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Camping on Brownsea Island

Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Dorset, BH13 7EE
Camping at Brownsea Island
Brownsea Island, Dorset
Front view of a tree tent at Brownsea Island, Dorset
Hammock at Brownsea Island, Dorset
Red squirrel on Brownsea Island
Red squirrel on Brownsea Island, Dorset.
Exploring Brownsea Island, Dorset
Brownsea Island Outdoor Centre, Dorset
Family camps at Brownsea Island, Dorset
Red squirrel on Brownsea Island, Dorset
Family on the campsite at Brownsea Island, Dorset
Camping at Brownsea Island Brownsea Island, Dorset Front view of a tree tent at Brownsea Island, Dorset Hammock at Brownsea Island, Dorset Red squirrel on Brownsea Island Red squirrel on Brownsea Island, Dorset. Exploring Brownsea Island, Dorset Brownsea Island Outdoor Centre, Dorset Family camps at Brownsea Island, Dorset Red squirrel on Brownsea Island, Dorset Family on the campsite at Brownsea Island, Dorset

At-a-glance details

  • Type of accommodation Tents Tree Tents
  • No of places / pitches200
  • Seasons
    1 April 2019 - 27 September 2019
  • Minimum stay1 night(s)
  • Dogs welcome per pitch0
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Price guide

About Camping on Brownsea Island

Spend a night under the stars on the spot where the first Scouts camped over 100 years ago.

This unique campsite is nestled on the south side of Brownsea Island overlooking the rolling Purbeck hills and is easily accessed by using a variety of pathways across the island. Your efforts will be rewarded by breathtaking views and a possible red squirrel sighting. You will find showers, toilets and drinking water but no food shopping facilities are available. 

This wildlife haven with its lagoons, lakes and reed beds offers sanctuary to a vast number of birds while the woodlands are home to red squirrels and Sika deer. Staying on the island offers the chance to enjoy the setting at either end of the day when the majority of visitors have departed.

There are three main camping offers: Eco adventure camping for the experienced camper and people who love nature and the great outdoors, Brownsea adventure weekends for families who wish to camp and do activities on the island, or Group camping which is primarily aimed at groups 15 persons and over such as scouts, guides, special interest, corporate groups and schools.

Enquire and book

Call 01202 492161

Opening times

Monday to Thursday: 9am - 4pm.

Online booking for Eco Adventure Camping and Brownsea Adventure Weekends only.

2020 online bookings will be available from January 2020.

Email brownseagroupbooking@nationaltrust.org.uk

Check prices and availability

Types of Accommodation

Eco camping at Brownsea Island, Dorset

Eco adventure camping  

For the experienced camper who loves nature and the great outdoors.

Camping at Brownsea Island

Brownsea adventure weekends 

Our aim is to allow you to experience nature and the beautiful tranquillity of Brownsea outside of opening hours.

Brownsea Island Outdoor Centre, Dorset

Group camping 

Group camping is open to all youth, community, special interest, corporate groups and schools.

Features and facilities

  • BBQ available
  • Play area available
  • Showers available
  • Toilets available
  • Washing-up area available

Additional Information

Family on the campsite at Brownsea Island, Dorset

Campsite Rules 

To ensure everyone who stays at Brownsea Island campsite has a great holiday, we have a few simple site rules.

Read the site rules

Notes for guests

Camping enquiries: 01202 492161

Group Camping: Defined by 15 or more persons camping at one time, primarily aimed at scouts, guides, special interest, corporate groups and schools. If you are in any doubt please contact Group Bookings/ Campsite Enquiries on 01202 492161.

One night stays: Available on a first come, first served basis, subject to availability.

Getting to and from the island: The only way to access the island is by passenger ferry. Public boats run between April and October (and a private service runs between October and March). The last public boats leave both Sandbanks and Poole Quay at 4.30pm. We advise you arrive on or before the 4pm boat. The boat fare is additional.

Arriving by private boat: You are welcome to arrive by sailboat, canoe or kayak but this will need to be pre-arranged.

Parking: There is no parking available on Brownsea Island and access is by passenger ferry only. The nearest parking is the main pay and display car parks at Sandbanks and Poole and they are a 10 -15 minute walk to the ferry.

Transport: We aim to meet all groups on arrival and transport kit up to the campsite for a small charge. Eco Adventure Campers will be expected to manage their own arrival, including signing in, finding their way to the campsite and transporting all their kit.  Brownsea Adventure Weekends campers’ luggage transfer is included in the camp fee.

Hazards: As arrival to the Island is via boat, visitors must be able to independently transfer from the boat onto the jetty. The campsite is close to the sea and cliffs.

 

Places nearby

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Aerial View Brownsea Island Dorset

Brownsea Island

Famous for red squirrels, wildlife and Scouting
Walkers on Knoll beach at Studland Bay, Dorset

Studland Bay

Vast area of sandy beaches and heathland
The ruins of Corfe Castle in spectacular silhouette

Corfe Castle

Thousand-year-old royal castle shaped by warfare
Cliffs near Spyway

Spyway

Towering sea cliffs and grasslands rich in wild flowers
View towards the house across the South Lawn at Kingston Lacy, Dorset

Kingston Lacy

A lavish family home built to resemble an Italian Palace in the rural Dorset countryside
White Mill on the Kingston Lacy estate

White Mill

Corn mill with original wooden machinery in a peaceful riverside setting

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Brownsea Island Campsite

Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Dorset, BH13 7EE
Check availability and book
Call 01202 492161
Email brownseagroupbooking@nationaltrust.org.uk

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About the Acorn rating

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To help find the best cottage for you, we have created our own quality rating system for our holiday cottages called the Acorn rating. Ranging from 1-5 Acorns, the rating gives you an indication of a property’s facilities, fixtures and fittings, with five being the highest quality level. The Acorn rating is not connected to any other industry rating system that may be used for holiday cottages and is only to be used as a guide that covers location, style of interior and the facilities you may be looking for. We do not set our cottage pricing based on the Acorn rating we have given a cottage as all our cottages are of an individual nature. Therefore, we recommend that all factors are considered when making your choice. In addition, some of our cottages are curated to be sympathetic to their time period. This means that they might not have all of the aspects of modern living, but impress in so many other ways.

1 Acorn: simple living accommodation with basic furniture and fixtures fit for purpose and clean. Running water and a toilet are provided. There could be some limitations to heating and washing facilities – details of these will be stated clearly on the cottage's webpage. Bedding, linen and towels are supplied with a few exceptions, which are again clearly stated). Facilities for basic catering and living are provided. In general, a 1 Acorn cottage does not have WiFi.

2 Acorn: a mid-quality range of furniture and fittings. Bathroom facilities are basic or there may be a high number of guests to bathroom ratio depending on the size of the cottage. Very few 2 Acorn cottages have WiFi and the kitchen white goods and washing facilities are basic. Bedding, linen and towels are supplied in all 2-5 Acorn cottages.

3 Acorn: a good, standard offer. Generally it is correctly proportioned for the number of guests but could have a few compromises, for example a small kitchen, or a lower bathroom to guest ratio. The variety of white goods available will be better than a 2 Acorn cottage.

4 Acorn: these cottages have more premium furniture, fittings and lighting. Additionally the ratio of bathrooms to guests is likely to be higher, and the bathrooms would be more likely to have separate and spacious showers instead of showers over baths.

5 Acorn: a luxury accommodation offer with very few limiting factors. This is the highest offer available. It is well-equipped and has spacious facilities throughout the cottage or is set within an extraordinary location or building. The furniture is of a high standard, and has real comfort for modern living.

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