Like to soak up local arts and cultural activities on your holiday? With both visual and performing arts events throughout the year you will find plenty in Christchurch to appreciate. The area’s galleries host regular art and craft exhibitions and the arts are celebrated at the Mudeford Arts Festival. Some of the town’s picturesque venues host quality open-air theatre production, so pack a delicious picnic and enjoy some Shakespeare on a summer’s eve.
The Red House Museum and Gardens, run by the Hampshire Cultural Trust, is a former Georgian workhouse located close to the Priory down a charming village-like street. There you can learn all about the Iron Age dwellers at Hengistbury Head, Saxon princes that ruled the lands and discover how social and industrial life in Christchurch has changed over the years. With its beautiful courtyard gardens and frequent artists’ exhibitions it’s a feast of family-friendly fun throughout the year.
Based on the bustling high street, the Regent Centre is one of the finest examples of an early 1930s cinemas today in the UK. It all began on Boxing Day 1931 with a showing of The Taming of the Shrew with Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks and maintained its pivotal role within the community until 1973 when it became a social and bingo club. In 1982 it was bought by Christchurch Borough Council, the former local authority, and restored to its former Art Deco glory with the help of over 100 volunteers. Today this beautiful building’s big screens have satellite broadcasts from around the world including The Royal Opera House and Royal Ballet, and the National Theatre.
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