Palace Court Theatre

The Palace Court Theatre in Christchurch is a proper old-fashioned playhouse that does exactly what a local theatre should - puts on shows that make you want to book a night out. It's housed in a traditional building right in the town centre, and the whole setup has that intimate feel you don't get in larger venues. The programme tends toward pantomime, musicals and classic plays, though it also hosts comedy nights and local performances that actually draw a crowd.

Really, it's best suited to theatre-goers rather than casual tourists passing through. If you're staying nearby - Meadowbank Holidays is only 3.6 miles away, or Sandhills Holiday Park at under six miles - then checking what's on is worth doing before you book your break. You might catch something decent and avoid another generic evening back at the caravan.

The theatre itself won't take long to visit if you're just popping in to pick up tickets or see what's showing, but obviously you'll want to factor in show times if you plan to actually sit down and watch something. It's that kind of place that works brilliantly if there's a production you actually fancy, but you shouldn't make it a destination on its own. Worth knowing about though if you're basing yourself in Christchurch for a few days.