The Best Hengistbury Head Walks includes 3 coastal walks starting at the main Hengistbury Head car park which is located just 1 mile south-east from Christchurch in East Dorset.
All walks listed below start at Hengistbury Head Car Park BH6 4EN (Google map). For car park charges and more information scroll down to the bottom of the page.
1. Hengistbury Head to Mudeford Sandbank Walk
Distance: 3.8 miles circular
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 1 hour 35 mins
Total ascent 128ft, Highest point 131ft
Starting point: Hengistbury Head Beach Car Park BH6 4EN (Google map)
OS Map: Explorer OL15 Purbeck & South Dorset
Link to GPS route map
https://www.outdooractive.com/
https://www.alltrails.com/
https://explore.osmaps.com/
2. Hengistbury Head Beach to Mudeford Sandbank Walk
Distance: 4.2 miles circular
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 1 hour 45 mins
Total ascent 128ft, Highest point 131ft
Starting point: Hengistbury Head Beach Car Park BH6 4EN (Google map)
OS Map: Explorer OL15 Purbeck & South Dorset
Link to GPS route map
https://www.outdooractive.com/
https://www.alltrails.com/
https://explore.osmaps.com/
3. Hengistbury Head around Christchurch Harbour Walk
Distance: 7.5 miles circular
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 3 hours
Total ascent 23ft, Highest point 20ft
Starting point: Hengistbury Head Beach Car Park BH6 4EN (Google map)
OS Map: Explorer OL15 Purbeck & South Dorset
Ferries from Mudeford Sandbank to Mudeford Quay run every 15 minutes from Easter to late October. Adult one-way fare is £2.50 or £1 for children. Check the website www.mudefordferry.co.uk for up-to-date information.
Link to GPS route map
https://www.outdooractive.com/
https://www.alltrails.com/
https://explore.osmaps.com/
4. Hengistbury Head to Highcliffe Castle Walk (one-way)
Distance: 3.8 miles one-way
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 1 hour 35 mins
Total ascent 194ft, Highest point 56ft
Starting point: Hengistbury Head Beach Car Park BH6 4EN (Google map)
OS Map: Explorer OL15 Purbeck & South Dorset
Ferries from Mudeford Sandbank to Mudeford Quay run every 15 minutes from Easter to late October. Adult one-way fare is £2.50 or £1 for children. Check the website www.mudefordferry.co.uk for up-to-date information.
Link to GPS route map
https://www.outdooractive.com/
https://www.alltrails.com/
https://explore.osmaps.com/
5. Hengistbury Head to Bournemouth Pier Walk (one-way)
Distance: 4.9 miles one-way
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated time: 2 hours
Total ascent 26ft, Highest point 39ft
Starting point: Hengistbury Head Beach Car Park BH6 4EN (Google map)
OS Map: Explorer OL15 Purbeck & South Dorset
Link to GPS route map
https://www.outdooractive.com/
https://www.alltrails.com/
https://explore.osmaps.com/
Hengistbury Head Car Park
Sat Nav Postcode BH6 4EN (Google map of car park)
There is a large 24 hour long stay car park for visitors to Hengistbury Head and Mudeford Sandbank. You can’t pay by cash but the machines will accept payment by card. Alternatively you can pay by phone or by using an online app (JustPark, RingGo or PayByPhone). Even though this is a 24 hour car park the gates to the car park are locked between 10pm and 5am. This is to provide added security for people leaving their cars and staying overnight at the beach huts on Mudeford Sandbank.
More details can be found on the https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Parking/ website
Hengistbury Head Parking Charges
| Apr-Oct | Nov-Mar | |
| Up to 1 hour | £2.50 | £2.10 |
| Up to 2 hours | £5 | £2.10 |
| Up to 3 hours | £6.20 | £4.20 |
| Up to 4 hours | £7.50 | £4.20 |
| Up to 6 hours | £11.30 | £4.20 |
| Up to 24 hours | £18.50 | £4.20 |
| Weekly | £40.70 | – |