Brownsea Island

Brownsea Island is dramatically located in Poole harbour, offering spectacular views across to Studland, Old Harry Rocks and the Purbeck Hills. It offers a peaceful, natural setting undisturbed by traffic - ideal for walks, picnics and for families to explore. Important natural habitats include pinewoods - home to rare red squirrels - heath, shoreline and lagoon, where overwintering and breeding birds collect.

In the past the island has been the site of a Victorian pottery, a brick works, an Edwardian country estate, a daffodil farm and, in the Second World War, acted as a decoy to protect Poole. The Scout and Guide movements began here with Baden Powell's first experimental camp in 1907.Part of the island is leased to Dorset Wildlife Trust (tel. 01202 709445 for information). Brownsea Castle is not open to the public.