Route: Hengistbury Head
Area: Dorset
Date of walk: 7th August 2014
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 2.6 miles
Weather: Perfect
We were staying at the excellent Christchurch Harbour Hotel and we decided to walk from our hotel across to Hengistbury Head on the far side of the bay. If all went according to plan we would meet Mark, Gilly’s brother in law, and his wife Carolyn, walking towards us from their home in nearby Southbourne
After a short distance we caught the Mudeford Ferry (‘when the flag is flying we are running’) and the short journey took us across to the other side of the harbour
We walked along Mudeford Sandbank admiring the picturesque – and very expensive – beach huts which line the unspoilt beach
At the end of the beach we climbed up the steps to Hengistbury Head, from where there are wonderful sea views. We walked along the headland and about half way along and, just as planned, we were delighted to see Mark and Carolyn, who accompanied us down to the beach (and provided tea and biscuits and a ride back to our hotel – thanks you two for making this wonderful walk possible!)
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View from the hotel terrace overlooking Christchurch Harbour
Photo of a Little Egret taken from the terrace
Heading towards Mudeford Quay
Little Haven Mudeford
The ferry is about to leave so we hop on board
Leaving Mudeford Quay
The ferry takes us across the mouth of the harbour
Mudeford Sandbank and its beach huts, reputed to be the most expensive in the country
Looking back towards our hotel across the harbour
The Isle of Wight in the distance
After that short walk along the beach, we climb up the steps to Hengistbury Head
Looking back down to Mudeford Sandbank
An easy path runs along the headland
A carpet of heather
We pass by the freshwater Quarry Pond
Looking back to Mudeford Sandbank and the mouth of the harbour
We spot a familiar figure heading our way - it’s Mark, accompanied by Lettie
Mark points out the location of his sailing club in the distance
Carolyn joins us and the four of us carry on along Hengistbury Head admiring the wonderful views
Looking west towards Southbourne and Bournemouth just before we descend from Hengistbury Head
Looking back up to the Head
Down to the beach - from here we walked to Mark and Carolyn’s house for tea and biscuits
Back at our hotel now and zooming across to Mudeford Sandbank where we’d walked earlier
