Hengistbury Head Beach, Bournemouth

Description:

Hengistbury Head is a scenic and historic headland near the town of Bournemouth on the south coast of England. It stands mid way between Poole Harbour and Hurst spit and forms the main division between Poole and Christchurch Bays.

Hengisbury Head beach is a south facing pebble beach below imposing clay and ironstone cliffs, and separates Poole Bay and Christchurch Bay. It is a site of Special Scientific interest.

The area is located near Christchurch and from the A338 follow the A3060 sign to Tuckton Bridge. There are pathways at Southbourne promenade, from the grassed areas to the beach.

There is a car park with 500 pay-and-display spaces.

Local facilities include a beach café, and there are toilets and baby changing facilities available. The Hengistbury Head Centre offers environmental education and sailing courses.

The number 12 Yellow open- topped bus runs in the summer, linking it with Christchurch, Hengistbury Head, the piers, the Chines and Sandbanks. Harbour Road, a little over half an hour away, is on the number 22 route to Bournemouth, Southbourne and Somerford.

The area Hengistbury Head has a very difficult and interesting history. The Head remains a beautiful wilderness which is being rapidly lost to the sea. Since its days as a great port half the Head has been lost to erosion.

Hengistbury Head was arguably the premier port for the import of continental goods such as Italian wine in around 100 BC. Some have referred to it as the first truly urban settlement in England.

The Head today is used for a variety of reasons. Firstly as a tourist spot where country walks can be taken all over the Head due to the well defined gravel paths, some of which form part of the Bournemouth Coast Path. During 2008, many paths have been resurfaced, making more (though not all) parts of the Head wheelchair accessible. For example, it is now possible to gain wheelchair access to Quarry Pool.

On the Bournemouth side a scenic land train goes the end of the spit, a journey of ten or so minutes. Due to the dense bracken and grass on many parts it has suffered several severe fires in the past decade. The fields and reserved areas near the car park provide an ideal spot to watch and listen to a significant population of Skylarks during the Summer months.

This wild and and totally natural envirement incorporates many different habitats and supports a wide variety of wildlife and rare plant species.

Hengistbury Head was also a manufacturing centre, since the rocks in the area were rich in iron. Many coins have been found here, including examples of what seem to be ancient forgeries, with a bronze base dipped in silver.

For many years it has been a site of Scientific Interest and a major tourist attraction. Each year it attracts visitors from all over the world. Hengistbury Head is also a major educational resource and is heavily used as the foundation and subject for a range of studies related to local history and the environment.

Many visitors to Hengistbury Head enjoy hiking and rambling across its natural, yet accessible terrain. In the Summer the sandy beaches in particular, are a major draw for families. The lowland area to the West of Hengistbury Head is extensively use for kite flying and is also a popular picnic site.

Quite why Hengistbury Head was finally abandoned completely, around 450AD is not clearly understood, but for whatever reason the Head, once the greatest port in Britain, returned to wilderness.

Places to visit on a rainy day are:-

The Sovereign Centre, Boscombe. An array of shops all under one roof with adjoining car parking.

Bournemouth Eye, Lower Gardens. This tethered balloon reaches a height of 500 feet and has panaramic views of the surrounding area. Does not fly in windy weather.