Welcome to Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre
Take a walk in the footsteps of our ancestors, explore the beautiful, rugged landscape and learn about the fascinating array of wildlife at Hengistbury Head.
Whatever your plans for the day, the friendly staff and volunteers at the Visitor Centre will help you make the most of your visit.
Visit us
Hengistbury Head is a great place to bring the whole family.
Take the land train for gentle and easy access to Mudeford Sand spit, then enjoy the view with a cup of tea and a slice of cake, or something more substantial in one of the cafes.
How to find us
You can find Hengistbury Head south of Christchurch Harbour. A land train links us to Mudeford Spit and you can get a ferry to Christchurch.
For sat-navs, we recommend BH6 4EW to get to the visitor centre.
Telephone: 01202 128444
Email: hengistburyhead@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
The land train
The train usually runs 10am to 4pm between Easter and October. It takes a break between 1pm and 1:30pm, and runs until 5pm during school summer holidays.
Walking your dog
Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Hengistbury Head, but please respect that this is a nature reserve with plenty of rare and beautiful wildlife - keep them on a lead wherever possible. Read our doggy code and check out our maps and trail guide for the best way to enjoy the walk with your pet.
Getting around
We've made our walking paths as comfortable as possible - the walk to the headland is the trickiest, but it is possible for wheelchair users to access it with assistance from helpers.
Find out how you can get around the reserve and the exhibition centre on our accessibility page.
Food and drink
From coffees and teas to a tasty local Purbeck ice cream, the Visitor Centre has refreshments whatever the weather. There are great places to grab a drink and a bite in the local area too.
Accessibility
We've made the Visitor Centre and the pathways around the reserve smooth and accessible for all. The journey to the top of the headland is the trickiest part, but it's possible for wheelchair users to get there with helpers. Our rangers can give advice and directions.
The Land Train takes visitors of all abilities and has specially designed carriages for wheelchair users.
The centre has a lift to the mezzanine and a disabled toilet in the courtyard - no RADAR key required. The nearby Hiker Café also has toilets.
What's on
There is so much going on at Hengistbury Head, from exhibitions and guided walks to workshops and online events.
What will you discover?
Featured events
Our live webcams
From bustling breakfast times at the feeder to peaceful swims in the water, see what the local wildlife is up to right now on Hengistbury Head through our live feeds.
School trips and
group visits
Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve provides a special and unique location for education, offering outdoor activities within the heart of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Get involved
If you have enjoyed our beautiful natural space and want to give something back, there's plenty of ways to help - from donations to volunteering.
Wildlife
The diverse habitats of Hengistbury Head are home to over 500 plant species, 300 types of birds, a superb variety of insects, reptiles and small mammals. Learn more about what you might spot on your visit.
Marbled White Butterfly
Melanargia galathea
