Rainy day adventures on Brownsea Island

Two young children, one in a pink dress and another in a brown coat and yellow wellie boots splashing in muddy puddles on a footpath, on a sunny day with bright yellow daffodils on either side of the path which seem to glow in the sunshine — Children enjoying the puddles. | © ©National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

In this article, we'll share how to make the most of quieter rainy days on Brownsea Island throughout the year, when you've got a really good chance of seeing a red squirrel in the wild.

Under foot

With hard paths and wooden walkways across the island, you can get around whatever the weather. On rainy days, there are puddles to jump in and a range of habitats to explore.

The wooded areas offer shelter from the elements and are home to lots of red squirrels, which are much more visible on quieter days.

Rain shelter

Our indoor spaces like the Visitor Centre, Visitor Reception and the island's church are available for you to shelter in should the weather take an unexpected turn. There are several hides at the Dorset Wildlife Trust area, where you can shelter from the rain and enjoy watching the wildlife.

Squirrel Shuttle bus service

Accessible tours are available on our Squirrel Shuttle bus at 11.40am and 1.40pm. This service improves access for all, offering guided tours for those less mobile or with additional needs. There is also a hop on, hop off service at 10.40am and 2.40pm for those that need a little help exploring further afield, including families with smaller children. Booking is advised, please contact reception 01202 492164. Please note that there are 8 spaces for each journey, but this number is reduced if a wheelchair user is on board. This service is subject to volunteer availability on the day.

Engine Room bookshop

Browse the range of second hand books available in the Engine Room and put your feet up, knowing that every donation goes towards looking after this special place. The Engine Room also plays host to displays about this island's history and famous faces.

Villano café

After you have explored the island, head on over to the café and warm up with a hot chocolate and a slice of cake. Or try one of the seasonal soups on offer. This is a great place to warm up, dry off and enjoy the stunning views over Poole Harbour. With free activity sheets, there's plenty to keep kids occupied while a shower passes.

Girl sipping a large cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows on the top — Warm up with a warming hot chocolate in the Villano Cafe. | © National Trust Images / John Millar

'50 things...'

There are a few challenges to tick off from your '50 Things to do before you're 11 3/4' list which lend themselves to rainy days too. You can Go Welly wandering, build a den, make a mud creation or discover wild animal clues.

For more information or to see the full list, click here.

Travelling on the ferries

The Poole Quay ferry has a indoor deck and seating is provided on a first-come, first-served basis so it's best to be prepared for wet weather using our checklist: