Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre and Local Nature Reserve

Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre and Local Nature Reserve This is the page for Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre. We are owned and operated by BCP Council. Keep it clean. Do not post spam.

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Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre opened in February 2014 and is owned and operated by BCP Council. The old thatched barn has been converted to house displays of the internationally important archaeology, geology and ecology found at this unique Nature Reserve. Our variety of exhibitions and events are designed to raise awareness and understanding of this fascinating place which is not only a Nature

Reserve, but an Ancient Monument and a Site of Special Scientific Interest and ranks as one of the most important such sites in England. Here are our page rules:
We welcome debate and will not censor critical comments, but we reserve the right to remove posts from users who post anything against our page rules:

1. Be civil, tasteful and relevant, and respect everyone, including the people managing this page who are here to help.

2. We have a profanity filter and posts containing swearing will automatically be deleted.

3. Do not post anything that is unlawful, libellous, harassing, defamatory, abusive, threatening, harmful, obscene, profane, sexually oriented or racially offensive.

4. Do not publicly post any personal information, such as contact details (your own or anyone else's).

6. Do not advertise products or services.

🎵 Music Day at Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre 🎵Join us for a relaxing day of live folk music in the beautiful garden at...
20/08/2026

🎵 Music Day at Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre 🎵

Join us for a relaxing day of live folk music in the beautiful garden at Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre.

Local musicians Ildi and Richard will be performing a mix of original songs, traditional folk music and some favourite covers in a friendly and informal setting. Bring a chair or blanket, sit back and enjoy an afternoon of music surrounded by nature.

✨ Three sessions throughout the day:
🎶 11am 🎶 1pm 🎶 3pm

📅 Monday 31st August
📍 Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre Garden
🎟️ Free to attend

Whilst there is no timed-ticket option, we'd appreciate it if you could reserve a free ticket to help us estimate numbers for the day. Donations are also warmly welcomed.

👉 Book via our website: https://www.visithengistburyhead.co.uk/whats-on

🎶🌿

🌿 Circle of Connection at Hengistbury Head 🌿Join us for a unique two-day workshop that brings together creativity, natur...
18/08/2026

🌿 Circle of Connection at Hengistbury Head 🌿

Join us for a unique two-day workshop that brings together creativity, nature connection and community through the ancient craft of wild clay bead making.

Using clay sourced here at Hengistbury Head, participants will create handmade beads while exploring their connection to nature, place and one another. Led by art psychotherapists Simon and Tanya, this welcoming and supportive experience offers time to create, reflect and share conversation in the beautiful surroundings of our nature reserve.

Over the two sessions you will:
🫘 Create your own clay beads using wild clay collected on site
🌿 Design a unique pendant inspired by your connection to nature
🤝 Make beads to share with others in the group
🔥 Have your beads fired on site and assembled into a meaningful necklace

Beadwork has long been used to express identity, belonging and connection. By sharing beads and stories, participants will contribute to a collaborative piece of jewellery that symbolises community, shared experience and our connection to the natural world.

Whether you're looking to meet new people, nurture your creativity, or simply spend time immersed in nature, this workshop offers a space to connect, create and belong.

📅 Saturday 19th September, 9.30am to 1pm
📅 Sunday 20th September, 10am to 2.30pm
📍 Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre

🎟️ Spaces are limited. Book your place via our website:
https://www.visithengistburyhead.co.uk/whats-on

🌿✨

🛖🛖Roundhouse Rituals🛖🛖Join us in our Iron Age Roundhouse for two incredible experiences.Saturday 5th September 10am-12pm...
16/08/2026

🛖🛖Roundhouse Rituals🛖🛖
Join us in our Iron Age Roundhouse for two incredible experiences.

Saturday 5th September 10am-12pm, £6
Ancient Spinning Circle
Come and step back in time and learn the ancient craft of carding and spinning fleece from the sheep at Hengistbury Head inside our Iron Age roundhouse. Join the spinning circle, where yarn is spun and stories are shared, as people have done over many centuries, in preparation for weaving the vital fabrics worn and used in everyday life.

Saturday 19th September 8-9am, £15
Meditations in the Roundhouse
Come and join us for a guided visualisation to take you into a relaxed and meditative state in our Iron Age roundhouse. Located in the middle of a local nature reserve and standing on a site of archaeological international importance, this unique natural space evokes the era of 3,000 years ago. Leave behind the pressures and stresses of modern life as you connect with the ancient energies of the land and our ancestors.

