Christchurch, Dorset
27 customer reviews
Vikki Thrumble
Nice bar for some cocktails particularly the happy hour where it is two for £10 with a large amount of choice. It can be hard to find a seat. But the cocktails are worth it.
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Chris Carter
Really nice place and they cater to your taste. Although I didn't stay there, a wedding reception I went to was held there and we had a wonderful time. There is limited parking out the front and over the road from it is a lovely park and a river, makes for a lovely walk. It is near the high street as well and pubs are nere by as well as car fuel. More...
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Leigh Pittwood
Have been returning for past 4 year's since getting married here. Excellent food, staff and price. Have not had a thing to complain about on our many visits to The King's. Well worth a visit if in Christchurch, check the specials board. More...
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Gordon Knowles
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.
Historically within Hampshire, it joined Dorset with the reorganisation of local government in 1974 and is the most easterly borough in the county. It covers an area of 19.5 square miles and has a population of about 45,000, making it the fourth most populous town in the county.
The story of Christchurch Priory goes back to at least the middle of the 11th century, as Domesday says there was a priory of 24 secular canons here in the reign of Edward the Confessor. The Priory is on the site of an earlier church dating from 800 AD. In 1094 a chief minister of William II, Ranulf Flambard, then Dean of Twynham, began the building of a church. Local legend has it that Flambard originally intended the church to be built on top of nearby St. Catherines Hill but, during the night, all the building materials were mysteriously transported to the site of the present priory. Although in 1099 Flambard was appointed Bishop of Durham, work continued under his successors, and by about 1150 there was a basic Norman church consisting of a nave, a central tower and a quire extending eastwards from the crossing. It was during this period that another legend originated, that of the miraculous beam, which was to change the name of the town from Twynham to the present day Christchurch.
Christchurch Quay, from the quay you can find a ferry called Wick Ferry,that will take you over to Hengistbury Head, also a little further along the Quay there is a ferry boat that will take you across the river to the pretty village of Wick or even onto the Tuckton tearooms. This ferry started around 1880 by Eli Miller, and only cost then, a halfpenny to cross the river. Christchurch was 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 but became known as Christchurch following the construction of the priory in 1094. 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 was heavily fortified during Second World War as a precaution against an expected invasion and in 1940 a Airspeed factory was established on the town's airfield which manufactured aircraft for the Royal Air Force.
The castle is believed to stand on the site of an earlier wooden fort built in 924 AD following the capture of the town ramparts in 901 AD by Aethelwold King of Wessex and subsequently fortified with a motte by Edward the Elder. After the Norman conquest of 1066 the castle's defences were strengthened by the addition of a ditch and bailey surrounded by a wooden pallisade, sometimes called a stakewall or a paling—is typically a fence or wall made from wooden stakes or tree trunks and used as a defensive structure or enclosure. A great tower was built probably around 1300. The castle again saw action during the Civil War of 1642 to 1651. The Parliamentarians were allowed to take control of the castle in 1644. The Royalists laid siege to it for 3 days, demolishing houses on the corner of Church Street and Castle Street in order to site their cannons. The Royalists were unable to take the castle and Cromwell fearing such a powerful stronghold, ordered it to be slighted in 1652. The castle is now in ruins; a couple of the keep walls remain and the remains of a rectangular moat.
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Mike Courtney
We went for a wedding, we found the staff, good and facilities incredibly good and consistent. There is a significant lack of parking but there are a number of inexpensive public car parks within five minutes walk
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Deryck Marley
Nice hotel. Great staff who are friendly but professional. Well prepared, decorated and nicely furnished rooms. Good dinner menu that is different to the norm.
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Andrew Ahead
Impeccable service. Nothing is too little to the staff. Food was brilliant staff were attentive and super polite I advise anyone to come here for food.
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mark jackson
Really good service, had our friends with us with a 1yr old and they even offered to heat up the parents food as one was looking after the child while the other ate. Food was great, cheese fondue, special menu 2 for 10 was great value. More...
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Victoria Bull
We went to the comedy night in the adjoining kings priory, great value, venue and atmosphere with a good mix of ages, would definitely recommend, only downside was a small bar with limited selection
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Patrycja Maciejewska
Me and my friends we had wonderful time at Kings Arms restaurant. Food is really nice , big portions. Not very pricey . Very
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Deborah Aloba
Great venue, excellent service lovely cream tea
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Michael Brannan
Never agree with a Hotel without a stand alone Reception. Made to wait at the bar to check in, was then directed to a man in a cupboard. However, once checked in, the Hotel is marvelous. Large comfortable rooms, good facilities, good sized bathroom, big bed and a good night's sleep. Breakfast I'm the morning was also marvelous. Plenty of choice, friendly service, excellent cold spread and we'll cooked and delicious food. More...
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Donna Robinson
Fantastic standard of food. Friendly staff. Lovely setting. Would happily go back.
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Iain Grant
Visited for a staff Xmas party. 3 course dinner followed by disco. Food was really nice and portions were good. Staff were very attentive and did an excellent job of getting the food out hot.
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Natalie Gilbert
Lovely room, friendly and helpful staff. Food in the restaurant was fantastic
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Gobshite Whittle
A very nice hotel large comfortable rooms and lovely staff
Good food which is different from the usual pub fare
I would recommend this hotel and would stay there again
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Victoria Wright
Good food, service & location
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Barbara Bithrey
Have been several times and you always get value for the money great place to go x
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Denise Bennett
Excellent cosy hotel good food and comfortable rooms
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Mark Philips
Great food, perfect every time. The food is of a good quality and more often then not locally sourced.
Service comes with a smile and the staff are wonderful.
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Dan Moody
Nice venue in a great location. Parking awkward and drinks are pricy
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David Dale
Very nice place for the start of a romantic evening. Like a trendy New York bar. Food is served in the restaurant but I haven't tried it.
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David Wilson-Roberts
Cracking bar with a good vibe and great staff. Only downside (and it is a BIG downside) is that their LARGE glasses of wine are only 175ml - not the 250ml everywhere else serves!
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Christopher Toms
Food was great, professional service, lovely space in the priory and pavilion on the tea garden.
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Sharon Savage
Booked here for a cream tea for my sons birthday one Sunday afternoon. All staff were lovely.
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Mandy Hedger
We attended a party at the Kings Arms. There was plenty of room for all the guests and the food was really tasty too.
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Paul IBarrageI
A beautiful riverside hotel, great social rooms and great staff providing amazing service. Didn't stay a night but the overall experience there was great. Would reccomend.
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