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Health walks in Christchurch

Christchurch Borough Council, in partnership with the South and East Dorset Primary Care Trust, put together nine health walks in the Christchurch area. A further five walks have been produced by Christchurch Borough Council in conjunction with the Christchurch Strollers.

There are fourteen self-led Christchurch Health Walks (PDF, 4Mb) (opens in a new window)  in and around the Christchurch area. The walks are ideal for those who would like to become more active or perhaps lack the knowledge about where to walk locally. The walks are:

  • Graded to show level of difficulty

  • Short and circular

  • Located in pleasant and attractive places

  • Avoid crossing busy roads wherever possible

  • Pass useful facilities such as post boxes

St Catherine's Hill - No. 1 (PDF, 464kb) (opens in a new window)
Grove Copse - No. 2 (PDF, 160kb) (opens in a new window)
Town Centre - No.3 (PDF, 196kb) (opens in a new window)
Purewell Meadows - No.4 (PDF, 921kb) (opens in a new window)
Stanpit Marsh - No.5 (PDF, 164kb) (opens in a new window)
Mudeford - No.6 (PDF, 496kb) (opens in a new window)
Nea Meadows - No.7 (PDF, 996kb) (opens in a new window)
Highcliffe Beach - No.8 (PDF, 704kb) (opens in a new window)
Chewton Common - No.9 (PDF, 182kb) (opens in a new window)
Highcliffe Castle - No. 10 (pdf, 452kb) (opens in a new window)
Christchurch Quay and Druitt Gardens - No. 11 (pdf, 486kb) (opens in a new window)
Mill Stream and Christchurch Quay - No.12 (pdf, 420kb) (opens in a new window)
Mudeford Wood - No. 13 (pdf, 496kb) (opens in a new window)
Mudeford Quay - No. 14 (pdf, 540kb) (opens in a new window)

Don't worry if you do not feel you can manage a full walk to start with. The key is to start off with something comfortable and gradually build up. For example, you could pick a small section of a walk that appeals to you and then increase the distance until you can cover the whole walk.

Walk gradings

Each walk has been graded between one and three, one being the easiest and three being the hardest. This is shown on the top right hand corner of each map along with the walk distance (miles), suggested time and walk terrain (e.g. tarmac path).

To help you plan your walk, each map has a key showing the symbols for facilities along the walk, such as parking, toilets or refreshments. You may wish to start at a different point to the one we suggest, so you can stop halfway to sit on a bench or finish at a certain cafe.

Top walking tips

  • Walk slowly to warm up and down at the start and end of each walk

  • Wear comfortable shoes and loose fitting breathable clothing such as cotton

  • In hot weather, take a cool drink on your walk

  • Find a walking partner

  • Try walking your local journeys, it is better for you and the environment

  • Keep a diary of your walks and times, so that you can see how well you are doing

  • Buy a local OS Explorer map and try making up your own walks using footpaths and bridleways

Walking with a group

Christchurch Strollers meet regularly for short walks in and around Christchurch.  The group is run by qualified walk leaders and walks are at comfortable pace to suit everyone.

Longer walks

If you are already quite fit, or once you've built up your fitness, you might like to try some longer walks. Visit the Walking in Christchurch page to find out about longer trails that run through the borough. Or you could find out what local groups such as Ramblers East Dorset Group (opens in a new window)  have to offer.  Here is just a taster:

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