{{Short description|Area of Christchurch, Dorset, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} [[File:Christchurch, ramp to Friars Cliff beach - geograph.org.uk - 1094428.jpg|thumb|The ramp to Friars Cliff beach.]] '''Friars Cliff''' is a neighborhood and beach in [[Christchurch, Dorset|Christchurch]], [[Dorset]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Friars Cliff Beach|url=https://www.bournemouth.co.uk/christchurch/things-to-do/friars-cliff-beach-p2876303|access-date=2021-01-20|website=Christchurch|language=en-GB}}</ref> It is east of [[Mudeford]] and west of [[Highcliffe]].
==History== The area was once an isolated rural hamlet called '''Bure'''.<ref name="dcc">{{cite web|title=Christchurch Historic Urban Character Area 19. Bure|series=Dorset Historic Towns Survey: Christchurch|page=180|agency=Dorset County Council|url=https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/libraries-history-culture/local-history-heritage/historic-towns/christchurch-historic-towns-survey}}</ref> A place called "Beora" is recorded early in the 12th century as being granted to [[Christchurch Priory]].<ref name="dcc"/> An estate map of 1796 depicts the hamlet of Bure as comprising two clusters of houses on either bank of Bure Brook and facing on to a village green.<ref name="dcc"/> In the 19th century, the land to the west was enclosed for the creation of a country house and its associated grounds known as Bure Homage, whereas to the east lay Bure Farm.<ref name="dcc"/> The settlement of Friars Cliff was developed from fields in the first half of the 20th century.<ref name="dcc"/>
== Beach == '''Friars Cliff Beach''' is in the south of [[Christchurch, Dorset|Christchurch]], and sits on the edge of the [[English Channel]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Friars Cliff Beach|url=https://www.visit-dorset.com/things-to-do/friars-cliff-beach-p1158843|access-date=2021-01-20|website=Visit Dorset|language=en-GB}}</ref>
[[File:Friars cliff groynes - geograph.org.uk - 782417.jpg|thumb|The [[Groyne|groynes]] at Friars Cliff.]]
== Politics == Friars Cliff is part of the [[Christchurch (UK Parliament constituency)|Christchurch parliamentary constituency]] for elections to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]. It is currently represented by [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] [[Christopher Chope]].
Friars Cliff is also part of the [[Mudeford, Stanpit and West Highcliffe (ward)|Mudeford, Stanpit and West Highcliffe wards]] for elections to [[Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council]].
Since 2019, Friars Cliff has elected two councillors to Christchurch Town Council.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Revealed: the candidates for the new Christchurch Town Council|url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/17566639.candidates-new-christchurch-town-council/|access-date=2021-01-20|website=Bournemouth Echo|date=2 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{Reference list}} {{Coord|format=dms|display=t}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Friars Cliff}}
{{Christchurch, Dorset}}
[[Category:Areas of Christchurch, Dorset]] [[Category:Beaches of Dorset]]
{{Dorset-geo-stub}}