Removals in Christchurch, Mudeford and Highcliffe
1st Choice Removals moves homes across Christchurch and BH23, including Mudeford, Highcliffe, Friars Cliff, Burton and Bransgore. We are a family-run Dorset removals and storage company, working since 1990, with free home visits and trained crews.
Where we work in Christchurch
The BH23 postcode covers a wide spread of places, from the historic town centre to New Forest villages. We move homes in all of them:
- Christchurch town: around the Priory, the High Street, the Quay and Purewell
- Mudeford, Stanpit and Friars Cliff: coastal homes close to the harbour and Avon Beach
- Highcliffe and Walkford: family homes, bungalows and seafront apartments on the eastern edge
- Somerford and Burton: estates and newer housing either side of the A35
- Bransgore, Sopley and Hurn: villages and rural properties towards the forest and the airport
Christchurch is part of the BCP Council area, and we cover it as part of our local patch alongside Bournemouth.
Old town streets and coastal access
The oldest part of Christchurch, near the Priory and the Quay, has narrow streets, older buildings and limited kerbside space. Mudeford Quay and some harbourside roads can be very busy in summer.
- We plan where the vehicle will stop at the survey, and whether space needs to be reserved with BCP Council
- For tight streets, we can use a shuttle from a larger vehicle to reach the door
- We avoid the busiest summer times near the beaches wherever your dates allow
- The A35 and A337 can be slow at peak times, so we set start times accordingly
Christchurch homes we move
Christchurch has a lot of bungalows and chalet bungalows, especially in Highcliffe, Mudeford and Burton. There are also period cottages in the old town, large detached family houses and a growing number of apartments, including retirement developments.
Downsizing is common here. If you are moving from a larger home into a flat or bungalow, we can help you decide what to keep and put the rest into storage.
Our decluttering and downsizing guide has practical tips for sorting a house before the move.
A real Christchurch move: to Ashford in Kent
Not every move is local. We moved a client from Christchurch to Ashford in Kent over two days. On day one the crew protected the house, loaded everything and kept it in secure storage overnight.
Day two started early with the drive to Kent, where the crew protected the new house and placed furniture exactly where the client wanted it. Read the Christchurch to Ashford move story, including the client's own review.
How your Christchurch move works
- Home visit: free anywhere in BH23. Get a quote.
- Quote: a clear written price, sent by email and accepted online.
- Packing: use our packing service, or buy packing materials individually and do it yourself. Unpacking and furniture dismantling and reassembly are optional extras, charged on top.
- Moving day: trained crew, heavy-duty floor sheeting, padding for banisters, doors and frames, and careful wrapping of fragile items.
- Delivery: furniture placed room by room and beds rebuilt.
Christchurch neighbourhoods: what to expect on moving day
Each part of BH23 brings different access questions, and we cover them all at the free home visit.
- The old town, Priory and Quay: narrow streets, older buildings that sit on the pavement and limited kerbside space. We plan where the vehicle stops and whether space needs reserving.
- Mudeford, Stanpit and Friars Cliff: chalet bungalows, family homes and harbourside roads that get very busy on summer days. We set start times to avoid the worst of the beach traffic where we can.
- Highcliffe and Walkford: bungalows, family homes and cliff-top and retirement apartments. For apartments we check lifts, car parks and building rules in advance.
- Somerford, Purewell and Burton: estates and newer housing either side of the main roads, mostly with driveways, where the work is about volume and careful labelling.
- Bransgore, Sopley and Hurn: village and rural homes with gravel drives, narrow lanes and long walks from the road. We decide at the survey whether a smaller vehicle or a shuttle is needed, not on the day.
Retirement apartments and downsizing in Christchurch
Many Christchurch moves are into retirement developments and smaller apartments. These need a little extra planning:
- We check lift size, corridor widths and any rules on moving hours set by the house manager
- We measure your favourite furniture against the new rooms, so you know what will fit before the day
- We protect communal areas as well as your new apartment
- Family members are welcome to join the home visit, in person or by phone
Anything you are not taking can go into storage while you decide what to do with it.
When to book your Christchurch removal
Fridays, the end of the month and the summer holidays are the busiest times for house moves, because that is when most completions and tenancies fall. If your date is fixed, book your free home visit as soon as you have an idea of timing. We can always adjust the date once your completion is confirmed.
If you can be flexible, a midweek move is usually easier to book. Near Mudeford, Highcliffe and Avon Beach, summer weekends bring heavy traffic, and the A35 and A337 can be slow at peak times, so we plan timings around them wherever the move allows.
If your completion slips or your new home isn't ready, we can collect on the day and keep everything in containerised storage until you are ready, without handling your belongings twice.
Moving checklist for Christchurch
A few local jobs are easy to forget when you move within, into or out of Christchurch:
- Council tax: Christchurch is in the BCP Council area (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole). Tell BCP Council your moving date so your account is closed or moved correctly.
- Parking permits: if you have a resident or visitor parking permit, update it with BCP Council for your new address.
- Bins and recycling: check the collection days at your new address, and book a bulky waste collection early if you are clearing out large items before the move.
