Brownsea Island, Dorest, National Trust. Paid entry + ferry fare

Details

Accessibility

https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/documents/maps/1431730041255-brownsea-island.pdf

And https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/documents/access-guide/1431730041255-brownsea-island.pdf

Electric buggy tours for the less mobile available Mar-Nov, call 01202 707744, to book

Poole Quay Visitor car park is multi-storey with concrete surfaces and lift access to all floors. Sandbanks beach car park has level access.

Free all terrain wheelchairs are available from Visitor Reception, pre-book on: 01202 707744

Reception staff members can advise on best paths for wheel chair users.

Seahorse landing craft provides wheelchair access to the island. Boat runs on set days throughout the season. Booking is essential. Please see website for details or call 01202 707 744.

Assistance dogs permitted and should be clearly identifiable.

Large print map available.

Hearing loops installed at Visitor Reception, Shop and Visitor Centre.

Seahorse landing craft

The National Trust's Seahorse landing craft can transport visitors using wheel chairs, quickly and safely to the island. Pickup location is from the Sandbanks Yacht Company slipway (near Sandbanks Jetty) and its an easy 10 minute journey to the island. The service is tide and weather dependent, so to check out sailing times and prices, please head to our website or call 01202 707744.

Brief description

https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/documents/maps/1431730041255-brownsea-island.pdf  "Famous for red squirrels, wildlife and Scouting. Brownsea Island is dramatically located at the entrance to Poole Harbour, offering spectacular views across to Studland and the Purbeck Hills, habitats include pinewoods, home to the increasingly rare red squirrel, heathland and a lagoon with important populations of wading and seabirds." 

Address

Poole Harbour, Poole, Dorset, BH13 7EE

Email

brownseaisland@nationaltrust.org.uk

Phone

01202 707744

Website

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island

Directions

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island#How%20to%20get%20here

Seahorse landing craft

The National Trust's Seahorse landing craft can transport visitors using wheel chairs, quickly and safely to the island. Pickup location is from the Sandbanks Yacht Company slipway (near Sandbanks Jetty) and its an easy 10 minute journey to the island. The service is tide and weather dependent, so to check out sailing times and prices, please head to our website or call 01202 707744.

By ferry

From March 14 - November 15 the following services will be running to Brownsea Island from Poole Quay: Greenslade Pleasure Boats and Brownsea Island Ferries will run half hourly services to Brownsea Island from 10am. Return prices start from £12.50 per adult and £7 per child. Boats returning to Poole Quay leave at 20 mins past and 50 mins past each hour. From Sandbanks Jetty: Brownsea Island Ferries will be running a half hourly service from 10am. Return boats leave the island at 15 mins past and 45 mins past each hour. Please not there is no 1pm or 1:15pm service. Prices start from £7.70 per adult and £5 per child. Until Nov 1 the last ferries off the island are at 5pm. All visitors, including National Trust members, need to purchase ferry tickets which are payable on the day from the ferry company kiosks situated on Poole Quay or at Sandbanks Jetty. For more information, please see the ferry company websites for more details: https://www.greensladepleasureboats.co.uk/brownsea-island-ferry https://www.brownseaislandferries.com/tariff/ Please note that bad weather could affect the normal ferry service. In this event, a notice will be uploaded onto our website and social media channels will bring you the latest news.

By road

Follow signs to Poole Quay or Sandbanks. To access Poole Harbour from the west take the A35/A350 Dorchester-Poole road. From the east take the A31 Ringwood-Poole road. From the north take the A3081/A350 Shaftesbury-Poole road.

Parking: Parking in Poole: follow signs to Quay visitors car park, where you can use pedestrian signage to locate the quay. Sandbanks Jetty: for on street parking please see: www.poole.gov.uk/parking/car-parks/beach-car-parks/panorama-road-on-street-parking. There is a large beach car park a 15 min walk from the Jetty, details can be found here: www.poole.gov.uk/parking/car-parks/beach-car-parks/sandbanks-surface-car-park.

SatNav: Postcodes for Sat Nav: Sandbanks Jetty, BH13 7QJ and Poole Quay, BH15 1HP.

By cycle

Please note that it's not possible to bring bikes to the island. Cycle racks are available at Poole Quay and Sandbanks Jetty. National Cycle Network route 25 runs from Blandford Forum to Bournemouth, via Wimborne Minster and Poole Quay. National Cycle Network route 2 runs all the way from Hengistbury Head, along Bournemouth Promenade, which is traffic-free, via Sandbanks and onto the Isle of Purbeck. Please note restrictions apply along the promenade between 10am and 7pm from mid-June to mid-Sept.

On foot

From Quay visitors car park in Poole: follow the pedestrian signage to Poole Quay where you will find two ferry kiosks which run ferries to Brownsea Island with a Lord Baden Powell statue in between them. From Sandbanks beach car park: Follow signs for Ferry along Banks road and onto Ferry Way. Cross the road and Sandbanks Jetty is the small wooden jetty to the right of the yellow kiosk and chain ferry departure point.

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island#Opening%20times

And https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island#Prices

Transport

By bus

For Sandbanks: the number 50 runs between Bournemouth via Sandbanks to Swanage. The number 60 runs from Rockley Park in Poole to Sandbanks. For Poole Quay: the number 60 runs from Rockley Park via Poole Quay to Sandbanks. The numbers 8 and 9 run services close to Poole Quay via Hamworthy, Turlin Moor, Upton and Creekmoor. Further bus information can be found here: www.morebus.co.uk/services.

By train

Poole station to Poole Quay, 0.5 miles; Branksome or Parkstone stations to Sandbanks Jetty, 3.5 miles.

Amenities

Ferry operator kiosks are at Poole Quay and Sandbanks Jetty. Sandbanks is cash only.

Dogs are not permitted, only assistance dogs allowed who must be clearly identifiable.

Toilets located at Visitor Reception, the Visitor Centre and at the Outdoor Centre.

Food available in the Villano Café

Browse our shop for Brownsea Island gifts

Take home a Scout and Guide souvenir from the Trading Post

Free introductory guided walks, twice daily at 11.30am and 2pm

Due to high fire risk, no barbeques or fires are allowed on the island

Seasonal event programme available

Cycling is not currently permitted on the island

Baby-changing facilities available at Visitor Reception and Outdoor Centre

Free all terrain push chairs can be hired, call 01202 707744 to pre-book

Free activity trails are available at the Visitor Centre

Natural play area to explore

Outdoor Centre offers camping experiences

Picnic benches and benches available across the island.

Children's menu available at the Villano Café

Terrain not suitable for bikes or scooters

Free electric buggy service available for the less mobile. Call 01202 707744 to pre-book