Hengistbury Head: A Great Day Out in Dorset
Hengistbury Head is the perfect place to spend a day on the beach in Dorset. The fabulous nature reserve juts out between the seaside towns of Bournemouth and Mudeford and is situated south of Christchurch Harbour.
Hengistbury Head offers visitors a lovely sandy beach, numerous clifftop and harbour-side walks and fantastic views of the Isle of White and the New Forest.
It is a great place to visit for days out in Dorset for adults and children alike, and there are so many quirky places to stay that you may decide to stay a bit longer than just one day!
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Relax on Hengistbury Head Beach
Pay-and-display parking is plentiful and adjacent to the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre. The Hiker Café is next door and a great place to start or finish your day with a coffee, cake, or ice cream.
Bring your own picnic, beach deck chairs, and an umbrella, and prepare for a relaxing beach day after exploring the headland.
Enjoy The Hengistbury Head Walk
If you are feeling energetic, walk the 3.7-mile loop of Hengistbury Head, which can be completed in one and a half hours.
The walk will cover several different environments, including the Double Dykes, which means many opportunities for wildlife spotting, perfect for nature lovers.
Several ponds are en route, so keep an ear out for the rare Natterjack Toad. From May to July, you can hear them calling to each other after dusk, often from over a mile away!
Birdwatchers will find this area the perfect local nature spot to observe over 300 species, including kestrels and skylarks.
Facts About Hengistbury Head
Hengistbury Head is designated an ancient monument because an Upper Palaeolithic settlement dating back to the Iron Age is believed to lie beneath it. For this reason, it is one of England's most important Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The Famous Beach Huts of Mudeford Spit
Make sure to visit the sandbank of Mudeford Spit, accessed via Hengistbury Head. The famous painted Hengistbury Head beach huts are among the country's most sought-after beachside huts.
The average price for a beach hut here is £350k, and that's without an internal toilet or running water (washing facilities are in a nearby block). Complete madness, maybe, but plenty of buyers are eager to own one of the most desirable beach huts in the UK.
If you want to experience a stay in one of these Dorset beach huts, you can rent a beach hut and enjoy the pretty views out to sea and across the harbour.
During the summer months, if you don't want to walk to Mudeford Spit, you can take the Mudeford land train from Henigstbury Head car park.
From here, you can catch the Mudeford Ferry. It's a small passenger ferry that sails between Mudeford Spit and the quay on the other side of the entrance to Christchurch Harbour. Once in Christchurch, you'll find plenty to do, from visiting the abbey to taking a pleasure boat along the river.
Getting to Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve
By Car:
Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre, Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve,
Bournemouth, Dorset BH6 4EW
By Train:
Christchurch is the nearest train station to Hengistbury Head, just over a mile away. Direct routes from London Waterloo take just under two hours. Then, you can take the bus or ferry from Christchurch to Hengistbury Head.
By Coach:
Travel from London to Bournemouth via National Express Coach will take under 3 hours.
By Bus:
The Bournemouth Hop-On-Hop-Off Tourist Bus will stop at both Christchurch and Hengistbury Head.
Best Accommodation in Dorset near Hengistbury Head
Best Things to Do in Dorset near Hengistbury Head
Christchurch's medieval church and 11th-century priory ruins sit alongside a lovely harbour, where boat trips will take you along the River Stour to view the surrounding area.
If you fancy trying boating, hire one for an hour from Quay Leisure Boat Hire in the harbour.
I had a fabulous time meandering along the river for only £40 for 1 hour (2026 price), such an enjoyable experience.
In Christchurch, you will also find Tuckton Tea Gardens, a traditional cosy café in beautiful gardens beside the River Stour.
With stunning views down the river Stour and to Christchurch Priory, sit back and watch the boats go by while enjoying afternoon tea, light lunches or locally made ice cream.
A putting green and crazy golf course will keep the whole family amused.
Bournemouth Beach is one of Britain's best beaches. It is the main attraction when visiting Bournemouth, and with seven miles of golden sands and blue-flag status for safety and cleanliness, it's not to see why!
If you prefer to venture further afield, I recommend visiting the New Forest National Park.
In just 40 minutes by car, you will be able to experience the beauty of this area with its quintessential English villages and, of course, the New Forest Ponies who reside here.
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Angela Price: is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel.
With over 40 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations.
Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”. Read more about Angie.
Just got back from a short easter break away and visited Hengistbury Head after reading this article and had a brilliant time! The scenery was lovely and we really enjoyed the walk to Mudeford (even had a dip in the sea even though it was freezing!). All the heather was out as well so it was a sea of yellow everywhere you looked.
Thanks for giving us the inspiration to visit!
Hi Chloe, Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how my blog post inspired your visit. You are very brave getting in the sea in April but what an amazing way to spend Easter. I hope you will keep reading my blog posts and find inspiration in some of the others that are published on my site.
Well this is seriously enticing! Great photos and info. We've been to the New Forest years ago and I'd go back to that area now just to see Bournemouth Beach! I had no idea England had beaches like that. And I love the beach huts.
What a beautiful place. I love those beach huts look similar to ours on the Peninsula. We are unable to rent ours, they are privately owned, some have power but your not allowed to stay overnight. They can fetch over $100,000 Aus if sold. The sandy toes how interesting.