Christchurch Visitor Guide 2013 - Visit Dorset

ast
A captivating
coastline
Whether you’re looking for a visit to the seaside,
somewhere to enjoy the thrills of watersports or a
peaceful location to relax and enjoy the views, the
beaches in Christchurch have something for you.
Christchurch’s beautiful and
predominantly sandy coastline
extends for four miles across
Christchurch Bay from
Highcliffe in the east to Mudeford
Sandbank in the west and each beach has
its own individuality.
Highcliffe Beach, just a short stroll
from the village centre, has excellent clifftop
parking and a café with spectacular
views of the Isle of Wight. Breakwaters
have created a series of sand and shingle
beaches which are great for
bodyboarding and swimming.
Highcliffe Castle Beach is reached
from the Castle grounds by a gently
sloping zig-zag path which allows
wheelchair access to this peaceful and
sandy beach. Parking is limited but it is
easy to park on Highcliffe cliff top and
follow the Coastal Path to the Castle,
which continues to Steamer Point
Woodland and Mudeford Quay, a
distance of approximately 2.5 miles.
Friars Cliff Beach is great for families
as it has seasonal lifeguards on patrol,
plenty of parking, a café, and toilets with
disabled facilities.
Avon Beach is privately-owned and is
ideal for families with small children and
for people with disabilities as it has its
own car park right by the beach and a
café, shop, beach huts, and deckchairs
and canoes for hire.
Mudeford Sandbank is a unique spit
which is a designated Site of Nature
Conservation Interest (SNCI), and adjoins
Hengistbury Head, forming a natural
barrier between the harbour and the
open sea. It can only be reached by foot,
cycle or land train from Hengistbury Head
or by ferry from Mudeford and
Christchurch Quays.
Friars Cliff beach
Mudeford Sandbank
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