Beaches South West England Hengistbury Head - Dorset | Hengistbury Head - Dorset |
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General About as far east of Bournemouth pier as Studland is south-west, Hengistbury Head provides a rather different option for naturist seaside enjoyment. The Head itself is a magnificent rock outcrop, with prehistoric and Saxon settlements on its top - sadly being lost as erosion eats back the coastline and cliff edge. A stroll up and over the cliff is strongly recommended, although this is emphatically textile territory.. 
Getting There OS Map Ref. SZ172907 - SZ176906 To get to the beach, aim for first for Poole (from west) or Bournemouth (from north or east) then go for "Southbourne". The exception is that if you travel by stopping train you should get off at Christchurch station. Buses from Poole, Christchurch and Bournemouth will take you to Southbourne. Try to get one which goes to or via Hengistbury Head, or right to the end of Southbourne prom - otherwise it's quite a walk from central Southbourne. There are several carparks at the base of Hengistbury Head (one used to be called "Golf Course", another "Beach East", but these things change!). Parking on the road isn't really an option. Most roads are double-yellow lined, or have parking restricted to residents and other permit holders (no information available on disabled parking - sorry). Car parking is well signed from the outskirts of Southbourne. It's not cheap, although out of season there are sometimes bargains available - I've parked free a couple of times. Once within sight of the Hengistbury Head visitor centre (with its shops, cafe and toilets) you are also as far east as you can go and still get down onto the beach. Ahead of you is the usual naturist's trek - perhaps half a mile - before you arrive in the costumes-optional zone. When you find an area of low, smoothed rocks above the high-tide level and perhaps ten or twenty metres out from the cliff-face, you are definitely OK to strip. Although the western "boundary" occurs a bit earlier, if you don't know the beach, or can't see any other nuddies, it's best to go as far as the rocks for peace of mind. I would not recommend the walk for someone with difficulties or in a wheelchair - a steep slope to get onto the beach at the eastern end of the prom, plus soft sand and/or shingle as the main surface on the trek eastwards along the beach. . Description On the few occasions I've been there, the predominant nude population has been single men, and this remains the only beach where I've ever seen sexual exhibitionism. Shows what a sheltered life I've lived, or how unobservant I am - don't know which. Unlike Southbourne and points west, Hengistbury Head beach is not pure sand. There are very low, wide, ridges of fine shingle/shell which cause the waves to provide fine background music. The currents and relatively heavy surf mean that bathing isn't entirely safe for weaker swimmers and small children, although it shelves consistently but not too quickly to swimming depth. Other things: no shade, no rock pools, no nearby toilets or showers or ice-cream stalls. But I find the low rocks very comfortable as seating, I love the sounds, and the views are great. To the west, there's the whole sweep of Poole Bay, eastwards is the Isle of Wight and behind you is the towering cliff with a variety of wildlife. Take your binoculars, not to be a meerkat, but to observe the birdlife or the variety of boats passing both close and far. Water Quality Comments (1)
  written by Richard, August 20, 2008
We assumed the "low, smooth rocks" are a small brown rock-fall, about half-way along, near the highest part of the cliff face? We went there last Sunday expecting so see other nudists but there was no sign of anyone unclothed. In fact, the beach was more like a seaside promenade on Boxing Day - lots of families out for a walk, all well clothed! Needless to say, an expensive (£4 for 4 hours) trial run. Back to Studland! :-)
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