Hengistbury Head:
A landscape shaped by time
Mining and its legacy
Between 1848 and 1870, industrial activity left a lasting scar on Hengistbury Head. Tons of ironstone doggers - natural rock formations that had protected the coastline for thousands of years - were quarried from the shoreline, seabed, and Warren Hill, then shipped to South Wales for iron smelting.
Within just a few decades, a third of the headland was lost to the sea. This dramatic erosion highlights the delicate balance between human activity and natural preservation.
Our tribes
As part of our Hengistbury Head story we commissioned Tom Gauld, cartoonist from the Guardian, to create a family of Stick People to represent both our present day visitors, and the settlers of the past.
The Boater
Iron Age to Present day
The Hunter-Gatherer
Old Stone Age
The Herder
Neolithic Farmer to present day Ranger
The Stone Age Hunter
The Wifi User
Present day
The Explorers
The Dog Walker
The Bikers
Whether you're planning your first trip to Hengistbury Head or you are one of our seasoned regulars, we invite you to think about your place in the present day in relation to all those people that went before you and to ask yourself:
‘Which tribe do I belong to?’
More than just wildlife
Hengistbury Head is a place of extraordinary natural and historical value. People have lived, worked, and explored here for over 12,000 years. While much of that history lies hidden, the landscape is full of clues—if you know where to look.
Explore how the geology of the Head helps protect its future, and how our ranger team works tirelessly to conserve its wildlife, archaeology, and ancient heritage.
Discover the past at the Visitor Centre
Step inside the Visitor Centre and take a journey through 65 million years of natural history and human occupation. From prehistoric hunters to Iron Age traders, the story of Hengistbury Head is brought to life through engaging exhibitions and live displays.
Exhibition highlights
- Ask the Expert – Interactive displays answer questions like:
-
- How did this become a major Iron Age port?
- How did Stone Age people make fire?
- What did ancient hunter-gatherers really look like?
- How do you turn ironstone into iron?
- Wild Watch, Live! – Watch local wildlife in real time via nest cams and aquaria. See chicks hatch, fish feed, and underwater life unfold before your eyes.
- Temporary Exhibitions – Visit the Upstairs Gallery for rotating displays featuring local artists, natural history, and more.
A site of national and international importance
Hengistbury Head holds multiple conservation designations, including:
- Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
- Scheduled Ancient Monument
- Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
- Special Protection Area (SPA)
- Local Nature Reserve
- Green Belt & Green Flag Award
It’s home to:
- Over 500 plant species
- Around 300 bird species
- A third of the UK’s moth species
- A rich variety of insects, reptiles, and small mammals