National Trust - Brownsea Island

It's a great place to get away and enjoy nature, with lots of different walks over heathland, through woodlands and wetlands, (paths are well marked and mostly level, but can be uneven - take a good pair of walking boots). There's a beach on the south shore, camping, and bird hides in the wetlands. The ferry from Poole takes around 20 minutes and gives great views of the bay (bit breezy mind!). There are toilets at various places, and a couple of coffee huts, plus the main cafe near the visitor centre. Sadly on my visit the famed red squirrels remained elusive. 😔

Wow what a beautiful, peaceful place to visit, there is something very magical about this reserve. You reach the island via a 20 minute ferry, £14.50 per adult return Car park a short walk from Quay £15 for us, we parked for 8 hours. You pay to enter £12 (unless you're a national Trust member, it's free) there a great walks you can do. We were very lucky to see a red squirrel, a spoonbill and a seal. I could have spent even more time on the island. The views from south Beach were stunning. Definitely one of my favorite places to visit on the Durassic coast.

Have never visited before and wasn't sure what to expect but had the most fantastic afternoon out with my husband. Visiting the first place the Baden Powell held a camp was very special. The quiet Private beaches are definitely worth a second visit. Can't wait to explore again.

We went on a twilight bird walk with the NT and the Dorset Wildlife trust and had an amazing time hearing loads of Nightjars - something we never see in the north! Very informative and educational. In the day we had seen two spoonbills out on the lagoon so altogether a great day for bird watching. There are often volunteers in the hides helping you spot things with a telescope but plenty of birds close by too. Lovely couple of hours walk around the island with lots of history.

Lovely boat trip over, stunning woods, but the walk from the front to the adventure playground was a very decent walk with only one place to stop and take a rest. The island is stunning but there's lots of walking. Was very disappointed in national trust as I walk with a stick due to mobility issues and I was not informed there was a bus, there were no bus stops along the way either but on walk back it passed us. Limited food options and only on the front of island so need to walk back for food. Recommend taking a picnic