Page 114 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

112  ENGLAND ’ S SOUTH C O AST REGION B Y REGION

Bournemouth's 300-m- (984-ft-) long pier, one of the town's most iconic landmarks
1 Bournemouth nave, from around 1093, is an very shallow, averaging just half
impressive example of Norman a metre (2 ft) in depth, making it
Dorset. Map A3. * 195,000. ~ 3
v n Pier Approach; 01202 451 734. architecture, but the highlight ideal for kite- and wind-surfing.
∑ bournemouth.co.uk is the intricate stone reredos, Giant cross-Channel ferries glide
which features a Tree of Jesse, through specially dredged
The popularity of Bournemouth tracing the lineage of Christ. channels to its principal settle-
as a seaside resort is due to Next to the Priory are the ruins ment, Poole, which developed
an almost unbroken sweep of of a Norman castle. from the 13th century, and was
sandy beach, extending from Between Bournemouth initially a sheltered haven for
the mouth of Poole Harbour to and Christchurch, Hengistbury fishermen, timber traders and
Hengistbury Head. Most of the Head is well worth climbing for the odd pirate.
seafront is built up with seaside grassland flowers and sea views. Although most of today’s
villas and hotels. To the west skyline was built in the late
there are clifftop parks and R Christchurch Priory 20th century, the attractive
gardens, with beautiful wooded Quay Rd, Christchurch. Tel 01202 Old Town around Poole Quay
river ravines known as chines. 485804. Open 9:30am–5pm Mon– gives a sense of the town’s
In central Bournemouth the Sat, 2:15–5:30pm Sun. & 5 history. Its medieval buildings
amusement arcades, casinos, ∑ christchurchpriory.org have now been converted into
nightclubs and shops cater to restaurants, bars and hotels.
the city’s many visitors. There's Visitors can learn more about
also PierZip, the world’s only 2 Poole Harbour the town’s history at the Poole
pier-to-land zip wire. Dorset. Map A3. * 150,000. Museum, set in a converted
Nearby, the Russell-Cotes Art 3 @ g 4 n 4 High St; 18th-century warehouse, which
Gallery and Museum, housed 01202 262600. ( Thu & Sat. includes a 10-m (30-ft) log boat
in a late Victorian villa, has an ∑ pooletourism.com dating back to 295 BC. Boat trips
extensive collection, with fine depart from the quay to desti-
Oriental and Victorian artifacts. One of the largest natural nations around the harbour, the
harbours in the world, Poole most popular being Brownsea
PierZip Harbour covers an area of Island, a verdant, wooded islet,
Bournemouth Pier, Pier Approach. 36 sq km (14 sq miles). It is where the only residents are
Tel 01202 983983. Open Jul–Sep:
10am–9pm daily; times vary, check
website. & ∑ rockreef.co.uk
E Russell-Cotes Art Gallery
and Museum
Russell-Cotes Rd. Tel 01202 451800.
Open 10am–5pm Tue–Sun. & 7
∑ russellcotes.com
Environs
The magnificent Christchurch
Priory, east of Bournemouth, is
95 m (310 ft) in length – one of
the longest churches in England.
It was rebuilt between the 13th
and 16th century. The original Luxury houses stretching along the Sandbanks peninsula in Poole
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p177 and pp188–9

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