Where is Brownsea Island?

Brownsea Island is in South-East England, United Kingdom (postcode BH13), in the parish of Studland.

How do I get to Brownsea Island?

The nearest railway station is Poole, about 3.2 km away. Drivers can use postcode BH13.

Is Brownsea Island a protected site?

Yes — Brownsea Island is part of the Poole Harbour SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest and the PURBECK HEATHS National Nature Reserve.

Is Brownsea Island free to visit?

Yes, Brownsea Island is free to enter.

How do I get to Brownsea Island?

The nearest railway station is Poole, about 3.2 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode BH13.

Islands · South West England

Brownsea Island

In or near Arne.

Free admission🐾 Dog-friendly££

Brownsea Island — island in Poole Harbour, Dorset, England, UK.

Brownsea Island, islands in South West England — Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence

Plan your visit

Typical visit: 4 h–12 h
Nearest railway station: Poole · 3.2 km

Free entry
Dog-friendly

Getting there & planning your visit

To visit Brownsea Island, the nearest railway station is Poole, located 3.2 km away. Entry to the island is free.

Directions on Google Maps →

Brownsea Island is a island in the United Kingdom. It covers approximately 500 km². Recent population estimates put it at around 30 people. Address: BH13. Wikidata describes it as: "island in Poole Harbour, Dorset, England, UK". Coordinates: 50.6917°, -1.9722°.

Photo gallery

Summary from the official site

Brownsea Island is a scenic destination located in Poole Harbour, known for its natural beauty and wildlife, including the famous red squirrels. Visitors can explore various trails, enjoy outdoor activities, and participate in guided walks to learn more about the island's history and ecology.

Read more on the official property page.

Protected designations

Site of Special Scientific Interest: Poole Harbour SSSI
National Nature Reserve: PURBECK HEATHS
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Dorset
Ramsar wetland: Poole Harbour

Designations sourced from Natural England open data under OGL v3.

From the Wikipedia article

Brownsea Island is the largest of the islands in Poole Harbour, in the county of Dorset, England. The island is owned by the National Trust, with the northern half managed by the Dorset Wildlife Trust. Much of the island is open to the public and includes areas of woodland and heath with a wide variety of wildlife, together with cliff top views across Poole Harbour and the Isle of Purbeck. The island was the location of an experimental camp in 1907 that preceded the publication of Scouting for Boys and The Scout magazine in 1908. Access is by public ferry or private boat; in 2017 the island received 133,340 visitors. The island's name probably comes from Old English Brūnoces īeg = "Brūnoc's island".

Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.

Background

History

The first records of inhabitants on Brownsea Island occurred in the 9th century, when a small chapel and hermitage were built by monks from Cerne Abbey near Dorchester. The chapel was dedicated to St Andrew and the only resident of the island was a hermit, who may have administered to the spiritual welfare of sailors passing through Poole Harbour. In 1015, Canute led a Viking raid to the harbour and used Brownsea as a base to sack Wareham and Cerne Abbey. In the 11th century the owner of the island was Bruno, who was Lord of the Manor of Studland.

Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Coordinates: 50.6917, -1.9722
District: Dorset
Parish: Studland
Postcode: BH13
Parliamentary constituency: South Dorset
Population: 30
Nearest railway station: Poole — 3.2 km
Opening: Daily 10am–5pm
Official site: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Sources

wikidata: Q751086 (CC0)
wikipedia: Brownsea Island (CC BY-SA 4.0)
commons: Brownsea Island OS OpenData map.png (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Memorials & monuments · South West England

George Augustus Cavendish-Bentink Memorial

George Augustus Cavendish-Bentink Memorial — a memorial in england-south-east, United Kingdom.

Free🐕

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Vineyards · South West England

Maryland

Maryland — a UK vineyard in england south east, producing English or Welsh wine from cool-climate grape varieties.

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Public art & sculpture · South West England

Lord Robert Baden-Powell

Lord Robert Baden-Powell — a public art in england-south-east, United Kingdom.

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Where to eat & stay near Brownsea Island

Places to stay

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Campsites · South West England

Rockley Park — a caravan park in england south east.

Rempstone, forestry road - geograph.org.uk - 5139270

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Campsites · South West England

Burnbake Campsite

Burnbake Campsite — a campsite in england south east.

Free↗ burnbake.com

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Restaurants · South West England

Custom House

Custom House — a restaurant in england south east.

Free↗ customhousepoole.co.uk

^13 Market Street at New Street junction - geograph.org.uk - 6933749

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Restaurants · South West England

Guildhall Tavern

Guildhall Tavern — a restaurant in england south east.

↗ guildhalltavern.co.uk

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Historic pubs · South West England

The Blue Boar

The Blue Boar in England South West, United Kingdom.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Brownsea Island?: Brownsea Island is in South-East England, United Kingdom (postcode BH13), in the parish of Studland.
What is Brownsea Island?: Brownsea Island — island in Poole Harbour, Dorset, England, UK.
How do I get to Brownsea Island?: The nearest railway station is Poole, about 3.2 km away. Drivers can use postcode BH13.
Is Brownsea Island a protected site?: Yes — Brownsea Island is part of the Poole Harbour SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest and the PURBECK HEATHS National Nature Reserve.
Is Brownsea Island free to visit?: Yes, Brownsea Island is free to enter.
How do I get to Brownsea Island?: The nearest railway station is Poole, about 3.2 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode BH13.