Mudeford Quay

This is an extremely popular spot for visitors and locals alike at any time of year.

My own preference for making the ten mile drive from to Mudeford Quay is when there is a storm coming in from the English Channel or when the tide is turning.Mudeford Quay forms a man made bank of one side of what is called 'The Run.' This is a strip of water no more than 50 meters wide that is the inlet and outlet for the tidal movements between Christchurch Harbour and the English Channel.

On calm days the force of the tidal flow is spectacular. Even in a gentle breeze that blows contrary to the tidal flow the seascape is the stage for a marine drama of Shakespearean proportions. Waves breaking over the sand bars just outside The Run. Waves breaking over the sandbars off Avon Beach less than a mile a way. Then there is The Run itself in these conditions. The surface of the water looks like it is being boiled and agitated as it rises into myriads of countless little peaks and troughs of sea water that only last micro seconds. Although they are the result of a conflict between wind and tide they are united in one common cause. That is to dare any vessel no matter how big or small to attempt passage along The Run's half mile. Engines struggle to fight these elements. Sails strain as skilled skippers shrewdly tack along the channel with only rudders and keels preventing them from being swept away by these unrelenting elements.

Those are my favourite conditions when visiting Mudeford Quay.

It is a great place to sit in the car and people watch. They walk past the car holding hats on and trying to wrapped unbuttoned coats around themselves against the wind and the spray. And if they are really unlucky they may have to do an impromptu impression of River Dance as they jig away from the odd errant wave that breaks over the quay and into car park.

Visitors and locals bring their children of all ages to the quay to do 'crabbing.' Whole families dangle bait lines into the water hoping to catch a crab or two which are then kept in a bucket where they will stay until they are tipped back into water at the end of the day. The crabs are completely inedible but are a great way for children to see marine life close up without doing it any harm. For many crabbing may be the first time ever they have seen a living creature come from the sea and maybe, just maybe a child's mind might be lit up with a lifetimes interest in marine biology.

Mudeford Quay has not been brashly commercialized which is part of its charm. Parents who bring their children will not see any change in the buildings around the quay. There is the Haven Pub at the end of the car park. A cafe next door to it, a small gift shop and a fresh fish stall. We have been visiting here for twenty years and that was exactly what was there then. A mile away is Avon Beach where there is the Noisy Lobster of which my wife and I are loyal customers. My recommendation for this place is that you book a table for lunch or dinner as soon as possible especially for weekends and bank holidays. Getting teas and coffees during peak meal times may also be a problem as well due to the level of business which is a mark of the venues quality and popularity.

The quay is not served by public transport so the only way to get there is by car. Travelling between Lyndhurst and Christchurch on the A35 there will be brown signs directing you to Mudeford Quay and the parking. It is well worth taking a few minutes to stop off and have a look if you are in the area.

Parking is £1.70 for an hour or £3.10 for two hours. There are longer tickets available which I think re for up to four hours at a time. Prime parking spaces face directly on to The Run and on busy days you may have to make a couple of patient laps of the car park in the hope of bagging an empty space. If you cannot park directly on the quay there will usually be spaces overlooking Christchurch Harbour.

The picture at the top is looking west from the quay along the run. The day this was taken the sea broke over the quay quite often. The first picture below is from near the end of the car park looking east back towards Avon Beach. It was taken about an hour after the stormy one.

Enjoy your visit.

Looking East from Mudeford Quay.