Explore the amazing views at Hengistbury Head
On your way to Christchurch, stop by scenic Hengistbury Head, one of England’s most significant Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which offers walking routes with outstanding views of the nature reserve, Christchurch harbour, Bournemouth Bay, and the Isle of Wight.
Not only is Head an interesting location to visit because of its many ecosystems (heathland, grassland, scrub, forest, freshwater wetland, and coastland), but it also has globally significant archaeology and geology.
Over 500 plant species, 300 bird species, a wide range of insects, reptiles, and small mammals make these ecosystems home, including adders, skylarks, sand-lizards, and natterjack toads (one of Britain’s rarest animals).
The magnificent geological structures of the headland hide mysteries from millions of years ago. For almost 12,000 years, humans have lived, worked, and played at this location, according to evidence. Although much of the evidence is concealed, if you know where to look, you can discover clues all around the property – the Visitor Centre is a wonderful location to start your tour, where you can pick up a trail brochure, view the exhibition, or ask the crew what to search for along the way.
Hengistbury Head is a relatively unspoiled beach that frequently appears in TripAdvisor’s annual Travellers’ Choice® awards for Beaches. It includes a south-facing pebble beach with magnificent clay and ironstone cliffs, as well as soft, sandy beaches on Mudeford spit, which is surrounded by the iconic Mudeford beach huts.
Spend the day at Hengistbury Head — take the land train from the Hiker Café down to Mudeford and enjoy the beaches, then return through a delightful stroll, stopping at the Visitor Centre for some local, coastal, or ecologically responsible souvenirs (the money spent in the shop helps support the conservation work on-site).
