Christchurch
As far east as you can go in Dorset is Bournemouth's near neighbour Christchurch; like Bournemouth, now Dorset's largest town, Christchurch was situated in the county of Hampshire until the boundary changes of 1972.
This lovely old market town dates back in history to the Saxon period when it was known as Twynham ‘the town between two waters', the rivers Avon and Stour; even today, Christchurch retains its original Saxon street plan. Strategically important with a good natural harbour, Alfred the Great (871/99) fortified the town as one of his major strongholds against the invading Danes. In later years, the Norman conquerors built a castle on the site; at this stage of its development the town was already an important religious centre with 24 resident canons at the church. A new church was built around 1100 that gave its name to the town, Christ's Church.
In 1150, the church became an Augustinian Priory taking four centuries to complete, blending structural styles from Saxon times to the Renaissance. At 311ft in length it is the longest parish church in England and can boast the two oldest bells in the country, cast in 1370. The carved choir stalls are older than those found in Westminster Abbey, and the reredos is 14th century and virtually complete, a remarkable survival as well as a wonderful work of art. Christchurch Priory is thought by many to be the finest church, as opposed to cathedrals, in England. Very close to the Priory are the remains of the old Norman castle, the ruins of the adjoining Constable's House and the mellowed old Court House. A short walk from the Priory leads to the Quay and the unusual but intriguing Tricycle Museum, housed in two medieval outbuildings of the Priory. The only museum in the world devoted solely to tricycles, there are some 40 varied and fascinating examples of this eccentric mode of transport. Along the quayside is Place Mill, a lovingly restored Saxon watermill; the original mill that stood on this site was mentioned in the Domesday Book when compiled in 1088. Close by is the Red House, once a workhouse but now a museum of local history and geology, with a delightful old English garden beside it. On the outskirts of Christchurch at Merritown Farm is the Alice in Wonderland Maze and Family Park, an adventure playground for adults and children alike.