The Centre @ Hengistbury Head

Hengistbury Head is the largest Local Nature Reserve owned by Bournemouth Borough Council at approximately 162 hectares with annual visitors of around 1 million. It is part of the Christchurch Harbour SSSI supporting 500 plant, 700 moth and 300 bird species. It also has Geology of international importance with its ironstone beds and Archeological imortance as excavations have shown occupation by man for almost 14000 years. It has the following designations SAM, SAC, SPA, Ramsar Site, SNCI, LNR and a Public Open Space. The Project is to convert an existing thatched barn at the gateway to the Head to a visitor/interpretation centre. The barn is curently used as a workshop and the ground floor of the attached cottage as the Rangers office. The centre will allow improved visitor understanding and interaction with knowledgable staff and volunteers and will create opportunities for people to be more involved.