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Pink heather with trees in the background and blue sky above.
Heathland vista on a sunny day. | © Lynne Burningham
Dorset

Brownsea lakes and heath walk

This gentle walk passes through some of the most beautiful and varied habitats on Brownsea, including heathland and woodland. It's an ideal route for wildlife watching and photography.

Total steps: 6

Total steps: 6

Start point

The blue waymarked route, grid ref: SZ 02025 87649

Step 1

Pick up the blue way marked route near South Shore Lodge and follow it through to the heathland.

Visitors walking at Brownsea Island, Dorset
Visitors walking at Brownsea Island, Dorset | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Step 2

Pass through the heathland and take the first right-hand turn into the woodland.

Heather on Brownsea Island, Dorset.
Heather on Brownsea Island | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Step 3

At the bottom of the track, take a right-hand turn towards the quay. As you wander down, you will pass two lakes on your left-hand side which are located in the Dorset Wildlife Trust area.

View across lake with blue sky and clouds above reflecting in the water.
The view across the lake in spring. | © Lynne Burningham

Step 4

Continue on until you reach a right-hand turn, sign posted 'Lily pond'. Here you will also come across the remains of the old Vinery.

Step 5

At the Lily pond, take a seat and take a minute to take the wildlife that calls this special spot home.

A  close up image of a black and yellow common darter dragonfly sat in the sun on a blade of grass
You may find some dragonflies basking in the sunshine. | © National Trust Images/Nick Upton

Step 6

Continue onwards past the Lily pond and arrive by Daffodil Field at the top of the hill.

A peacock amongst the daffodils at Brownsea Island, Dorset
Peacock in the Daffodil Fields National Trust/Ian Shaw | © National Trust/Ian Shaw

End point

Daffodil field

Trail map

A map showing the lakes and heath walking route
Follow this walking route for a mindful walk through Brownsea's countryside | © OS maps

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Brownsea Island wildlife walk 

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Get in touch

Poole Harbour, Poole, Dorset, BH13 7EE

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

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