Hengistbury Head

This will be a walk around Hengistbury Head and the surrounding area, the location gives the opportunity for seascapes across Poole Bay to the west and the Isle of Wight to the east as well as Christchurch harbour to the north. There is also the opportunity to photograph wildlife and if you look carefully, you might see evidence of 12,000 years of human history on this site. Bronze Age barrows and, of course, the Double Dykes are some of the easier archaeological features to spot. Roam along easy-access paths amongst grassland, heathland, woodland and wetland.

To access the entire area requires a good level of fitness and mobility - particularly if you want to walk up to the top of the head. However if you prefer to take it a little easier there is also a tarmac road leading from the car park around the back of the head to some beach huts - During high season (1 April - 31 October), the Hengistbury land train runs daily in good weather.  It's best to check the facebook page for the very latest service status - it runs until 4pm.

There are reasonably level gravel paths from the car park to the beach.

I would recommend good walking shoes or boots for this walk

I am suggesting a 4 hour session from 2.30pm to 6.30pm, golden hour starts at 5.46pm with sunset at 6.30pm - this will give us the opportunity to shoot the sunset as well (hopefully we will get a nice one!)

The walk can be as long or as short as you wish, the full walk around the head can run to a few miles

The reserve is easy to find your way around (maps are available for just £1 at the Visitor Centre if you’d rather). With the harbour on one side and the sea on the other, it really is hard to lose your way.

Once we have all met up, the walk will be self guided and you will be free to go wherever you wish to take photographs, there is a lot of choice and photographic opportunities.

After the walk concludes you could of course stay longer if you wish - just don't forget that the car park (and part of the road) is locked at 10pm!

As we are shooting seascapes and staying until sunset it may be a good idea to bring a tripod, filters, cable release etc.