A round of applause for the great British outdoors
Looking to launch yourself into the British countryside? Then the quaint little town of Christchurch on England's southern coast makes an excellent base. It's home to 2 pretty rivers, a cluster of award-winning beaches, and a charming, boat-filled Quay. It's also a short hop from coastal nature reserves and the wild landscapes and walking trails of the New Forest. If you're looking to soak up some local history, there's a good selection of heritage attractions, including an ancient ruined castle, a historic church, and a 19th-century mansion right in the town center.
Dusty off the history books and head back in time
Christchurch vacation rentals are a good bet all around for history buffs. The historic Priory Church lends old-world charm to the attractive, bustling town center. You can take in the amazing coastal views from the clifftop grounds of Highcliffe Castle, an elegant mansion built in the 1830s, which has some pretty snazzy interiors too. And in the center of town is Christchurch Castle, constructed in the late 11th-century inside a Saxon fort. These days it's just a ruin, but if you use your imagination you can picture how it must have looked during the ferocious battles of the Civil War.
Swimsuits at the ready. It's time to hit the beach!
Perfectly placed to take advantage of both coast and countryside while retaining plenty of old-world charm, Christchurch plays the role of vacation-friendly hideaway to the hilt. What can you do other than wandering the pretty streets and checking out the heritage sites? Well, Christchurch vacation rentals typically have access to no less than 6 beaches! From a shingle beach backed by cliffs to a sweeping bay with a view of the nearby Isle of Wight, there's plenty of British bucket-and-spade action to be had. And in the nearby New Forest National Park, you can go hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Sun and sand are close at hand in lively summertime Christchurch
June to August is the high season in Christchurch, when the weather's sunny, but rates are at their highest. It also gets pretty busy, particularly in late July and August, when school is out. Prices drop from mid-September onwards, and the weather is still decent until November, when it turns cold and rainy well into February. Winter is the time of year to hole up in cozy Christchurch vacation rentals and visit Christmas fairs and markets. From March and April, spring brings an array of life and color. Prices aren't at their peak yet, but the mild weather means it's a great time to walk along the coast.
Sweeping coastline meets gentle hills and bristling forest
The town of Christchurch has plenty of lovely historic architecture and it's easy to walk between attractions. It also sits on a sweeping harbor and is crisscrossed by 2 rivers. The town is sandwiched between the New Forest National Park on one side and beautiful Dorset coast on the other. The landscape surrounding Christchurch includes sweeping sandy and shingle coastline, sheer cliffs, gentle rolling hills, and cool forest. To the west lies the lively city of Bournemouth, while the Isle of Wight sits just off the coast to the east.
Traveling to and around Christchurch
The nearest airport is in Bournemouth (BOH-Bournemouth Intl.), located 3.7 mi (6 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you might consider flying into Southampton (SOU), which is 23.5 mi (37.8 km) away.
If you prefer train travel, make your way to Christchurch Station or Hinton Admiral Station to see more of the city.