Bridport is a market town in Dorset, England, situated approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) inland from the English Channel near the confluence of the small River Brit and its tributary the Asker. It’s also really friendly and there is everything here that I want or need. The future is grey: there are now more over-60s in Britain than under-16s. ‘I’ve lived in Christchurch my whole life apart from [said with a grimace] a brief spell in the middle of Bournemouth. He founded the English colonial settlement of the Somers Isles, better known as Bermuda. Weymouth and Portland hosted the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing events. The town is the third largest settlement in Dorset after the unitary authorities of Bournemouth and Poole. Do you think you can help make a difference? A 15-minute drive to Bournemouth airport for those impromptu trips abroad. Historically part of Hampshire, it joined Dorset with the reorganisation of local government in 1974. Its population is swollen over the course of a year by 1.5million tourists who come for the many natural amenities within a short drive of the town and also for the weather; Christchurch has rainfall half that of the UK average. After this point it … The New Forest National Park is just a short journey across the border into Hampshire, offering an ideal environment for cycling, horse riding and Nordic walking. Poole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. Nice cottages in Purewell and the centre; well-priced Victorian semis between Fairmile and Barrack roads. Christchurch is a lovely place for all ages. A single person estimated monthly costs are … The headquarters of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) are located in Poole, and the Royal Marines have a base in the town’s harbour. There’s good walks at Stanpit and Grimbury marshes and Highcliffe, Winkton and St Catherine’s Hill are all on the doorstep, too, but I think it’s the town itself that’s the nicest part. There are lots of good local artists round here, but I also try to put on shows of nationally important artists as well.’ Jo Dyton, gallery owner – works in Christchurch. The owners’ lounge at Fleur-de-Lis in Christchurch. It's a manageable size, with good rail links and cute fishing village looks; and while it's not quite beside the seaside, it still has a seaside's cheery feel. Over the centuries, artists and writers of all disciplines have drawn inspiration from the Dorset landscape. Bournemouth’s growth really accelerated with the arrival of the railway and it became a recognised town in 1870. Less in demand, so cheaper, is West Christchurch (where the centre is) - bar the quayside, and the Stour and Avon banks. © 2003–2020. According to the Office for National Statistics, if you live in Dorset you can expect to live for almost four years longer than the national average. Those seeking a little more activity within the town have a wide range to choose from, whether that is a round of golf at the numerous courses or perhaps a game of bowls at the local bowling club. Many of the apartments also have private balconies and there is also an Owners’ Lounge and Guest Suite. Christchurch is very handy for lots of places (Bournemouth and Poole) but I’m a country girl at heart, so it’s also really handy for Hengistbury Head, and for Purbeck beyond, but the rivers here are lovely too.’ Inger Sloots – local resident. Known as the Garden City because of its many beautiful parks, gardens and tree-lined streets; living in Poole is as close as you can get to living in a bustling town but also in the countryside. Living in and around Christchurch - advice please! Lyme Regis is twinned with St. George’s, Bermuda. Renaissance Retirement, chosen by the Prince of Wales to build the first retirement development at Poundbury in the 1990s, opens a new scheme in Christchurch, Dorset. Website maintained by WD4D. Hi, We're looking to move to the Christchurch area sometime in the new year. Before the construction of the Priory, 920 years ago, Christchurch was known as Twynham, from the Old English for the land between the rivers. The stylish looking building was built using local Portland stone and has been conscientiously designed to include a glazed link to preserve the view from Druitt Gardens of the stunning 19th century spire belonging to the Christchurch Christian Centre. Dorchester is the county town of Dorset, England. It’s also a very stable economy here; although there are more people here in the three summer months, there’s good trade all year round. So the chances are, you’ll either be living in an officially designated area of natural beauty, or you’ll be very close by to one. The history of the borough stretches back to the 12th century; including involvement in the spread of the Black Death, the settlement of the Americas, the development of Georgian architecture, and preparations for World War II. Built on the site of the town’s old Cornfactor building, it was originally the central hub of the district’s corn market dating back to the 1800’s. Backing on to the thriving Christchurch High Street and within easy reach of all the stunning amenities and attractions the New Forest has to offer, our luxury apartments with their high specifications will be hard to beat.”.