Christchurch
"Christchurch is a borough and town in the county of Dorset on the south coast of England. The town adjoins Bournemouth in the west and the New Forest lies to the east. Covering an area of 19.5 square miles (51 km2), Christchurch has a population of approximately 45,000.
Founded in the 7th century at the confluence of the rivers Avon and Stour which flow into Christchurch Harbour, the town was originally named Twynham. The town developed into an important trading port and was fortified in the 9th century. Further defences were added in the 12th century with the construction of a castle which was destroyed by the Parliamentarian Army during the English Civil War. During the 18th and 19th centuries smuggling flourished in Christchurch and became one of the town's most lucrative industries.
The town's harbour, beaches, nature reserves and historically important buildings have made Christchurch a popular tourist destination attracting some 1.5 million visitors a year. Bournemouth Airport, an international airport which handles approximately 800,000 passengers a year, is located within the borough boundary at Hurn. The airport's industrial park contains a number of aerospace and engineering businesses and is one of the largest employment sites in Dorset."
Extracted from the entry for Christchurch in
Wikipedia
Rossiters Quay
As the River Avon approaches Christchurch and nears Bridge Street it splits into two. The western arm
retains the name of the Avon whilst the Eastern Arm is known as the Little Avon.
The bridge over the western arm called the 'Town Bridge' dates back to the 15th century. The bridge
over Little Avon is known as the Waterloo Bridge and was completed in 1817.
The two branches of the Avon join together again just over 400 meters south of Bridge Street and flow on together to join with the Stour and flow out to
sea through Christchurch Harbour.
Rossiters Quay is located between the two arms of the Avon to the South of Bridge Street. It is entered from Bridge Street and the road passes through
the development before ending at
Avon Marina, previously known as Rossiters Boatyard.
Properties on the eastern side of Rossiters Quay have pontoon moorings on the Little Avon. Properties on the western side have pontoon moorings on a basin which joins the Avon.
To the east of the Ltttle Avon and the north of Christchurch Harbour lies the 150 acre Stanpit Marsh with its
Nature Reserve.
