Hengistbury Head

With it's seemingly impossibly high cliffs and a scary slippery path climbing it's face, Hengistbury Head was always one of my favourite places to visit at the weekend. It was fitting then that whilst visiting my parents in the UK we had the chance to take Martin there. The cliffs were no longer as steep and tall of course and the scary path has long since disappeared in the face of continued erosion, but the headland and spit is still a very special place to visit. There is a very good website http://www.hengistbury-head.co.uk  which has a lot of detail about the history, geology and some ecology of the area.

 There are three routes to choose from on the headland. Firstly the beach itself, then the hilltop and finally the private road behind the hill that the 'train' runs along.  We walked out along the beach and rounded the long groyne, before stopping for morning tea at the café and then shortly afterwards lunch on the beach. The water of the Solent was much warmer than I remembered and I managed a decent dip.

From the top of Hengistbury Head - looking along the spit.

Beach Huts.

More Beach Huts.

With with parents on top of Hengistbury Head.

The historic Black House.

Beach Hut Alley.

We made it all the way out to Mudeford Spit, before returning past the Black House. We walked back over the hill which gives great views out over the Solent, Bournemouth and the surrounding area. You can also spy on the trains from the viewpoint at the top without having to walk back along the road.

Looking back to Mudeford Spit and Christchurch Harbour.

The view down to the beaches.

Christchurch Priory.