Brownsea Island

For the ferry from Poole Quay to Brownsea: Follow signs to Poole Quay. To access Poole Harbour from the west take the A35/A350 Dorchester-Poole route. From the east take the A31 Ringwood-Poole road. From the north take the A3081/A350 Shaftesbury-Poole road. For the boat service from Sandbanks (pre-bookable only): follow the signs from Poole to Sandbanks and the chain ferry. Once on the peninsular, keep right at the one-way system to avoid queuing for the chain ferry which is a car and passenger ferry across to Purbeck. You'll need to follow the parking guidance below for parking on the peninsular.

Parking: Parking in Poole: follow signs to Quay Visitors car park (BH15 1SB). For vehicles 1.90m+ use surface car parks at Baiter a 15 minute walk to the Quay (BH15 1UX). Overnight parking is available at Poole Quay Hotel. Payment can be made at reception for non-residents upon arrival. Parking Sandbanks: follow signs to Sandbanks car park, or use on-street parking on the peninsular. If in Purbeck, park in the National Trust Shell Bay car park and catch the chain ferry to Sandbanks.

Sat Nav: Poole Quay: BH15 1HP (for parking for Poole Quay use postcode in parking section) Sandbanks Jetty: BH13 7RG (this navigates to Panorama Road where on-street parking, payable at meter or by phone is available).

To Poole Quay: From the Quay visitors car park in Poole: follow the pedestrian signage to Poole Quay where you will find ferries departing to Brownsea Island (BH15 1HP). To Sandbanks Jetty: From Studland, catch the chain ferry as a foot passenger across to Sandbanks if coming from Purbeck. If parking up at Sandbanks surface car park or in surrounding roads on the Sandbanks peninsular, use BH13 7QJ to navigate to the National Trust jetty (this is situated next to the Chain Ferry, opposite the Haven Hotel).

Poole Railway Station is 0.5 miles from Poole Quay. Parkstone Railway Station is 3.6 miles from the Sandbanks Jetty. The Poole Town circular bus connects the Quay and Sandbanks with bus and train stations. For bus information visit: https://www.morebus.co.uk/services

For Poole Quay or Sandbanks Jetty: the number 60 runs from Rockley Park via Poole Quay to Sandbanks Jetty. The numbers 8 and 9 run services close to Poole Quay via Hamworthy, Turlin Moor, Upton and Creekmoor. For up-to-date bus information visit: https://www.morebus.co.uk/services If travelling by public transport the Poole town circular bus connects the quay with the bus and train stations. Further bus information can be found here: www.morebus.co.uk/services

Please note that it's not possible to bring bikes to the island. Cycle racks are available at Poole Quay. National Cycle Network route 25 runs from Blandford Forum to Bournemouth, via Wimborne Minster and Poole Quay. Beryl bike scheme has a parking bay nearby, visit Beryl Bike Scheme for more information.

Cycle route information 

Access to Brownsea Island is via ferry. All 2023 information on getting here from Sandbanks and Poole Quay is available on our website.

The National Trust's Seahorse landing craft can transport visitors using wheelchairs, quickly and safely to the island. This service is pre-bookable only, and tide dependent. Pick-up location is from the Sandbanks Yacht Company slipway (near Sandbanks Jetty) and it's an easy 10-minute journey to the island. The service is weather dependent, so to check out sailing times and prices, please see the 'Planning your visit' section of the website or call 01202 492164.