DESTINATION - River Stour and River Avon - Christchurch Harbour
Posted by: 
Dragontree
N 50° 42.968 W 001° 45.720
30U E 587397 N 5618989
The River Stour and the River Avon flow into Christchurch Harbour which then becomes Christchurch Bay which in turn becomes The English Channel.
Waymark Code: WM780K
Location: Southern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/16/2009
Views: 7
The co-ordinates are taken from the south-west side of the estuary at Hengistbury Head where terrific views can be seen. The area between the sea and the river itself is known as Christchurch Harbour which is created by the natural sandspit. Either side of the harbour are nature reserves including Hengistbury Head and Stanpit. The town of Christchurch hugs the coastline and the river with Mudeford lying right on the north-eastern edge of the estuary.
Wikipedia describes the harbour in detail:
'Christchurch Harbour is a natural harbour in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England named after the nearby town of Christchurch.
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 English Channel through a narrow channel 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.
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. 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, 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.'
Relevant Web Site: [Web Link]
Parking Coordinates: Not listed
Trailhead Coordinates: Not listed
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