Hengistbury Head

Hengistbury Head is a sandstone headland and archeological site which lies between Bournemouth and Mudeford. It is a scheduled Ancient Monument, a Local Nature Reserve, a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area, an Environmentally Sensitive Area and a Site of Nature Conservation Importance

The view is across the estuary of the River Stour where it enters Christchurch Harbour. In the centre of the image is Christchurch Priory an ecclesiastical parish and former priory church. The priory has one of the longest naves in England exceeding that of some cathedrals. Its history goes back before the 11th century. There was a Norman church established by the mid 12th century. This was followed by ongoing building so that by the start of the 16th century the church is very much as it looks today.

On service 23 to Tuckton Bridge where it would change to service 22 to return to Bournemouth Square via Southbourne. This is the junction of Cranleigh Road with Carbery Avenue where there was a circle of wiring enabling vehicles to turn back from either direction, but only used in special circumstances. The junction has since been remodelled with all traffic using the roadway behind the island with its trees. Link Link This is one of a series of views featuring buses in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Link

Bournemouth trolleybus passing the Town Hall, which still retained its canopy at this time. The view was taken on the final day of trolleybus operation in Bournemouth when a parade of vehicles took place between Bournemouth and Christchurch. This is one of a series of views featuring buses in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Link

The promenade at Southbourne is at the eastern end of a 10-mile promenade along the seafront at Bournemouth. The promenade is on the route of National Cycle Network route 2. However, during the peak summer holiday months of July and August, the promenade is closed to cyclists between 10:00 and 18:00. Between these times, cyclists must use an alternative route.

A café/restaurant on the beachfront at Southbourne, near Bournemouth. The promenade is on the route of National Cycle Network route 2. However, during the peak summer holiday months of July and August, the promenade is closed to cyclists between 10:00 and 18:00. Between these times, cyclists must use an alternative route.

A promenade runs for around 10 miles along the seafront through Bournemouth. This image was taken at Southbourne, near the eastern end of the promenade. The promenade is on the route of National Cycle Network route 2. However, during the peak summer holiday months of July and August, the promenade is closed to cyclists between 10:00 and 18:00. Between these times, cyclists must use an alternative route. In the distance, Hengistbury Head is straight ahead while to the right, the chalk cliffs are at The Needles at the westernmost tip of the Isle of Wight.

A promenade runs for about 10 miles along the seafront through Bournemouth. This image was taken at Southbourne, near the eastern end of the promenade. Here, the promenade is overlooked by beach huts. The promenade is on the route of National Cycle Network route 2. However, during the peak summer holiday months of July and August, the promenade is closed to cyclists between 10:00 and 18:00. Between these times, cyclists must use an alternative route.

A promenade runs for approximately 10 miles along the seafront through Bournemouth. This image was taken at Southbourne, approaching the eastern end of the promenade. Visible through the lamp posts is Hengistbury Head while to the right, in shade, are The Needles which lie at the westernmost tip of the Isle of Wight. The promenade is on the route of National Cycle Network route 2. However, during the peak summer holiday months of July and August, the promenade is closed to cyclists between 10:00 and 18:00. Between these times, cyclists must use an alternative route.

A promenade runs for 10 miles along the seafront through Bournemouth, starting at Sandbanks and ending here at Southbourne. Straight ahead is Hengistbury Head. In the distance to the right are cliffs at Alum Bay and The Needles, on the Isle of Wight.

As its name suggests, Southbourne Coast Road runs close to the coast at Southbourne, near Bournemouth. The road forms part of the route of National Cycle Network route 2.

Paths along the coastline between Southbourne and Hengistbury Head.

A boardwalk along the coast near Hengistbury Head. Hengistbury Head itself is in the background. To the right, in the distance, are the cliffs at Alum Bay and The Needles, at the western end of the Isle of Wight.

Groynes reduce the amount of longshore drift, and help sand to build up in front of the cliff. Ocean groynes commonly run perpendicular to the shore, extending from the upper foreshore or beach into the water. Groynes can be made of wood, concrete, or rock piles, and placed in groups and they are often used in combination with seawalls. All of a groyne may be under water, in which case it is called a submerged groyne. The areas between groups of groynes are groyne fields. Revetments and boulders stop strong waves hitting the base of the soft cliffs. This reduces the amount of sand, clay and gravel which is eroded. Revetments can be constructed from wood, they can be found in the form of wooden piles, loose-piled boulders or concrete shapes, or more solid banks. Commonly they are sloping structures placed on banks or cliffs in such a way as to absorb the energy of incoming water. Coastal revetments are usually built to preserve the existing uses of the shoreline and to protect the dunes or cliffs behind it from erosion. Groynes and revetments do not protect the cliff from water which comes from the land, particularly after heavy storms. The water which collects in the clays in the cliff frequently makes them wet and unstable, which makes them collapse. Drainage pipes help drain the water out of the cliff face. This reduces the risk of the cliff collapsing when it is too wet and saturated. A sea wall acts as a layer between the vulnerable coastline and the ocean. Wave action can beat at the sea wall without eroding the coast, although the sea wall itself will eventually break down and require repair or replacement. Sea walls also help to insulate communities from flooding, although high waves can still breach most sea walls. Sea walls are commonly constructed from reinforced concrete. In some instances several lower barriers may precede the sea wall, to help break up the wave energy before the waves hit the wall. Some sea walls are built in the water right next to a shoreline.

A driveway through a coastal nature reserve near Hengistbury Head.

A driveway along the coastline near Hengistbury Head, near Christchurch.

A view along the coastline towards Bournemouth, from Hengistbury Head.