Christchurch Harbour history

Christchurch Harbour was formed about 7,000 years ago when the sea level rose at the end of the Ice Age. Christchurch Quay and Quomps lie in the upper reaches of the harbour and on the northern banks of the River Stour. The entrance to the harbour, known as 'The Run', is flanked by Mudeford Quay to the north and Mudeford Sandbank to the south.

Prior to that, the area, which was then many miles from the sea, was inhabited by spear throwing reindeer hunters of the old Stone Age and later by middle Stone Age archers.

During the Neolithic Age, stone age settlers cleared trees and burned the vegetation to prepare the ground for the cultivation of crops and to enable cattle, sheep and pigs to be herded. About 4,000 years ago there was a large settlement on Hengistbury Head. The ten burial mounds (barrows) on the head were constructed during the Bronze Age, about 3,500 years ago, when the area was used solely as a cemetery.

The ironstone boulders (doggers) that can be seen around this area attracted early Iron Age people to Hengistbury Head. These settlers lived in thatch roofed huts with mud coated walls. The iron ore was smelted in clay ovens and used to produce tools, weapons and ingots which were used for trading.

Around this period, when the Romans invaded France, trading links were established between France and Britain. Hengistbury Head became one of the main trading ports of this century, exporting copper, gold, silver and iron and importing luxury goods such as wine and glass to make beads and bracelets. It is also probable that slaves were exported from here.

The boats used for this trade were of shallow draft and oak-planked and were propelled with square leather sails. It must have taken at least twelve hours to cross from Cherbourg and compasses and weather forecasts had not been invented!

The port thrived for about fifty years but quickly declined when Caesar invaded Belgium and shorter trading routes from South East England were opened up. Hengistbury continued in use and became a major settlement for the Durotiges - the local tribe - who established gravelled roads, fenced rectangular house plots and industries such as iron smelting and coin minting. Following the Roman conquest in AD43 the town declined but a small farming village remained on the site for a further 300 years, since when the area has not been settled.

Approach and entry

The entrance channel is shallow and subject to constant movement, especially during the winter when at times there is no easily defined entrance. Boats with a draught in excess of about 3-6" will experience considerable difficulty both entering and leaving, consequently local knowledge is desirable. The channel is marked by red and green buoys which are repositioned by local fisherman when necessary but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

At the downstream end of the Mudeford Quay Car Park there are two vertical green lights which mark the shoreward end of the channel where it joins 'The Run,' however, because of the channel no bearings can be given for these lights.

'The Run' itself is deeper but becomes very congested at times during the summer. In addition, on an ebb tide the flow of water can run at up to eight knots, slightly less on the flood.

Once inside the harbour the main channel is adequately marked by buoys but is, in places, shallower than the entrance channel. This channel is quite narrow and any deviations from it will result in running aground. The most favourable anchorages are to the north of Branders Bank just off the channel or at Steepbanks where there is deep water.

Sailing and boardsailing

There is a public right of navigation on tidal waters in Christchurch Harbour and you have every right to enjoy your sport in this area. Do not forget however that other groups also expect to exercise their rights in the harbour and enjoy the amenity.

You are therefore requested:

• Not to sail unnecessarily in the main navigable channel. Larger boats are not able to stop or manoeuvre easily in the confined waters to avoid you. Rule 9, paragraph d. of the International Collision Regulations states that no vessel may cross a narrow channel or fairway if by doing so impedes the passage of a vessel that can only navigate safely within that channel or fairway
• Not to disrupt the passage of the public ferry services in the harbour and not to sail amongst moored boats. You are liable to damage your own and other people's property or injure yourself on mooring chains or anchors. There are large open areas in the middle of the harbour where there are no moorings and where you will have plenty of room to enjoy your sport
• Not to go barefoot as Christchurch Harbour is not a purpose built sports centre and has its share of natural and unnatural debris on the bottom

• The Christchurch Harbour enigma

  The cliff sections fronting Poole Bay and Christchurch Bay are well documented. What is not so well understood is how they are linked across Christchurch Harbour. This information may help improve understanding, using some well established information and some fresh information,until now unpublished, arising from an engineering project undertaken by Christchurch Borough Council (CBC) at Christchurch Harbour entrance in 1999.

• Beaches and harbours (Christchurch)
  Name: Gary Foyle
  Email: beachesandharbour@christchurch.gov.uk
  Tel: 01202 495070
  Full details for Gary Foyle