Is Christchurch still nice ?

[cleo333]

Hi we are off to downtown abbey soon and thinking of calling in on Christchurch on the way home . Is it still nice as I hvnt been since a child ? If not any other places in new forest area you would recommend ?

Yep it's nice. Depends what you like doing there is lovely walking in lots of places round the forest. Rhienfield arboretum is lovely for a short wander especially in the summer as it's cool but there are stunning longer walks. Burley is cute. Fordingbridge too. Everyone seems to love Lyndhurst but I'm not such a fan! What are you looking for?

I don't think Christchurch has changed much for years; still pleasant. (I live in the area). I'm not keen on Lyndhurst either, it's just a great big roundabout.
If you have children Moors Valley Country Park is worth visiting.

To give you some idea of who we are and what we like / We are in our fifties , like a nice pub meal , some shops and pretty places to see what do you think now ?

Hi. There is lots of nice pubs/cafes in Christchurch. There is shops on the High Street. In the centre there is the priory, the Quay, the castle ruins, red house museum and river walks all in close proximity. You can take the boat accross the harbour to hengistbury head and spend time on the beach. Well worth a visit in my view but I'm local so could be biased.

Christchurch is ok....but it isn't that close to Highclere. You're not confusing Highclere with Highcliffe Castle (which is next to Christchurch)?
If you are going, it's a nice wander round the Priory and quay. A couple of decent restaurants, pubs and tea rooms. Lots nearby in the New Forest. And Highcliffe castle has steps down to a beach.

We stayed in Christchurch a few years ago and while we liked the attractions locally, Avon Beach, Highcliffe Castle etc. We found the food really disappointing. If you're foodies and used to the kind of offerings in Norfolk, Cornwall, I think you'll be disappointed I'm afraid.

I love it x

@notmeeknotobedient - i think you may have been unlucky ref the food. Whilst i'd be the first to agree i'm not a foodie we have always found it quite good there. You may need to book. Norfolk is too flat for me and Cornwall full of tourists and grumpy locals....so cant compare to food there as havent been for years.

Interested where home is as Christchurch isn't really on the way back from Highclere.

Saying that I think it is worth a visit. Nice walks along the river, places to eat and the Priory is worth looking around .

And actually if christchurch food isnt upmarket enough for you there are a lot of top chefs that work in the new forest which is just down the road.