The Smuggler’s Run Heritage Trail
Christchurch in the 18th century was a quiet market town on Dorset’s edge, home to fishermen and farm workers scraping by. Heavy taxes from Britain’s wars abroad pushed many into smuggling luxury goods like brandy, tea, silk and tobacco from France.
The area’s double tides and hidden inlets made it perfect for dodging customs officers, turning locals into legends of the trade. The Smuggler’s Run Heritage Trail brings those tales to life on a short loop starting and ending outside the Haven House Inn and Café.
Follow the path along the quayside and through green spaces, all on hard surfaces for easy going. Sixteen illustrated signs mark the way, each with relief artwork from Arts University Bournemouth students depicting smugglers like John Streeter, who arrived around 1770 and sparked violent clashes.
You’ll hear about ‘Slippery’ Rogers, Isaac Gulliver and his gang in white wigs, Hannah Seller running the Haven House as a smuggler’s den, and Lovey Warne, a sharp-witted woman in the thick of it. Audio clips, scripted by local writer Alice Flynn and performed by acting students, add drama – though they take some artistic liberties for flair.
Download the trail map from the official website where you’ll also find an audio transcription
The route mixes history with the quay’s everyday buzz: boats bobbing, fresh catches landing, and spots to grab a bite. Public toilets are handy, and it’s fine for dogs on leads, with benches for pauses.
Grab a leaflet from nearby pubs or holiday parks, or go digital via the Explore BCP site for animated tracks. For first-timers in the area, it’s a gentle introduction to Christchurch’s wilder side, linking to broader coastal heritage.
Created by BCP Council with UK government funding, the trail aims to draw in everyone from school groups to casual walkers. It showcases student talent and local lore, turning a simple stroll into a peek at Dorset’s underbelly. If you’re staying nearby, tie it in with a quay visit – park up, walk the loop, then unwind with sea views.
As a brand-new addition, unveiled just days ago, the trail has sparked early buzz in local news for its family appeal and immersive storytelling, with mentions of broad interest among history fans and seaside strollers.