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Hengistbury Head
| LOCALITY: | Christchurch, DorsetPrint this page |
| DISTANCE: | 3 miles (4.83 km) |
| FACILITIES: | Circular route, There & back, Parking, Suitable for wheelchairs, Toilets, Cafe |
| OS MAP: | New Forest |
| GRADIENT: | A few ups & downs |
| TERRAIN: | Easy |
Walk description:
Follow the A338/dual carriageway from Ringwood to Bournemouth. Take the first turning off to Christchurch. Turn left into Hurn Road/Fairmile Road until you come over the Christchurch railway bridge. Turn right immediately, after the bridge into Stour Road before the Railway pub. Go straight down this road, across the traffic lights, and straight across the next roundabout over Tuckton bridge. Then go straight across Tuckton roundabout then follow the brown signs to Solent Meads. Next take the first left, signposted for Hengistbury Head. Drive along The Broadway. Then at the end of The Broadway go straight ahead toward Hengistbury Head.
For Sat. Nav. user the postcode is BH6 4EN
There is a pay and display car park, next to the public toilet. There is a disabled toilet, but you will need a Radar key. If you don’t have one you can collect a key from the Hiker café next door.
The Hiker Café is a pleasant café that has room for wheelchairs and buggies.
This is a beautiful walk on the edge of Bournemouth with views of Purbecks, Christchurch, Mudeford, the New Forest and the Isle of Wight.
You have a choice of three walks:
a) There is a easy tarmac path along the left of Hengistbury Head where the little land train runs, there and back. The walk starts just past the café along a tarmac road. The signpost point to Stour Valley Ferry. Initially there is a small up hill gradient. Walk along this path, and on your left you have lovely views over Chistchurch Harbour. At the fork in the path go straight on and you will come to a wooded area. Keep walking straight on, and on your right is a Bird Sanctuary. As you walk along you can hear many birds singing. After a while you will come to Mudeford Sand Spit Lagoon, and Holloway’s Dock, on your left. Here you are able to observe wildlife. After a while you will come to beach huts. Follow the path around to the left. On your right are several entrances to a lovely sandy beach. Keep going and you will then come to the Land train stop. From here you need to retrace your steps back to where you started.
b) For a more challenging walk go straight ahead to the beach, turn left and climb up the hill/the Head. This takes you down some steps at the other side to the beach huts . You can choose to do a circular walk and walk back via the tarmac path.
c) The third choice of walk is along the beach around the Head, which takes you again to the beach huts. This is a walk mainly on coarse gravel.
Additional notes:
Lots of dogs there--a cafe at the beginning of the walk and where the beach huts are, also toilets on each end. You can also take the train with buggy and dog there and back or one way.
You can also fly kites at an allocated area. The car park is pay and display but if you don't mind walking another 10 minutes you can park in the residential area coming up to it off The Broadway.
I did the first option which is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. This was a lovely walk which is very
peaceful. As you go along you are aware of the birds singing. It ended up at a lovely sandy beach. Definetly
worth a visit. Next time I will attempt the other options. I also had a very pleasant tea and cake in the cafe
by the car park.
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