
Sandwich Tern islands on Brownsea Island by Paul Williams
Avocet © Andy Fale

Brownsea Island is currently closed for the winter season, re-opening 20 March 2021.
Scroll down to see our Brownsea Island webcam.
Know before you go
Entry fee
Small donation on entry to the reserve. Please note that groups larger than 15 need to book directly for entry to the nature reserve. Email: brownsea@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk or phone 01202 709445 to make a booking.Parking information
Parking at Sandbanks- There is metered road parking available on the peninsular leading up to the ferry and Sandbanks car park is 10 mins walk from the Sandbanks jetty. Parking at Poole- There are signposted car parks at Poole Quay, where boats go from.Bicycle parking
N/AGrazing animals
NoWalking trails
Good viewing from hides and a system of paths and boardwalks give access to most of the habitats.
Please click here for more information and guidance about dogs on DWT nature reserves.
Access
The main track, Villa Wildlife Centre and two hides for lagoon views can be easily accessed. Please note that guide dogs are allowed on the island.
Dogs
Facilities
When to visit
Opening times
The island will be closed for winter from 2nd November, re-opening on 20th March 2021. For more information about visiting and opening times, go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island.Best time to visit
Early in the year for winter bird visitors, summer for breeding terns and autumn for red squirrel watching.About the reserve
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?
You can read more about Brownsea Island's place in the new Purbeck National Nature Reserve here.
Scroll down to watch our wildlife webcam from Brownsea featuring the Sandwich Terns.
Species
Habitat
Contact us
Environmental designation
Brownsea Island Webcam
Wildlife camera system by Wildlife Windows Ltd
Lagoon webcam in collaboration with Birds of Poole Harbour.

Brownsea Island Nature Trail Map

The Great Heath Living Landscape
Part of The Great Heath Living Landscape