HENGISTBURY HEAD OUTDOORS (HHO) has, as of 3rd November 2023 been registered by the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 as a Community Benefit Society:

CBS Registration number: 9176.

As of November 3rd 2023 was also granted charitable status for tax purposes by HM Revenue and Customs.

HMRC Charities reference number: ZD28944.

Hengistbury Head Outdoors Ltd.

Spring 2025 Update

At the end of February we signed a 99 year lease for the centre with BCP Council, which now brings the centre into community ownership, which is fantastic progress. In addition we have applied and now secured a grant of c.£669,000 from the Government's Community Ownership Fund (COF) for the immediate repair and refurbishment of the centre. It is subject to us raising an additional £155,000 in matching funds from the community to support the full fund allocation. Initial refurbishment work to repair the waterfront and to provide usable facilities on site will take place throughout the Summer & Autumn of 2025.

Our Mission

As a community group created for the community, our mission is to sympathetically rejuvenate the site at the former HHOEC, creating a sustainable, innovative yet tranquil space for ALL to participate in all forms of outdoor activity, provided by our volunteers and in partnership with professional bodies and organisations.

We are a diverse group of local water sports groups and enthusiasts who live locally and use the centre and Christchurch Harbour for recreation and education all year round.

It is our intention to take over the Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre, (HHOEC) and run it as a facility for local people, gifted to the community by BCP Council, which we will call Hengistbury Head Outdoors.

We have formed a Charitable Community Benefits Society, which will be run for and by the local community.

The History of the Centre

Christchurch Harbour is a beautiful natural harbour and is home to Hengistbury Head Outdoors, created to build on and enhance the legacy already created.

In 1964, the Marine Training Centre (MTC) was opened at Hengistbury Head. In the 1980s the name was changed to Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre (HHOEC).

In its last full year of operation, around 75 schools used HHOEC which handled over 10,000 school sessions and more than 5,000 public sessions (adults and young people).

In 2021 (post COVID) BCP took back direct ownership of the Centre and following a survey, the main building was deemed unsafe for public use and now has not been fully open since March 2020. (Some user groups still have access to the slipways etc).

In February 2025, BCP council signed a 99 year lease with Hengistbury Head Outdoors, to formally take over the site, so the next exciting chapter has now started.

The Current HHO Directors (January 2025)                                  

Sam Arnold  CAMHS Support Worker & Coordinator. Paddle UK Paddleboard Leader & Instructor. - BH Activity Junkies

Max Buttinger  Chartered Physicist, business owner. - Local Resident.   

Bill Howlett  Business Manager (Retd). Sailor, RYA Instructor. - Hengistbury Head Sailing Club. 

John Merritt  Community Business Development Worker. Sailor & Swimmer.

Mark Merritt  Managing Director (Retd). Sailor, Kayaker & Cyclist. – Friends of Stanpit Marsh.

Becs Vince  Consultant on Inclusion in Education. Wellbeing & the Great Outdoors, Boating & Water Sports.             

Neil Woods  Recruitment Manager.- Paddle UK Leader & Instructor. - BH Activity Junkies Founder

Sara Glen   - Deputy Chief Constable Hampshire Constabulary (Retd) and founder of Infinite 8 life - Healthy Communities Director - Active Water sports user

Trusted Advisors

Alongside the named Directors, the Society also has a diverse group of Trusted Advisors who bring specific skills and professional support to the board as it progresses into the ownership of the centre.

The Founding Directors

Hengistbury Head Outdoors was established in mid- 2023, with a small group of people, who came together to create the start of this fantastic charitable society. The Founding Directors of Hengistbury Head Outdoors at its formation were:                                

Sam Arnold,  Max Buttinger,  Adam Hobbs,  Bill Howlett,  John Merritt,  Mark Merritt,  Simon Pitman,  Becs Vince,                            Neil Woods. 

 We give our heartfelt thanks to these founding Directors for starting us on our journey.                      

The objects of Hengistbury Head Outdoors Community Benefit Society 

shall be for the public benefit:

To provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupation for the general public in the interests of social welfare and the with the object of improving the conditions of life;

To promote community participation in healthy recreation, in particular, by the provision of facilities for the learning, teaching  and practicing activities which promote physical and mental wellbeing;

To advance education in water-sports and other health and well-being activities, in particular but not exclusively, by the provision of training and information for health or fitness professionals, coaches, instructors and the general public. Activities include but are not limited to sailing, canoeing, paddle-boarding, safety boat handling, water safety, dragon boating, Yoga and Pilates;

The advancement and protection of the environment providing education and conservation programmes;

The creation of training and employment opportunities by the provision of workspace, buildings and land for use on favourable terms for providers of activities that promote community physical and mental wellbeing;

To cooperate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities operating in the furtherance of the objects or similar charitable purposes and to exchange information and advice with them;

To pursue such other charitable purposes consistent with the above as the Directors, in their absolute discretion, shall determine.