Coordinates: 50°43′22″N 1°45′15″W / 50.72285°N 1.75404°W
| Christchurch Harbour | |
  Christchurch Harbour
Christchurch Harbour shown within Dorset |
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| OS grid reference | |
|---|---|
| District | Christchurch |
| Shire county | Dorset |
| Region | South West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CHRISTCHURCH |
| Postcode district | BH23 |
| Police | Dorset |
| Fire | Dorset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament | Christchurch |
| List of places: UK • England • Dorset | |
Christchurch Harbour is a natural harbour in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England named after the nearby town of Christchurch.
Contents |
General description
The River Avon and the River Stour flow into Christchurch Harbour at its northwest corner.
On the north side of the harbour, east of the River Avon are Priory Marsh, and to the east of this Stanpit Marsh, a Local Nature Reserve.
To the west side of the harbour are Wick Fields, the southern flank of the harbour being bounded by Hengistbury Head, a prominent coastal headland.
The harbour flows in to the Christchurch Bay and the English Channel through a narrow channel known locally as The Run which rests between Mudeford Quay and the end of Hengistbury Head. Boats can enter from this channel and cruise up stream for 2 miles choosing either the River Avon or the River Stour, the Stour leading up as far as Iford Bridge passing Christchurch Quay and Tuckton.
The area also incorporates a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) at National Grid Reference SZ 175915 over an area of 873 acres (353 ha) comprising the estuary of the Stour and Avon and the Hengistbury Head peninsula. The varied habitats include saltmarsh, wet meadows, grassland, heath, sand dune, woodland and scrub. The site is of great ornithological interest.[1]
History
The harbour was formed around 7000 years ago when the sea level rose at the end of the last Ice Age. Previously the area which was many miles from the open sea was inhabited by Stone Age hunters. Archaeological finds from this time have been discovered on Hengistbury Head to the south of the harbour. The Harbour became a major trading port following the Roman invasion of France. The port and settlement declined after the Roman Invasion of Britain in AD43.[2]
Around the harbour
To describe the various features of the harbour, it is convenient to divide the harbour, and list the features from inland (west) to outlet (east end). Tuckton Bridge over the River Stour, although inland from the harbour, is a convenient starting point. This is also the boundary between Bournemouth and Christchurch..
North side
From Tuckton Bridge to the Christchurch Priory is a length of quay, also known locally as The Quomps at the Priory end. The River Avon joins the Stour alongside the Priory. Beyond this is a small marsh, Priory Marsh. Next is Stanpit Marsh, which is an important nature reserve of about 65 hectares (160 acres), combining both freshwater and saltwater habitats [3]. Further east are the residential areas of Stanpit and Mudeford. The harbour is closed at the east end by a sand bar, Mudeford Spit. The harbour entrance is a relatively narrow channel, named The Run on historic maps[4], and tending to hug the coast by Mudeford and Highcliffe, the next coastal village.
South side
From Tuckton Bridge, the two main sections of the harbour shore are Wick and Hengistbury Head, which are in Southbourne in the borough of Bournemouth. The harbour proper begins around Wick Fields, a reed marsh and part of the area of importance for nature conservation. During the nineteenth century, the mining of ironstone doggers from Hengistbury Head dramatically increased erosion. The silt washed into that part of the harbour threatened the ecology. To prevent this, the Quarry Pool was created by building a dam in 1976.
Stanpit Marsh
Stanpit Marsh is a SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest, it is rich in wildlife and an important staging point for migratory birds. A circular path on the marsh uses an example of a Bailey Bridge to cross Mother Sillers Channel. The Creek was named after Hannah Sellar, landlady of the Ship in Distress which is located at the top of the creek. (see The Battle of Mudeford). The marsh was formed as the result of action and deposition of material from the two rivers as they meet with the salt water within Christchurch Harbour.
The marsh is geologically relatively new, the oldest parts date back about 10000 years. There has been considerable change during this time and it is still evolving. The highest point of the marsh is a ancient grass covered sand dune named Crouch Hill. It stands 5 meters above sea level. To the east of Crouch hill lies Blackberry Point. In the past this was a small island within the Harbour known locally as Horseshoe Island. Today it has become firmly attached to the marsh.
The Marsh has a history of human activity dating back to 5000 BCE. Excavations in 1969 on the eastern bank of Mother Siller's channel revealed finds left by Mesolithic nomadic people (3000 BCE). As well as flint fragments, traces of Purbeck Limestone and Portland stone were discovered showing evidence of human movements across Dorset. There have been considerable rises in the sea level over during the marshes existence. Finds up to the early Bronze Age were also made during these excavations. After the Iron Age material evidence of human activities is rare. Stanpit village is mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086) as 'Stanpeta' meaning 2 estates with meadows. [5]
References
- ^ SSSI Christchurch Harbour
- ^ Dorset for you Christchurch Harbour
- ^ Dorset for You web page on Stanpit Marsh
- ^ University of Southampton geological survey
- ^ http://www.hengistbury-head.co.uk/stanpit.htm
External links
- ChristChurchHarbour.info (Unofficial)
- Dorset For You - Christchurch
- Dorset For You - Christchurch Harbour
- University of Southampton geological study of Hengistbury Head
- Navigation information for Christchurch Harbour from Christchurch Sailing Club
Images
The view of Christchurch also shows Wick Fields between the camera and Christchurch Priory, and Stanpit Marsh immediately across the water to the right of the second picture. The various views from Hengistbury Head give a fairly complete overview of the harbour.
 Christchurch Priory from Wick, across the River Stour |
 Christchurch from Hengistbury Head, across the harbour |
 Sand bar and outlet of Christchurch Harbour |
 Detail of outlet of Christchurch Harbour |
 Sand bar at end of Christchurch Harbour, viewed from Hengistbury Head |
 Sand bar at end of Christchurch Harbour, viewed from Hengistbury Head |
 The Quarry Pool, Hengistbury Head |
 South-eastern cliff of Hengistbury Head |
 Hengistbury Head, cliff face on western end of Warren Hill. |
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