- Schools: if you are changing schools within the BCP area, in-year applications go through BCP Council.
- Bransgore and Sopley: these villages are just over the county line in Hampshire, so council tax, parking and bins go to New Forest District Council instead.
- Building rules for flats: let your building manager or managing agent know your moving date, and ask about lift bookings, protection and permitted hours.
- Parking for the lorry: if your street is busy or has restrictions, ask us at the survey whether space needs reserving.
Our moving guides have more tips for planning your move.
Recent Christchurch moves
Some of the Christchurch moves we've booked recently:
- Within Christchurch (BH23): a family home
- Boscombe (BH7) into Christchurch (BH23): a family home
- Kinson (BH11) to Christchurch (BH23): a smaller move
Every one started with a free home visit, so we knew exactly what was involved before the day.
Why choose 1st Choice in Christchurch
- Family-run since 1990, started by Alan and Richard Vaughan
- British Association of Removers members since 2011, offering the BAR Advance Payment Guarantee on inland domestic moves
- Our full-time staff and trained crews
- Covered up to £100,000 while in our care, when you declare the value of your goods
- Specialist handling for pianos, antiques and artwork
Call 01202 570970 or email admin@1stchoiceremovals.net.
Your questions answered
Do you cover removals in Christchurch, Dorset?
Yes. 1st Choice Removals moves homes throughout Christchurch and the BH23 postcode, including Mudeford, Highcliffe, Friars Cliff, Stanpit, Somerford, Burton, Bransgore and Walkford. We are a family-run removals and storage company based near Wimborne, and have been moving local households since 1990.
Is a home visit free in Christchurch?
Yes. Free home visits are available across all BH postcodes, including BH23. One of our moving consultants looks at your belongings, stairs, access and parking, and it usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes. It is free, with absolutely no obligation. Get a quote and we will book your free home visit.
Do you come out to see my home before quoting?
Yes, if you live in our area. We visit every local home to see what's involved, even when you're moving a long way, such as to another part of the UK or abroad. If you're moving to us from outside our area, where we can't visit, we survey your home over a video call instead. Both are free, with no obligation.
Can you move me from Christchurch to another part of the UK?
Yes. We move people from Christchurch all over the UK. For longer moves, we can load on one day, keep your belongings secure overnight and deliver the next day, as we did for a client moving to Ashford in Kent. We also offer European and worldwide removals if you are moving abroad.
How do you handle parking in Christchurch old town?
We check parking and access at the survey. Some streets near the Priory and Quay are narrow with limited space, and parking is managed by BCP Council, so space may need to be reserved. Where a large lorry cannot get close, we can shuttle belongings with a smaller vehicle to keep the move safe.
Do you help people downsizing to a bungalow or flat in Christchurch?
Yes, it is one of the most common moves we do in the area. We can pack for you, move only the items you are keeping, and put the rest into storage while you decide. Our crews also dismantle and rebuild furniture so it fits your new rooms.
How much does a removal in Christchurch cost?
We quote each move individually rather than publishing set prices. The price depends on the volume, access at both properties, distance, and any packing or storage you choose. After a free home visit you receive a written quote by email, which you can accept online. Get a quote or call 01202 570970. Our guide to what decides the cost of a removal explains more.
Do you move homes in Highcliffe, Bransgore and the villages near the New Forest?
Yes. Highcliffe, Walkford, Bransgore, Sopley and Hurn are all in the BH23 postcode, so a free home visit is available there too. Rural and village properties can have gravel drives, narrow lanes or long walks from the road, so we check access at the survey and choose the right vehicle for the job.
Is my money protected if I book a Christchurch move with you?
Yes, on inland domestic moves. We have been members of the British Association of Removers since 2011 and offer the BAR Advance Payment Guarantee, which protects money you pay in advance if a member company cannot complete your move. Your belongings are also covered while in our care, up to £100,000 when you declare their value.
Can you move me into a retirement apartment in Christchurch or Highcliffe?
Yes. We check the lift, corridors, parking and any rules the house manager has about moving times. We protect communal areas as well as your apartment, and place furniture where you want it. It helps to tell the house manager your moving date as early as possible.
Will summer traffic affect my Christchurch move?
It can, especially near Mudeford, Highcliffe and the beaches, and on the A35 and A337 at peak times. We plan start times and routes around the traffic, and if your dates are flexible we will suggest the easiest days.
How far ahead should I book a removal in Christchurch?
As early as you can, especially for a Friday, the end of the month or the school holidays, when most completions happen. Book your free home visit once you have a rough idea of timing. We can confirm or move the date when your completion is agreed.
Can you store my belongings between Christchurch house moves?
Yes. We have around 1,000 storage units across four local sites and use containerised storage, so your belongings are packed into a sealed container at your home and not handled again until delivery. Storage can be for a few days between completions or longer term while you renovate or look for the right home.
Do you dismantle and reassemble furniture in Christchurch?
Yes. Dismantling and reassembling beds, wardrobes and other furniture is available as an optional extra, charged on top, and we include it in your written quote if you need it.