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Bournemouth Hengistbury West Beach is a scenic and ecologically significant destination located on the Dorset coast, forming part of the 15 kilometre coastline of Poole Bay.
Bournemouth Hengistbury West Beach is situated on the west side of the Hengistbury Headland, a promontory that juts out almost a mile into the sea, separating Poole Bay and Christchurch Bay. The beach is approximately one kilometre wide and is composed mainly of shingle and pebble.
The Hengistbury Headland, which includes the beach, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and remains largely undeveloped. The terrain is a mix of heathland, woodland, wetland, and scrub, providing a habitat for a variety of plant and animal life. The headland is also thought to have been home to one of Britain's first Iron Age communities.
The beach offers views towards Poole Bay and the western tip of the Isle of Wight. It is a popular spot for swimming and surfing, although there is no lifeguard cover. Visitors can access the beach via a miniature land train that operates along a circular route, taking in the main car park and Mudeford Spit. The beach is also dog-friendly throughout the year.
The Hengistbury Headland has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and most of the headland remains undeveloped. There are nature trails and a visitor centre, with information boards providing details about the wildlife and history of the area. Access to the beach is available via a land train from the Hungry Horse cafe.
Bournemouth Hengistbury West Beach is adjacent to the Bournemouth Coast Path.
Shingle Pebbles
Tonight | ![]() |
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Chance of rain | 44% |
Min temp. | 16°C |
(feels like | 15°C) |
Wind 11mph | ![]() |
Tomorrow |
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Chance of rain | 48% |
Max temp. | 22°C |
(feels like | 19°C) |
Wind 13mph | ![]() |
Max UV Index | ![]() |
The tide at Bournemouth Hengistbury West Beach is currently high. Low tide will be at approximately 1:48 AM tomorrow, and the next high tide will be at approximately 7:09 AM tomorrow.
Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low
Approximate sea surface temperature:
18.5°C
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Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre (0.3 miles)
Christchurch Priory Church (1.1 miles)
Marvo Mysteries Escape Room Bournemouth (3.9 miles)
Oceana Day Spa (4 miles)
The MacGuffin Project (4.4 miles)
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum (4.4 miles)
Dorset Day Trips (4.7 miles)
Be At One Cocktail Bar (4.8 miles)
All distances are approximate
less than a mile east-southeast as the seagull flies, around 5 miles by road.
just over a mile east as the seagull flies, around 6 miles by road.
around 5 miles east-northeast as the seagull flies, around 9 miles by road.
around 2 miles west as the seagull flies, around 2 miles by road.
around 4 miles west as the seagull flies, around 4 miles by road.
around 5 miles west as the seagull flies, around 8 miles by road.
around 8 miles west-southwest as the seagull flies, around 11 miles by road.
Location: Hengistbury Head, Bournemouth
Location type: Urban
OS Grid: SZ163908
Country: England
Local Authority: Bournemouth
Nearest postcode: BH6 4EN
(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)
Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.
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