Walking in Christchurch

Avon Valley Path

The Avon Valley Path is a 34-mile, long-distance walking route that takes walkers from the cathedral city of Salisbury to Christchurch Priory and the sea. The route follows the course of the River Avon.

A  leaflet about the route is available.

Linking routes:
Stour Valley Way
Castleman Trailway

Stour Valley Way

The Stour Valley Way is a 64-mile, long-distance walk that follows the River Stour from its source at Stourhead to the point where it flows into the sea from Christchurch Harbour.

Although the route is way-marked with a kingfisher logo, we suggest you take along the appropriate map to help you navigate:

• Ordnance Survey Explorer OL22 (New Forest)

• Ordnance Survey Explorer 118 (Shaftsbury and Cranborne Chase)

• Ordnance Survey Explorer 117 (Cerne Abbas and Bere Regis)

• Ordnance Survey Explorer 129 (Yeovil and Sherborne)

• Ordnance Survey Explorer 142 (Shepton Mallet and Mendip Hills East)

Due to the proximity to the river please remember this route can become waterlogged during the winter months.

Further information about the Christchurch section of the route is available.

Linking routes:
Avon Valley Path
Castleman Trailway
Wareham Forest Way
Wessex Ridgeway (redirect)

Christchurch Millenium Trail

This trail around the town centre of Christchurch takes walkers to sites of historical interest from the Neolithic times to the 20^th century. Evidence of past human activity still remains at some sites but in many instances this is not the case. The route aims to record and preserve some of the otherwise lost and forgotten past of Christchurch.

Maps of the route can be obtained from Christchurch Information Centre on the High Street and Place Mill at Christchurch Quay at a cost of £1.50.

Linking routes:
Avon Valley Path

Guided tours and trails

A number of guided historic and nature walks take place every year in Christchurch. They range from countryside walks on Stanpit Marsh to story walks around old Christchurch.

See the Visit Christchurch website for more information and to download the latest leaflet.

Christchurch Strollers meet regularly throughout the year for short walks of about 40 minutes.  The walks are gently paced and run by qualified walk leaders.

Mude Valley Greenway

Greenways are traffic-free, off road routes that link facilities, open spaces and countryside within and around our towns. They can be used by people of all abilities, on foot or bike and sometimes on horseback, for commuting or leisure.

The Mude Valley Greenway follows part of the National Cycle Network Route 2, talking walkers and cyclists from the sea at Mudeford Quay, through Mudeford and onto Somerford Bridge by Sainsbury's superstore. The route offers views of Christchurch Harbour and passes through a variety of other natural habitats at Peregrine Woods and Mude Valley Nature Reserve. The route is signed by a pale green disc with a dark green 'G' in the centre.

Since the addition of a toucan crossing on Somerford Road, it is now possible to safely access the countryside of the New Forest via Watery Lane which is adjacent to Sainsbury's superstore.

Linking routes:
National Cycle Network Route 2

Health walks in Christchurch

Christchurch Health Walks Pack contains maps and directions for 14 short walks in the borough.