Hengistbury Head

The walk out to Hengistbury Head takes you across a spit of shingle and sand that juts into Christchurch Harbour like a finger pointing out to sea. It's a proper geological oddity - two separate ridges fused together over thousands of years, and you can actually see the join if you know what you're looking for. The whole thing feels like you're walking into the sea rather than along it, which is either brilliant or slightly unnerving depending on your tolerance for wind.

What makes it worth the trip is the sheer 360-degree exposure. On a clear day you can see right across to the Isle of Wight; on a grey one it's moody and dramatic in equal measure. There's an Iron Age fort up here too - Hengistbury Head Hillfort - though the remains are subtle enough that you'll need the information boards to know what you're looking at. Most visitors come for the walk itself rather than historical detective work.

Allow two to three hours if you're taking it slowly and actually stopping to look around. The walk from Christchurch isn't taxing but it's exposed, so on windy days bring a proper jacket. It's free to access, and busiest on weekends when the weather's decent.

Parked at Sandhills Holiday Park or Hoburne Naish? This works perfectly as a morning or afternoon venture. The walk clears your head between beach days, and it genuinely rewards the effort. Not a quick tick-box stop - this is somewhere you'll actually want to spend time.