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Countryside

Christchurch has a wealth of accessible, attractive and safe nature reserves and other wildlife areas to visit, so you won't have to go far to find and enjoy open heathland, ancient wildflower and wet meadows and cliff-top woods.

There are ten Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Christchurch and a number of important Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) as well as four Local Nature Reserves.

These include St Catherine's Hill, Stanpit Marsh, Steamer Point, Nea Meadows, Purewell Meadows and Mude Valley

Conservation events and activities take place on many of the open spaces and a Heritage Walks and Tours leaflet is available which details guided heritage and nature walks and trails around the borough. Several longer walks link to Christchurch including the Avon Valley Path and the Stour Valley Way. Details of these and other walks can be obtained from the Christchurch Information Centre.