Bournemouth has 7 miles of golden sandy beaches which stretches from Hengistbury Head near Christchurch to the Sandbanks peninsular, adjacent to Poole Harbour. This is a Blue Flag beach with lots of facilities including Bournemouth and Boscombe piers. You can hire beach huts from BCP council on a daily basis or weekly. Car parking is easier away from the centre of town. There is a surf area near Boscombe pier.
Christchurch harbour is a quaint old-fashioned harbour set at the foot of Hengistbury Head. It is the home of many sailing boats, a rowing club and the Captains Table hotel. In the background you can see the village of Christchurch and the old Priory - built in 1094 and finished in today's appearance in 1539. There are boat trips up an down the rivers of Avon and Stour that flow into the harbour and the harbour itself.
Corfe Castle was built by William the Conqueror and dates to the 11th century. It is situated in a cap in the Purbeck hills and commands stunning views. It was ransacked by the Round Heads in 1645 and is now a ruin. It was owned by Lady Banks but the family decided to build Kingston Lacy House [NT] near Wimborne after it was besieged.
