Dorset

Brownsea lakes and heath walk

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

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.

Near to

Brownsea Island

Start point

The blue waymarked route, grid ref: SZ 02025 87649

Trail information

View route

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Difficulty*

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)

Duration 30 mins to 40 mins

Not suitable for dogs**

*Easy walk across reasonably flat areas of grassland and paths. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Dogs are not permitted on Brownsea Island, with the exception of assistance dogs which must be clearly identifiable.

Address
The picnic barn, grid ref: SZ020877
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Poole Railway Station is 0.5 miles from Poole Quay. The Poole Town circular bus connects to the Quay from the train station.
By ferry
Access to Brownsea Island is via ferry. All 2025 information on getting here from Poole Quay is available on our website.
By bus
The Poole town circular bus connects Poole Quay with the bus and train station. The number 60 runs from Rockley Park to Poole Quay. The numbers 8 and 9 run services close to Poole Quay via Hamworthy, Turlin Moor, Upton and Creekmoor.
By road
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. Parking: Parking in Poole: follow signs to Quay Visitors car park (BH15 1SB).
Total stages: 6
Total stages: 6
Start point
The blue waymarked route, grid ref: SZ 02025 87649
Stage 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 | © National Trust Images/John Millar
Stage 2
Pass through the heathland and take the first right-hand turn into the woodland.
Heather on Brownsea Island | © National Trust Images/John Millar
Stage 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.
Brownsea's freshwater lakes
There are two man-made lakes in the central valley of the island and the nearby flooded meadows which have been colonised by reeds, attracting a different sort of wildlife. The lakes are surrounded by sallow and alder trees, an important source of seed for over-wintering birds such as siskin and redpoll. You may also see where sika deer have rubbed their antlers on sallows during the autumn mating season.
The view across the lake in spring. | © Lynne Burningham
Stage 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.
Self-sufficiency
Looking at the remains of the old vinery, just imagine the then owner of Brownsea Island, Colonel Waugh, creating this kitchen garden in the 1850s. Many types of fruit and vegetables were grown, and the long brick wall is the most visible surviving feature. To the south side were glasshouses for vines and on the lakeside you can see fireplaces for gardeners' accommodation, as well as the site of the boiler which heated the greenhouses.
The remains of the gardeners fireplace. | © National Trust/ Lynne Burningham
Stage 5
At the Lily pond, take a seat and take a minute to take the wildlife that calls this special spot home.
The tranquil lily pond | © National Trust/ Lynne Burningham
Stage 6
Continue onwards past the Lily pond and arrive by Daffodil Field at the top of the hill.
Daffodils
In 1908 a previous owner of Brownsea, Florence van Raalte, had been so inspired by the flower bulb industry on the Isles of Scilly, that she decided to imitate it on Brownsea. She oversaw nearly 14 acres of daffodils which were sold locally and at Covent Garden. On average, 750 bunches of a dozen flowers were picked every night during March and April. The daffodil business ended when Florence left the island but the bulbs kept producing flowers. Looks for the parallel ridges in the ground on Daffodil field and you'll see traces of where the flowers were cultivated.
Daffodils are on display in the spring. | © National Trust Images/James Dobson
End point
Daffodil field
Trail map
Follow this walking route for a mindful walk through Brownsea's countryside | © OS maps
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Trail

Brownsea Island wildlife walk

There is plenty of wildlife and history to discover on this woodland walk. Catch a glimpse of a rare red squirrel or traces of Brownsea's once industrial past.

Poole Harbour, Poole, Dorset, BH13 7EE

01202707744

brownseaisland@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Eating and shopping on Brownsea Island

Fuel up for your adventure at the Villano Café, where you'll find a wide variety of hot and cold drinks, snacks and light meals. Elsewhere, shop for a Brownsea Island souvenir at the Trading Post and browse our second-hand bookshop.

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Brownsea lakes and heath walk

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