The small rural parish of Crichel sits in north‑east Dorset, centred on the neighbouring hamlets of Long Crichel and Moor Crichel. It occupies rolling chalk downland on the fringes of Cranborne Chase, with a landscape of arable fields, hedgerows and quiet lanes popular with walkers; the local economy is largely agricultural with a scattering of private estates.
The area is best known for Crichel House, an imposing country house at the heart of the estate, and for the mid‑20th‑century Crichel Down controversy, which had a lasting influence on ministerial accountability in Whitehall. Nearby market towns such as Blandford Forum and Wimborne Minster provide services, while the parish retains a strongly rural, historically layered character.
Postcode districts covering Crichel
Most populated places nearby
- Bournemouth 12.1 miles19.5 km
- Poole 11 miles17.6 km
- Salisbury 16.5 miles26.5 km
- Christchurch 15.4 miles24.7 km
- Totton 22.6 miles36.4 km
- Totton and Eling 23 miles37 km
- New Milton 18 miles28.9 km
- Ferndown 7.6 miles12.2 km
- Ferndown Town 7.8 miles12.6 km
- Warminster 23.4 miles37.6 km
- Romsey 24.9 miles40 km
- Dorchester 21.9 miles35.2 km
Neighbouring places
- Witchampton Parish 1.4 miles2.3 km
- Cranborne Chase Ward 2 miles3.1 km
- Gussage All Saints Parish 2 miles3.1 km
- Chalbury Parish 2.3 miles3.7 km
- Tarrant Monkton Built-up area 2.5 miles4 km
- Gussage St. Michael Parish 2.5 miles4 km
- Hinton Parish 2.8 miles4.5 km
- Chalbury Common Built-up area 3.1 miles5 km
- Tarrant Hinton Parish 3.1 miles5.1 km
- Gaunt's Common Built-up area 3.3 miles5.3 km
- Chettle Parish 3.4 miles5.5 km
- Tarrant Rushton Parish 3.4 miles5.5 km
Example postcodes in Crichel
BH21 5LE, BH21 5LF, BH21 5EA, BH21 5BE, BH21 5BH, BH21 5DX, BH21 5DY, BH21 5LB, BH21 5JZ … See all
Transport links
- Bournemouth Airport 10.5 miles16.9 km
- Southampton Airport 29.4 miles47.3 km
- Hamworthy Railway Station 10.8 miles17.4 km
- Poole Railway Station 11.4 miles18.3 km
Hotels near Crichel Ad
- The Museum Inn 4 4.1 miles6.6 km
- Horton Inn 2 2 miles3.2 km
- 1777. at the Albion 5.9 miles9.4 km
- The Lion Hotel - Pub & Restaurant 5.8 miles9.4 km
- Crown Hotel 3 6.5 miles10.5 km
- The Talbot 2 8.1 miles13 km
- King's Head Hotel by Greene King Inns 3 5.8 miles9.4 km
Local points of interest
- Crichel House Estate 1.1 miles1.7 km
- Tarrant Abbey Historic site 5.2 miles8.4 km
- Cranborne Chase Forest 6 miles9.7 km
- Holy Cross Abbey (Stapehill, Dorset, England) Historic site 6.9 miles11.2 km
- Western Downs Hill 8.2 miles13.3 km
- Bournemouth Aviation Museum Museum 10.7 miles17.3 km
- Wardour Castle Estate 11 miles17.7 km
- Poole Harbour Harbour 12.6 miles20.2 km
- Dean Court Stadium 12.9 miles20.8 km
- Bournemouth International Centre Theatre 13 miles21 km
- Fonthill Abbey Estate 13.7 miles22 km
- Salisbury Racecourse Recreation 13.9 miles22.4 km