Space are limited - book your place by visiting our website:
https://www.visithengistburyhead.co.uk/whats-on

13/08/2026

Such an unforgettable night. Thanks to all of you who attended our Solar Eclipse and Perseid Meteor Shower events last night. Great to see so many people enjoying our shared night sky. Huge thanks to SkyHigh Astronomy for organising the event, and Go Stargazing for providing the eclipse glasses.
Extended thanks also to our Performing The Past volunteers, Wessex Astronomical Society, Rangers Dan and Eva, Parks in Mind, the Campaign for Dark Skies team, and BBC South Today for joining us.
Don't throw your eclipse glasses away! You can use them to look at the Sun at any time and try to see sunspots, as well as enjoying the next Partial Eclipse on Aug 2nd next year!
And lastly, keep an eye out for news of our Pop-up Planetarium arriving in the autumn 🌃🌟✨💫

🕵️‍♂️ Don't miss out on our popular 'Be an Archaeologist' session🦴🛖🪏Perfect for curious minds! Discover how archaeologis...
08/08/2026

🕵️‍♂️ Don't miss out on our popular 'Be an Archaeologist' session🦴🛖🪏

Perfect for curious minds! Discover how archaeologists uncover the past, dig into a recreated Iron Age pit, and reveal hidden secrets buried beneath the soil. Suitable for young explorers, age 5 - 10.

Check out our events page for more details and how to book:
https://www.visithengistburyhead.co.uk/whats-on
📅 Spaces are limited — book early! See less

There are still a few places available on our guided Archaeology Walk tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, from 10.30am - 12.30pm...
03/08/2026

There are still a few places available on our guided Archaeology Walk tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, from 10.30am - 12.30pm. Come along and learn all about the history of this incredible site that's right on your doorstep! Meet at the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre.
Adults £3.50, Children free (must be accompanied by an adult)
To book, please head to our events page:
https://www.visithengistburyhead.co.uk/whats-on

Thanks to all of you that came along to the Living History Day in our Iron Age Village today. Our Performing the Past vo...
01/08/2026

Thanks to all of you that came along to the Living History Day in our Iron Age Village today. Our Performing the Past volunteers and crafters loved sharing with you all their knowledge and expertise. We look forward to doing it all again next year!

📣 It's Today! Step Back in Time at Hengistbury Head! 📜🏺The wait is over! Our Summer Living History Day is taking place t...
01/08/2026

📣 It's Today! Step Back in Time at Hengistbury Head! 📜🏺

The wait is over! Our Summer Living History Day is taking place today from 10am–3pm at the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre and... KIDS UNDER 16 GO FREE

Travel through thousands of years of history as our replica Iron Age village comes to life with hands-on activities, live demonstrations, and fascinating stories from the past.

✨ What's on today?
🏺 Iron Age pottery making
🪨 Flint knapping demonstrations
🧵 Ancient textiles and weaving
🎨 Ancient pigments and paints
🏠 Guided roundhouse and museum tours
🚶 Archaeological site tours with local experts
🍞 Ancient food displays
⛏️ Mock excavation pits and family-friendly activities

Whether you're a history enthusiast, looking for a family day out, or simply curious about Hengistbury Head's incredible past, there's something for everyone.

🎟️ There's still time to join us – Pay in person OR book your tickets here:
https://www.visithengistburyhead.co.uk/whats-on

📍 Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre
🕙 10am–3pm

🚨 Last Chance to Book! 🚨📜 Summer Living History Day at Hengistbury Head 🏺🔥Join us on Saturday 1 August, 10am–3pm, for a ...
31/07/2026

🚨 Last Chance to Book! 🚨
📜 Summer Living History Day at Hengistbury Head 🏺🔥

Join us on Saturday 1 August, 10am–3pm, for a fascinating journey through 12,000 years of history. Step into our replica Iron Age village, explore the trading port, and discover how people lived, worked and thrived in the past.

✨ Throughout the day you can enjoy:
🏺 Iron Age pottery making
🪨 Flint knapping demonstrations
🧵 Ancient textiles and weaving
🎨 Ancient pigments and paints
🏠 Guided roundhouse and museum tours
🚶 Archaeological site tours with local experts
🍞 Ancient food displays
⛏️ Mock excavation pits and other family-friendly activities

Perfect for families, history enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a unique day out this summer.

🎟️ Tickets are selling fast, so don't miss out! Book now:
https://www.visithengistburyhead.co.uk/whats-on

Address

Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve
Bournemouth
BH64EN

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441202128444

Website

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