National Trust - Brownsea Island - Poole

National Trust – Brownsea Island: A Tranquil Escape

For those seeking a unique and enriching experience, the National Trust’s Brownsea Island offers a remarkable opportunity to connect with nature and history. Located just off the coast of Poole, Dorset, this island presents a captivating blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and engaging activities. It’s consistently praised for its peaceful atmosphere and commitment to conservation.

Location: Brownsea Island is situated in Poole Harbour, Dorset, United Kingdom. Its precise address is Harbour, Poole BH13 7EE. Reaching the island is straightforward; visitors can take a ferry from Poole Quay. The ferry journey itself is a pleasant experience, offering stunning views of the coastline. The ferry service operates regularly throughout the year, providing convenient access for tourists and locals alike. The ease of access contributes significantly to the island’s popularity as a day trip destination.

About Brownsea Island: Historically, Brownsea Island has served as a Royal residence and a vital part of British naval history. It was the summer retreat of King George III and, later, the childhood home of Sir Walter Raleigh. The island’s natural environment has also played a crucial role, having been established as a nature preserve in 1882 by entomologist Sir John Lubbock. Today, the National Trust diligently manages the island, preserving its unique ecological balance and historical character.

Key Features and Activities:

• Seals of Brownsea Island: Perhaps the most famous feature of Brownsea Island is its colony of grey seals. Visitors can observe these charismatic creatures in their natural habitat, typically from the shore or on guided seal watching tours.
• Knight’s Knoll: This prominent hill offers panoramic views of Poole Harbour and the surrounding area. It’s a perfect spot for photography and appreciating the island’s expansive landscape.
• The Old House: Explore the historic Old House, a beautifully preserved Georgian mansion that once served as a royal residence. Guided tours provide insights into the island’s rich past.
• Nature Trails: Brownsea Island boasts an extensive network of walking trails, catering to all fitness levels. These trails lead through diverse habitats, including woodland, heathland, and coastal areas.
• Volunteer Opportunities: For those interested in contributing to the island’s conservation efforts, the National Trust offers various volunteer roles.

Services and Accessibility: Brownsea Island provides a range of on-site services to enhance the visitor experience. Wheelchair-accessible entrances and toilets are available, ensuring that the island is welcoming to all. Credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments are accepted throughout the site. Advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended, particularly during peak season, to guarantee entry and avoid potential queues. The average opinion of visitors on Google My Business is a remarkable 4.8 out of 5 stars, reflecting the overwhelmingly positive experiences reported by those who have visited.

Visitor Reviews: With over 2817 reviews on Google My Business, visitors consistently praise the island’s natural beauty, the friendly staff, and the engaging activities. Many highlight the opportunity to observe the seals as a particularly memorable experience. Feedback often emphasizes the island’s tranquil atmosphere and its suitability for families. The positive reviews consistently underscore the National Trust’s commitment to maintaining a high standard of visitor service and environmental stewardship.

Practical Information:

Why Visit Brownsea Island Brownsea Island offers a compelling combination of historical exploration, natural beauty, and wildlife observation. It’s an ideal destination for families, nature enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The good for kids aspect is a significant draw, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures and learning about the natural world. The commitment to accessibility and convenience further enhances the overall visitor experience. A trip to Brownsea Island is a chance to step back in time, appreciate the wonders of nature, and create lasting memories.

👍 Reviews of National Trust - Brownsea Island

Paul S.

4/5

Peaceful Wildlife Haven with a Pricey Crossing

Brownsea Island is a gem for nature lovers and walkers alike. The ferry crossing from Poole is a bit steep—especially when paired with the extra entry fee if you're not a National Trust member—but once you're on the island, it’s easy to see why it’s worth the trip.

The wildlife is wonderfully diverse: red squirrels dart through the trees, sea birds skim the shoreline, and the whole place feels like a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the mainland. Walking trails are well-maintained and offer stunning views back towards Poole and Sandbanks, making for a thoroughly enjoyable circuit.

Tip: If you’re a National Trust member, bring your card—entry’s included, which softens the blow of the ferry fare.

Sue G.

5/5

Absolutely beautiful!
Very quiet, tranquil, full of unique walks,forests, beach,birds,deer and red squirrels. Large lake in centre, lots of benches to sit and breathe in the scenery. Play area for children, cafe near ferry stop.

Chris S.

5/5

Great day out for all, great scenery. Be prepared that the boat trip doesn't include entry into the island itself so there are two seperate costs, still think its sub £25 pp all in. Would be nice if there was some more bins dotted around the trails, especially in hot-spot area like the beach on the far side.

David L.

5/5

Only a 20-minute ferry ride (£14.50 p.p. return, as of July 2025, NO discounts) from Poole Quay, the island is free for National Trust members. It's about an hour to an hour and a half walk around the whole island. It is very peaceful and calm. There are views across to Purbeck, Sandbanks, and Poole. There are bird hides and supposedlyvred squirrels but we didn't see any.

Karen A.

5/5

Our first trip to Brownsea Island. Saw a wide variety of wildlife, we even saw the red squirrels! Very peaceful and quiet, various walking trails throughout the island. Would recommend around 3 to 4 hours to explore fully. We also ate at the café, nice Cornish pasties and a good selection of sandwiches.

Warren H.

5/5

Good ferry over (not NT extra cost) , quay is yards from reception and cafe/toilets. Shortish walk to bird hides on North Shore then double back to go (long walk) to South and West Shore. View points along the way , paths clearly marked. This is a nature reserve, there are no playgrounds for kids and if you want to see wildlife you have to be quiet. There's a small, very narrow beach on South Shore but it's not a bathing beach.

Emma H.

5/5

Brownsea Island is a lovely day out and important to support due to it's unique ecology. It could be expensive if you aren't National Trust members as you have to pay for the ferry separately. And pay again if you want to go in the Wildlife Trust area. It does make for a lovely day out, with the ferry part of the adventure. It has toilets and a bar below decks (above deck will be much colder, below can get a bit hot!). There is a lovely cafe who make the best crab sandwiches but service is a little chaotic! Distances on the map are further than they appear. They could do with running the hop on hop off more than twice a day (all terrain manual wheelchairs are only any good if you have someone fit to push them!). Or all terrain mobility scooters! They did a great job of an Easter egg hunt with activities themed around birds. We didn't spot any red squirrels ,(but there are only 250 on the 500 acre island), but we saw magnificent pheasants, ducklings, and lots of lovely flowers. We enjoyed the history of Scouting and the natural Play area too. A later (6pm?) last boat back during good weather/weekends/ school holidays would be great too.

Shalom B.

5/5

Such a beautiful island to wander around with a plethora of viewpoints offering breathtaking views. You can really immerse yourself in woodland walks and one half of the island is for birdwatching with several excellent hides for viewing a vast array of seabirds etc. The boat ride only takes 20-25 mins from Poole Quay.