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Brownsea Island

Name: Brownsea Island
Address: Dorset, England, GB

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Mark

January 24, 2022

The perfect day’s adventure, this island wildlife sanctuary is easy to get to but feels like another world from the moment you step ashore. The island sits in the middle of Poole Harbour, with dramatic views to the Purbeck Hills. Thriving natural habitats, including woodland, heathland and a lagoon, have created havens for wildlife, such as the red squirrel and a huge variety of birds, including the sandwich tern. You'll find peacocks and hens wandering near the 19th-century church. The island is steeped in history. Several industries have thrived on Brownsea Island over the years, including cattle farming, daffodil farming and pottery. You'll see remnants of all of this on the island - with Pottery Pier still surrounded by shards of the ceramics that were once crafted there. You can also see the remains of the village of Maryland, which once housed scores of workers and their families. The Outdoor Centre is the place to go for camping, overnight stays and a range of activities from archery and mini-golf to low ropes and orienteering. It welcomes thousands of Scouts and Guides form all over the world - making a pilgrimage to the birthplace of the Scouting and Guiding movement. It was on Brownsea Island that Lord Baden Powell developed his idea for Scouting and trialled some early Scout-style camps. The Outdoor Centre also offers day learning for schools and other groups. Families can make the most of their day too, with free trails and a natural play area. During school holidays there are a regular free activities on offer from clay craft and bug hunting to 50 Things fun and Easter and Halloween trails. The warmer months see special events, including Brownsea Open-Air Theatre and wildlife tours. Whatever the season, there's something new to experience and enjoy on Brownsea Island - from the spring blossom to the autumn leaves, the warm summer waters to the beautiful winter sunsets. Some choose to reach Brownsea Island on their own boat or kayak, which you're welcome to do so during opening hours - landing on the South Shore beaches; otherwise it's a short ferry trip from the mainland.

Susan

July 6, 2021

Brownsea Island is a wonderfully lush escape in the middle of Poole Harbour, offering some secluded small beaches, as well as acres of grassy meadows and thick woodland, which is one of the few remaining English habitats of the endangered red squirrel. The island can easily be reached by regular ferries from various points in Poole Harbour, the closest of which is at Sandbanks.Check out the Outdoor Centre, which chronicles the island's connection with Lord Baden Powell and the original scouts, who camped here.

Lisa

July 4, 2021

The home of red squirrels and peacocks! Brownsea Island is accessed by a short boat ride from Sandbanks (20 min drive) and really worth a visit. Beautiful views, no cars. Costs around £8 for the ferry.

Imogen

April 11, 2021

Brownsea Island is a very special place. It is one of the few places left in the UK where you can catch a glimpse of a red squirrel. 250 of these iconic creatures live on the island and are often seen scampering up and down the trees gathering and devouring nuts. If you have adopted one of these beautiful and playful creatures from DWT, you can get the chance to see them – a wonderfully comical sight in autumn when they busily start caching food for the winter ahead, searching out just the right spot to hide them in- a process that can take some time! Read more about our exciting #WildBrownsea project here - we have big plans to make the island better for wildlife and people. And it’s not just the red squirrels that the nature detectives in the family will be able to spot – the lagoon plays a vital role in providing a safe haven for overwintering birds including avocets, black-tailed godwits and large numbers of wildfowl. In winter it’s also possible see huge groups of spoonbills. These tall white birds can be seen swishing their spoon-shaped bills through the water as they feed. In the summer, the lagoon’s hides are a great place to watch common terns, sandwich terns and gulls from. The reedbeds and alder carr are home to water voles, sika deer, kingfishers and water rails. We are very fortunate to have such a fascinating reserve on this beautiful island – which we share with the National Trust, the Scouts and John Lewis Partnership. Brownsea Island was saved for wildlife and people to enjoy in 1962 when the National Trust took ownership and leased the northern part to Dorset Wildlife Trust. Since then we have worked to protect the habitats of rare and threatened wildlife, which find sanctuary in its woods, reedbeds and lagoon. (Take a walk through the woods following the footpaths to see glorious views across Poole Harbour.) Our Villa is situated in the middle of the reserve. Why not bring a picnic and sit on the benches in the sun, watching birds and squirrels nibbling seeds from the nearby feeders?