000BC to protect the settlement.
Stanpit Marsh Local Nature Reserve is situated just below the confluence of the Rivers Avon and Stour. It comprises areas of saltmarsh, freshwater marsh with reed beds and areas of scrub. It was designated as a Local Nature Reserve in 1964 and in 1986 as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is approximately 65 ha in area and is managed by Council.
Key facts:
Population: 45,000 (2006 est.)
District: Christchurch Borough
County: Dorset
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