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We went to Dorset for the weekend, to celebrate my grandmothers 90th birthday. We drove down, but due to road works, and accidents on the M3, we ended up taking a detour. And we somehow ended up driving past Jane Austen’s home. This was nice, I didn’t get the chance to go in the house. Maybe next time.

We finally got to Christchurch after a three hour drive, and headed straight into town for food and sightseeing before the family meal. I had visited Christchurch so time ago and found the change in the town disappointing, some of the unique shops I remembered had gone. But it was nice to see a tea room I remembered was still there. Its was a short walk when we came upon the Christchurch Priory.

We came across this by accident, this is right next door to Christchurch Priory . This was our view and I thought – what is it ?

It turned out to be a former tower and we then found the Norman house.

From the English Heritage site

The remains of Christchurch Castle include parts of the mound-top keep, and more unusually the 12th-century riverside chamber block or ‘Constable’s House’. This very early example of domestic architecture includes a rare Norman chimney.

Please note: Dogs on leads are welcome. The site may contain hazardous features.

And I can agree with the hazardous features, I happen to fall over a lot – and this was a bit steep. But I am glad I got to the top and visited this site.

From there we came across the town quay.

Before we made our way to The White Buck for the family meal – this was a lovely place.