a parliamentary borough and market-town of Hampshire, England, situated at the confluence of the Avon and Stour, about half a mile from where their united streams fall into Christchurch bay, 20 miles S.W. of Southampton, and 100 miles from London. The town takes its name from its church and priory, founded early in the Saxon era. Some fragments of the priory walls are still standing; and the church, which is in the form of a cross, is a very interesting specimen of the Norman style, with a square tower at its west end commanding an extensive prospect. It also contains some curious ancient monuments. Christchurch had returned two members to parliament from the time of Elizabeth; but, by the Reform act, the number was reduced to one. Pop. (1851) of parliamentary borough 7475; of old borough 1877. Electors (1851–2) 318. It has some manufactures of watch-springs and hosiery, and a salmon fishery. On account of a shifting bar, where there is a depth of not more than five or six feet, the harbour is accessible only at spring tides to small coasting vessels. There is a double tide in the bay every 12 hours. In the vicinity CHRISTIANITY.