What to do and see in Christchurch, England: The Best Nature & Parks

January 5, 2022 Natalie Tallman

Discover the best top things to do in Christchurch, United Kingdom including Avon Beach, Mudeford Quay, Highcliffe Beach, Barrack Road Recreation Ground, Stanpit Marsh, Snowtrax Alpine Activity Centre, Steamer Point Nature Reserve, Monkey Madness Play Centre, Spencers Park, St Catherine’s Hill.
Restaurants in Christchurch

1. Avon Beach

Mudeford, Christchurch BH23 4AN England
Excellent
52%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 368 reviews

Avon Beach

Reviewed By Johnfrisbee - Christchurch, United Kingdom

This is our local beach - we were there again late August. The beach itself is mainly fine sand - not "manicured" - with some stones and often, seaweed. It's popular with other locals, and has good cafés, fish 'n' chips, a good beach shop, and ice creams. Toilets too. Everything easy-access. From the beach, there are lovely strolls; west to Mudeford Quay, with ferry access over to Hengistbury Head/Mudeford spit, and east, to Highcliffe Castle and other beaches, either along the beach, ot through Steamer Point nature reserve. There's a pay car park by The Noisy Lobster restaurant, right by the beach. Or Avon Beach car park, 2min stroll from thd beach. (That's only 70p in the winter.) A lovely beach, often busy but never packed.

2. Mudeford Quay

Chichester Way Mudeford, Highcliffe, Christchurch BH23 4AB England +44 7889 703519 [email protected] http://www.mudeford-quay.com
Excellent
61%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,297 reviews

Mudeford Quay

Mudeford Quay is a small beautiful corner of the Borough of Christchurch in Dorset, England. Situated at the entrance of Christchurch Harbour, Mudeford Quay benefits from spectacular views along the coast, over to the Needles on the Isle of Wight & back to Christchurch town. Mudeford Quay is made up of two areas, the Quay itself and Mudeford Spit, a natural sandbank which leads to Hengisbury Head all the way to Boscombe & Bournemouth. The Quay is a hub of activity with beautiful beaches, the lush grassed area ideal for picnics and enjoying the beautiful scenery and the Quayside itself which has a small shops, a pub, a fish stall and plenty of vantage points to watch the world go by.

Reviewed By Lizzieslikes - Watford, United Kingdom

This beach is excellent for families with all age children. There are cafes, ice-cream shops and toilets plus loads of sandy beach. For water sport enthusiasts you can wind surf, paddle board, canoe and even surf on some occasions. There is a promenade that stretches all the way from the quay to the beach where in the less busy winter months children can scoot and ride their bikes. In the summer the quayside is a popular place for children to go crabbing, however watch them as the water is deep and fast flowing. Food: The Noisy Lobster is a beach-side cafe that serves breakfast, coffees, cakes and a variety of meals, whilst there is also a fish and chip bar and an ice cream parlour. If you go to the quayside area there is another cafe. You can also catch a ferry from the quayside across to Mudeford Spit, where there are the most expensive' beach huts' and you can also catch a land train to Hengistbury Head, a prominent headland..

3. Highcliffe Beach

Highcliffe, Christchurch BH23 5DE England http://www.visit-dorset.com/things-to-do/highcliffe-beach-p1141233
Excellent
60%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 390 reviews

Highcliffe Beach

Reviewed By Smile4sian14 - Warwick, United Kingdom

What a lovely place! You can walk for miles, clean beach. Sand and stones, even an ice cream van. Beautiful views, a 100% worth a visit!

4. Barrack Road Recreation Ground

Barrack Road, Christchurch England http://sports-facilities.co.uk/sites/view/6009203
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Barrack Road Recreation Ground

Reviewed By ArabellaAardvark

Great wee family park - ideal for an evening play after dinner. We always make a point of visiting. It's been recently added to with swings, climbing frames, although roundabout away at the moment presumably for refurbishment. Ideal for younger and older children.

5. Stanpit Marsh

Christchurch England
Excellent
78%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 23 reviews

Stanpit Marsh

Reviewed By mat123456789112

If you throw in the fishermans walk you can start the marsh walk from the street opposite the recreation ground, carry on all the way round the marsh and on to Christchurch town centre. Adds another 30 minutes to the walk but brilliant views over the harbour.

6. Snowtrax Alpine Activity Centre

Matchams Lane Hurn, Christchurch BH23 6AW England +44 1202 499155 [email protected] http://www.snowtrax.eu/
Excellent
43%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
7%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 269 reviews

Snowtrax Alpine Activity Centre

Everyone is welcome at Snowtrax, from those wishing to improve their skiing skills to the outright novice looking for ski or snowboard lessons. You don’t even need to hit the slopes to have a great time, just relax in our Alpine Bar & soak in the scenery.Our family friendly centre is full of exciting activities for the kids. Try riding the Ski Bobs or spinning down the slopes in a Ringo. Your day won’t be complete without a visit to our Alpine Adventure Park, full of trampolines, swings & a huge fort, it couldn’t be more fun!!!Visit us for a unique party experience, bringing an element of excitement and adventure to any birthday party. All activities are carried out under the close supervision of our well qualified staff, leaving you to enjoy the day.So, explore our website and see just how much we have to offer.... see you soon!

Reviewed By helse2016

Great fun! My son has been to Snowtrax many times for all sorts of occasions. Their holiday activity days are just amazing, such great value for money, where they use the adventure park and have a ski lesson. He absolutely loves these days and has the best time. Would highly recommend Snowtrax for a family day out!

7. Steamer Point Nature Reserve

Steamer Point Nature Reserve Friar's Cliff Seaway Avenue, Highcliffe, Christchurch BH23 4AU England https://www.christchurch.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/countryside-sites-and-nature-reserves/steamer-point-local-nature-reserve.aspx
Excellent
42%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 77 reviews

Steamer Point Nature Reserve

Reviewed By -_-Plane-_-nerd-_-77 - Winchester, United Kingdom

Stunning beach and nature reserve with lots of walks available. There's a little information hut with activities for kids along the cliffs to the right of the car park. Car Park is free after 5pm but you must pay before that.

8. Monkey Madness Play Centre

Reid Street, Christchurch BH23 2BT England +44 1202 481015 [email protected] http://www.monkeymadnessplay.com
Excellent
39%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
5%
Terrible
15%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 61 reviews

Monkey Madness Play Centre

Monkey Madness is a fun indoor play centre for babies and children up to the age of 12. We have the perfect area for your little ones with a dedicated under 4's play area, completely enclosed with a fence and a gate at the front to ensure older children stay out and younger children stay in. We also have a massive main frame, with a huge 3 lane astra slide into a ball pit, a spiral tube slide, aerial runway, tunnels, obstacles and much more for children of any age to enjoy.

Reviewed By passtheHP - Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

The right place on the right day in a challenging weather week. I think we booked 24 hours before and got one of the last slots for the day which suited us perfectly. Unlike other venues we thought Monkey Madness was managing the Covid situation really well. Just the right amount of people. It’s a good layout inside with a large structure that includes a couple of great slides and both our children (2 and 5) loved it. There’s a separate zoned off climbing area for very young children and a coin operated Peppa Pig ride (among others) that would’ve been enough on its own for our toddler! Thankfully they also had spare socks!! Staff were great and we really enjoyed our visit.

9. Spencers Park

Sweyne Avenue Ss5 4ln, Christchurch England

10. St Catherine’s Hill

Sandy Ln, Christchurch BH23 6AQ England https://www.christchurch.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/countryside-sites-and-nature-reserves/st-catherines-hill.aspx

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