Hengistbury Head Click on thumbnail to see full picture A map of the Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve in Dorset.  Apart from summer visitors, the area carries no population now, although it was occupied from Stone Age to Roman times and is a major archaeological site. The western end of the Head is protected by gabion matresses. The low cliffs at the western end are composed of Boscombe Sands (mainly sands with some bands of clay).  Evidence for mass movement includes the accumulations of debris at the cliff foot. At the eastern end of the Head, where the orientation of the coast changes, these Highcliffe Sand cliffs are protected by rip-rap at their base.  The rills and gullies on the slope face show that it is subject to surface wash, something not helped by the absence of vegetation. Just beyond the Long Groyne are other rubble rock groynes.  The coastline of Hampshire in the distance has been starved of beach material by coastal protection at Hengistbury Head.  Note the cresent-shaped cusps clearly visible on the beach. Looking north over the beach huts and groynes on Mudeford Spit.  The mouth to Christchurch Harbour is in the distance.  The borough border between Bournemouth and Christchurch runs through the mouth of the Harbour, making co-ordination of management difficult in the area.