Not far from Bournemouth are the picturesque ruins of the castle of Christchurch. Scientists believe that a wooden fortress was located on the site at the beginning of the X century to protect the strategically important settlement at the mouth of the River Avon and the bridge across the river from Viking raids. After the Norman Conquest, the castle was rebuilt in stone, and the oldest masonry today dates from 1160 year. Changes and the appointment of the castle, more attention is given no external threat, and the pacification of local people. Castle lasted until the middle of XVII century, when it was destroyed by order of Cromwell. Until this time, the remains of walls, towers and in some places - nezasypannye sections of the moat.

Near the castle is home constable - a very rare example of Norman architecture of living, which also dates from the 1160th year. The house is much better preserved castle. Here you can see Norman fireplace - one of the five extant. The ground floor was used as a storeroom. On the second floor were the external and internal staircase. At the beginning of the XIII century, the house was built, "wardrobe" - the so-called medieval toilet.