Many of us went to Christchurch Priory by train and visited the Red House Museum close by. The Red House Museum is based on the workhouse from which it derived. It was harrowing to see what real poverty was. We gathered together at 2pm for the guided tour and were split into 2 groups,The Priory is 311ft long larger than most cathedrals. It was a monastery and was built in Saxon times and enhanced greatly by the Normans. Henry VIII dissolved the monastery but the Priory remained as a church. There were magnificent stained glass windows and an impressive organ. There were also some interesting nooks and crannies. We were able to go into one of the crypts.

After our tour we went to the Priory restaurant and enjoyed a clotted cream tea. Having been to Christchurch on many occassions this was the first time I had gone inside and it is very impressive. A very enjoyable visit and many thanks to John for organising it .