Hengistbury Head.
Four Paws Dogs love it here! The beaches are dog friendly and so is the Cafe!
An easy coastal loop with much to see.
Distance 3.3 miles (5.3km)
Minimum time 2hrs
Dog friendliness. Keep to paths to avoid destroying habitat and disturbing ground-nesting birds
Parking Car park (fee) at end of road, signed ‘Hengistbury Head’.
Public toilets Beside car park.
1 From the corner of the car park take the grassy path towards the sea, with the fenced-off lines of the Double Dikes to your left. At the sea-edge you can see for miles each way: to the towers of Bournemouth, the chalky Foreland and Durlston Head to the west, Christchurch Bay and the Isle of Wight to the east.
2 Turn left and follow the road along the cliffs. The Priory Church in Christchurch dominates the view inland across the harbour, with St Catherine’s Hill behind. Follow the road up the hill. Pause to admire the boggy pond on your right, home to the rare natterjack toad. The road narrows; climb up some steps, passing a numbered post marking the Stour Valley Way. As you climb the steep path, the views back along the coast are fabulous, and there are views across the shallows of Christchurch Harbour, usually buzzing with windsurfers and sailing dinghies.
3 On the heathy top of Warren Hill a viewing platform tells you that you’re 75 miles (120km) from Cherbourg and 105 miles (168km) from Jersey. Keep right along the path, passing a deserted coastguard station and following the top of the cliffs. Descend into a deep hollow, where the sea appears to be breaking through. Keep straight on, following the curve of the head, with views across to the Needles. At the end the path turns down through some trees; descend the steps. Walk along the sparkling, white sand on the sea side of the beach huts to the point. Stone groynes form little bays.
4 At the end of the spit you’re only a stone’s throw from the opposite shore (a ferry runs across to the pub from the end of a pier, passed further on). Turn round the end of the point, passing the old Black House, and walk up the inner side of the spit, overlooking the harbour.
5 If you’ve had enough beach and breeze, you can catch the land train back to the car park from here (times vary seasonally). Otherwise, join the metalled road which curves round to the right past the freshwater marsh and lagoon.
6 At a post marked ’19’ turn right on to the sandy path and follow it briefly through the woods, crossing a small ditch, to emerge back on the road. Turn right, passing extensive reedbeds on the right and a bird sanctuary on the left. Continue past the thatched barn and follow the road to the café, ranger station building and car park.