Close to Bournemouth town are the picturesque ruins of Christchurch castle. Scientists believe that a wooden castle was built on this place in the early tenth century to protect the strategically important settlement at the mouth of the river Avon and river bridge from the raids of the Vikings. After the Norman conquest, the castle was rebuilt in stone, and the old stone walls now dates back to the year 1160. Changed and designation of the castle, the focus is shifting from external threat, and the pacification of the local population. The castle lasted until the mid-seventeenth century, when it was destroyed by order of Cromwell. Up to the present time preserved remains of walls, towers, and in some places is not filed up sections of the ditch.

Near the castle is the home of the constable is a very rare example of Norman architecture residential, which also dates back to 1160. The house is preserved much better lock. Here you can see a Norman fireplace is one of five extant. The first floor was used for storage. To the second floor led external and internal stairs. In the beginning of XIII century the house was added to the "wardrobe" is a medieval toilet.