Dorset - River Stour (Dorset) - Christchurch to Iford Bridge (& return)

How to get there - Christchurch is on the south coast, just east of Bournemouth.If you take the A35 from Southampton you will have the added bonus of a drive through the New Forest. (map)

Suggested Launch Site - Park in the public car park in Sopers Lane and launch next to the slipway.

General Description - Set off right. This first part of the river is busy with boats and moorings but as soon as you pass under the road bridge, the charachter starts to change. However, it is never trueley remote.

After passing under a railway bridge and a girder type road bridge, you will pass a small caraval park on the right before moving into the most rural part of this trip. All too quickly you will reach the old bridge at Iford. The modern bridge and shallow weir here mark the limit of the tidal waterway. There is currently no access agreement to go beyond the bridge so, reluctantly, return to the start.

When you get back to the start, if you have time, it is worth continueing past the town quay and exploring the River Avon on the left up to the tidal limit marked by the weir and roadbridge by the remains of the castle. The trip so far is about 5 miles. (route)

You can also explore out into Christchurch Harbour but pick your time. At low tide there are large mudbanks. There can also be very strong tidal flows near the entrance to the harbour (known locally as "The Run").

The photographs have been supplied courtesy of FreeFoto.com

Comments:

05 Feb 2007		David Wilson		As nearly a local to this area (my family all live down there)I would double stress the warning about tidal flows at 'The Run'. On a falling tide, if you get in The Run, you won't be able to return - just go with it, land on the beach to the east and walk back!
17 Feb 2007		Nick Walsh		I paddle this section of the Stour and you can actually go further than the bridge without any trouble, I always paddle up to the weir, which is where the fishermens territory begins, either side of the river up to the weir are public foot paths.

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