13th and 14th June 2026 - Bournemouth Writing Sanctuary. Workshops and time to write
with stunning views of the sea. THIS WEEKEND!
Nature Writing Walks
Join us at Hengistbury Head for three nature-inspired, guided walks to help you with your writing.
Together with the Bournemouth Writing Prize and our chosen charity Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots, let the natural surroundings of the stunning Dorset coastline inspire your writing.
Sunday 28th June 2026
9:30am for a 10am start.
Pay What You Can.
Find inspiration in nature. Discover stories in the wild.
Join the Bournemouth Writing Festival and Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots for a morning of creativity, community and connection at Hengistbury Head.
Choose from three guided walks inspired by Roots & Shoots pillars designed to spark ideas, encourage reflection and help you see nature through fresh eyes.
Writing prompts will be provided to encourage you to get words out of your head.
Whether you're an experienced writer, occasional scribbler or simply love being outdoors, these walks are for you and for all ages and abilities.
Choose Your Walk
On arrival, you can choose which hosted walks you'd like to join.
There will also be a children's walk especially designed for kids.
Animals
Discover the wildlife, habitats and creatures that call Hengistbury Head home, while gathering inspiration for stories and poems.
Led by Stephen Gregory.
People
Explore the relationship between people and place, uncovering the stories, history and impact humans have on the natural world. Visit the iron age roundhouse next to the visitor centre!
Led by curator Hayden Scott-Pratt and Jane Skellett.
Environment
Take inspiration from the sea, harbour, hills and coastal landscape, using observation and creativity to see the environment differently.
Led by Jamie Derrick.
Writing Competition
Use your inspiration to enter our writing competition
Our writing competition with Bournemouth University's Bournemouth Writing Prize is now open.
Enter your short story or poem for just £10 by 15th August and you could win cash prizes, feature in the anthology and have the chance to read your winning entry at the 2027 Bournemouth Writing Festival.
Our chosen charity this year is Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots and entrants can make an optional donation when entering.
Good luck!
About Roots & Shoots
Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots UK is an educational and environmental initiative that empowers young people to take positive action for people, animals, and the environment.
Throughout her life, Dr Jane Goodall - renowned ethologist, environmental campaigner, and UN Messenger of Peace - regularly returned to her family home in Bournemouth, where she wrote many of her books.
Her connection with Bournemouth University also included events marking the 50th anniversary of her pioneering research at Gombe.
Following Dr Goodall’s passing in 2025, it feels especially fitting for the festival to support Roots & Shoots UK. Entrants to this year’s Bournemouth Writing Prize will be invited to make a donation, with 100% of contributions going directly to the programme. Your donation will support our youth outreach and educational materials, 100% free to all Roots & Shoots members.
To learn more about Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots UK (a programme of the Jane Goodall Institute UK), please visit https://www.rootsnshoots.org.uk.
Photo credit: Vincent Calmel.
Logisical Information
Where is it?
The meeting point is the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre. Please arrive for 9:30am for a 10am start.
Does it cost?
Tickets are on a Pay What You Can basis to make it as accessible as possible for everyone. The reason we are charging is to monitor numbers and limit no shows.
ALL proceeds will be donated to the Roots & Shoots programme.
Is there parking?
There is a large car park at Hengistbury Head which is a pay and display. You are responsible for any charges.
Is this suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. No writing experience is required. The festival wants to inspire all writers to write, regardless of the age, ability or background.
What will happen on the walk?
The volunteer host will guide you around Hengistbury Head talking about different aspects of the theme, giving you writing prompts. You can take part or contribute as much or as little as you feel comfortable.
Is it accessible or suitable for wheelchairs?
The routes will not involved any steps or steep hills, but there are gentle slopes. The host will accommodate any specific requirements on the walk itself.
Can children attend?
Yes. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult at all times. A tailored writing walk for children will be available.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, dogs on leads are welcome and must be kept on a lead.
Will the event go ahead if it rains?
Yes. Nature is part of the experience, whatever the weather.
What should I bring?
Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions on the day. Where comfortable walking shoes, a water bottle and perhaps a notebook and pen.
Will my writing competition entry get preferential treatment if I come on the walk?
No, any entries to the writing competition will be judged anonymously and separately. These walks are designed to inspire your writing.
Buy tickets for the nature writing walk at Hengistbury Head
Tickets are Pay What You Can to be as inclusive and accessible as possible.
All participants can plant a giant sunflower seed for free and take it home with them.
All proceeds will be donated to Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots programme.
Please create a separate transaction per person attending (sorry!)
Amount
£1
£2
£5
£10
Other
Use our Wind Phone
Connect with a loved one - past or present
Our new Wind Phone will also be at the visitor centre - a disconnected phone where you can have a one-sided conversation with someone you miss.
Perhaps you'll read a line of your story, share a memory or some news. Or tell your younger self it's all going to be ok.
