Follow the path to the first point of historic interest.

He was the first Briton to be killed in an aeronautical accident with a powered aircraft, when the tail of his Wright Flyer broke off during a flying display in Bournemouth. He was aged 32.

Nearby is the popular Hiker Café, popular with the many dog walkers, but as we discovered when we went with my friend’s dog on a very windy rainy day, dogs are not allowed inside the café. Plenty of seating outside and very pleasant inside. Considering how many places let dogs in you might be surprised, but with the strong possibility of dogs getting wet and muddy you can see their point! A short walk takes you to the visitor centre where you can see the history of the headland back to the busy days of the iron age.

‘Long before the arrival of the Romans, Hengistbury Head was a thriving trading port. Some have commented that Hengistbury Head was probably the first urban settlement in England. It was without doubt one of the the most important sea ports in the the whole of England.’

Reassuring to know nature can take back urban areas.

It’s time to make our way up.

Did you guess anything about this monolith in Friday’s blog? It was hard to find anything about it; alas it is neither ancient nor extra terrestrial, but still interesting. Created by sculptor Briony Marshall in 2016.

‘Layers of Bournemouth is a rammed earth sculpture that invites passers-by to slow down and contemplate the beauty and age of our precious natural world.‘

https://briony.com/project/layers-of-bournemouth/

Time to walk up to the top and enjoy the views of Christchurch Harbour..

Then return another way for sea views as the short winter day draws in.

You would have had time to walk further if you hadn’t stopped for coffee and cake at the café! Come back another day to explore more.

PS At one stage Henry George Selfridge bought Hengistbury Head with plans to build a magnificent castle. Fortunately the plans never got off the ground.

Have you been here, or do you have a favourite hill or iron age fort to walk round?