Christchurch (Dorset) Priory

There is level access through the North Porch into the Priory. There are some steps in some areas.

The church was started in the 11th century by Flambard, and the town handed to Richard de Redvers by his cousin Henry I. Christchurch became an Augustinian priory in about 1150 and the main building was completed about a century later. After the Dissolution the priory buildings were destroyed, but the church was retained as the parish church. The nave is 118ft long and seven massive Norman arcades remain. The turret in the north transept is magnificent, and the impressive north porch is reached by a 13th century elm avenue. The chantries are really grand and the Salisbury Chantry is the most outstandingly beautiful, built of Caen stone which is so hard that even today it is difficult to carve. The fantastic carved stone reredos are 14th century and the carving in the choir is 13th century.