Hengistbury Head scenic walk – a forager’s perspective

Join us for a leisurely scenic walk over Hengistbury Head and around Mudeford Sandbank led by local foraging enthusiast Dave E during which he will encourage us to take a closer look at the area’s amazing variety of edible and otherwise interesting plants. Our route will start off fairly slowly from the Hiker’s Café near Hengistbury Head car park stopping to look at various plants along the way including wild mustards, mallows, Queen Anne’s lace (the wild ancestor of modern carrot varieties) and yarrow, before we follow the paths up the head to enjoy the fabulous views - both along the coast, and inland across the salt marshes.
We’ll pick up speed a little along the top of the head before taking the steps down to Mudeford Sandbank, where we’ll find highly-rated wild edibles such as sea beet, rock samphire, oraches and other goosefoots (spinach family) as well as our nation’s most expensive beach huts!
We’ll stop for lunch towards the end of the sandbank before beginning our return journey where we’ll be keeping our eyes open for some rather more well-known edibles such as elderberries, blackberries, wild apples and rowan. If you enjoy bird-watching, we suggest bringing a pair of binoculars with you, as the estuary and salt marshes are visited by a wide variety of native and migratory birds including cormorants, shags, little egrets and many smaller birds too.
For those interested in foraging, and wild flowers and plants in general, we recommend you download a plant identification app or two to your phone. Dave recommends Plantnet, Picture This, and Flora Incognito, all of which can be used without charge (hit the back arrow on your phone when you get asked to register with Picture This to use it free of charge). While not 100% accurate, these apps are very useful, and are considerably better than Google Lens at identifying plant species.
Please let us know in advance if you are coming so that we don't set off without you. Contact details below
Approximately 4 miles. Our route starts at the Hiker's Café next to Hengistbury Head Car Park. We will walk over the head to Mudeford Spit and then either return along the flat road or via the salt marshes (depending on ground conditions) to our starting point.
Assemble at Hiker's Café at 10:15 for a 10:30 set off. End time is very approximate.
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As this is Bank Holiday weekend please allow plenty of time to park and get to the start point, or come by bike or bus. Free parking is available in some of the nearby side roads, but please check road signs carefully to ensure you don’t get fined.

• Car sharing - please request and offer in the comments section or phone David 07910 886629
• Those sharing please offer to contribute towards fuel
• Toilets at start/Mudeford/and finish
• Sun hats, sun cream, plenty of water and snacks/lunch strongly recommended
• Wear good walking shoes or boots
• Walking poles may be of assistance

Contact: David on chairman@dorset.humanist.org.uk
Or WhatsApp David 07910 886629

Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Participants are expected to take responsibility for their own wellbeing and safety and walks are undertaken at your own risk. Please wear suitable attire and footwear and bring a large bottle of water and sunscreen/hat. Dorset Humanists cannot accept any liability for accident or injury incurred on public routes.