Christchurch Quay

The area provides open space and facilities for a variety of active and passive leisure pursuits and is also the starting point for many water-based activities.  The large grassed area can easily accommodate those who wish to enjoy a quiet picnic or read a book under the shade of a tree as well as those who wish to be a little more boisterous or energetic.

The large grassed area of the quay is known as the Quomps and the smaller paved area adjacent to Place Mill is known as Town Quay.

We ensure the unique character and heritage of the area is maintained whilst providing facilities and support for the leisure activities that the area accommodates.

Facilities

• Splash park
• Play area
• Riverside promenade and pathways
• Cafés
• Boat hire
• Ferry trips
• Bandstand
• Place Mill (restored Anglo-Saxon watermill)
• Novelty golf
• Public slipway
• Winter boat park (October-March)
• Toilets
• Cycle parking
• Car parking ( Mayors Mead car park  and Quay Road car parking)

A Green Flag for Christchurch Quay

The Green Flag Award recognises the best parks and green spaces in the country. We are really proud of Christchurch Quay and we would like everyone to know what a great place Christchurch Quay is, so we are aiming to achieve Green Flag status. You can get involved and help us to reach this target by joining Christchurch Quay Task Force (pdf, 2Mb) (opens in a new window) . 

Events

The quay is home to a number of events including the annual Christchurch Regatta and carnival and the jazz music festival 'Stompin on the Quomps'.  The events programme features up to 15 events every year.  To find out about events at the quay please see our Parks and open spaces in Christchurch page or go to Visit Christchurch (opens in a new window) .

History

Christchurch quay operated as a commercial quay from the thirteenth century until the early 1900s.  Since then the use of the River Stour at the quay has been dominated by leisure craft.

The Quomps, a name recorded from the sixteenth century, is often historically used to denote a marshy area.  The Priory fish ponds were located here and whilst subject to regular flooding, the area was almost certainly grazed by livestock.  River system improvements to the lower Stour in the twentieth century have removed much of this old landscape.

Place Mill, which straddles the mill stream at the quay, has medieval stonework and Tudor and eighteenth century brickwork.  The mill was used for both fulling (cleaning and thickening cloth) and grinding corn until 1908.  It was then used as a boatshed for 70 years before being purchased by the council and carefully restored.

News and updates

Visit the  Christchurch Quay Facebook page (opens in a new window) for regular news and updates.

Zorbing Tender

The zorbing attraction on the Quomps during summer 2011 was very successful.  We are now seeking tenders for a zorbing concession for Easter and summer 2012.  The information below provides more details and explains how to submit a tender:

• Tender invitation letter (pdf, 32kb) (opens in a new window)
• Zorbing tender information and instructions (pdf, 190kb) (opens in a new window)
• Zorbing location plan (pdf, 56kb) (opens in a new window)
• Zorbing tender submission form (pdf, 163kb) (opens in a new window)

If you would like a Zorbing Tender Pack to be posted to you please contact Becky Beaumont on 01202 495069 or Alan Ottaway on 01202 495068.

Management

For more information about Christchurch Quay and how it is managed please refer to the Management Plan (pdf, 4Mb) (opens in a new window) .

Hire of bandstand

The bandstand is available for use for community events and local groups.

Charges: churches £19.30, non-churches £53.20

• Countryside and Open Spaces Administrator (Christchurch)
  Name: Christine Mockett
  Email: c.mockett@christchurch.gov.uk
  Tel: 01202 495066
  Full details for Christine Mockett