Sandbanks Jetty project: Brownsea Island

Sandbanks jetty plans

Since 1996, the jetty at Sandbanks has served as a crucial landing stage for passenger and small vessels travelling to and from Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour. However, after nearly three decades of service, the structure had naturally deteriorated. In November 2024, a significant portion of the jetty collapsed due to the erosion of the sandy seabed.

Both the jetty and the sea wall within the National Trust’s Sandbanks facility have reached the end of their functional lives and require replacement. The progressive deterioration of the jetty had already impacted visitors, leading to the suspension of large visitor ferries from this location.

As a result, the old jetty has been closed to the public and the wooden structure has been dismantled by a local contractor. The timber has been transported back to the island for upcycling in future projects.

We were aware that the jetty was nearing the end of its natural life and have been planning a new, improved jetty since early last year. With the local council's approval, construction commenced towards the end of 2025 and is ongoing.

Update about the new jetty - July 2026

After years of planning, design and construction, we're delighted to share that for the past couple of weeks we have once again been operating a limited boat service for staff and volunteers from Sandbanks Jetty.

While the site is not yet fully complete and visitor services will unfortunately not return until 2027, simply being back on site feels like the beginning of a new chapter. This project has always been about more than building a replacement jetty. It is about creating a safer, more resilient base for National Trust operations, improving accessibility, supporting day-to-day working, and ultimately welcoming visitors back to Brownsea Island from Sandbanks.

Marine construction is rarely straightforward. Working around tides, weather conditions and the unexpected challenges that inevitably arise has required patience, expertise and close collaboration throughout the project.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has helped bring us to this point, our project partners, designers, specialist subcontractors and the dedicated site team who have worked tirelessly on the build. Their skill, commitment and perseverance have been instrumental in reaching this important milestone.

There is still work to do, but seeing boats alongside the jetty once again is a reminder of how far the project has come. We look forward to sharing further updates as we move towards welcoming visitors back in 2027.