Photos showing changes to Christchurch - part 1 of 2

Having been historically within the county of Hampshire, the town became part of Dorset in 1974 along with the reorganisation of local government.

Positioned between the Avon and Stour rivers, Christchurch was formerly known as Twynham – a fort built on the orders of Alfred the Great to help protect against attack from the Vikings.

The town became known as Christchurch following the construction of the priory in 1094.

Here we take a look at old pictures of the town and compare them to more recent images.

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Old: Mudeford Quay and beach before the construction of the promenade, circa 1948.

New: The promenade in more recent years. 

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Old: Iford looking over to Old Bridge Road from Iford Bridge on November 10, 1969.

New: The same view of Old Bridge Road from recent years.

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Old:  Topping out of the Tuckton Bridge, Christchurch in 1900.

New: Tuckton Bridge 2014 in more recent years.

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Old: Highcliffe Castle pictured on June 15, 1988, before restoration work started.

New: The castle in more recent years.

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Old: Christchurch’s new roundabout on September 12, 1959.

New: The same view of the roundabout in recent years.

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Old: Traffic held up at Iford Bridge on October 18, 1963.

New: Iford Bridge in more recent years.