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

Brownsea lakes and heath walk

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.

Total steps: 6

Total steps: 6

Start point

The blue waymarked route, grid ref: SZ 02025 87649

Step 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
Visitors walking at Brownsea Island, Dorset | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Step 2

Pass through the heathland and take the first right-hand turn into the woodland.

Heather on Brownsea Island, Dorset.
Heather on Brownsea Island | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Step 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.

View across lake with blue sky and clouds above reflecting in the water.
The view across the lake in spring. | © Lynne Burningham

Step 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.

Step 5

At the Lily pond, take a seat and take a minute to take the wildlife that calls this special spot home.

A  close up image of a black and yellow common darter dragonfly sat in the sun on a blade of grass
You may find some dragonflies basking in the sunshine. | © National Trust Images/Nick Upton

Step 6

Continue onwards past the Lily pond and arrive by Daffodil Field at the top of the hill.

A peacock amongst the daffodils at Brownsea Island, Dorset
Peacock in the Daffodil Fields National Trust/Ian Shaw | © National Trust/Ian Shaw

End point

Daffodil field

Trail map

A map showing the lakes and heath walking route
Follow this walking route for a mindful walk through Brownsea's countryside | © OS maps

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

Black-tailed godwit at Brownsea Island
Trail
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.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)

Get in touch

Poole Harbour, Poole, Dorset, BH13 7EE

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

Visitor crossing water via stepping stones with their dog on an autumnal walk at Wallington

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.
Article
Article

Follow the Countryside Code 

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

A man and a woman enjoy the view whilst walking in the Peak District
Article
Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner 

Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.

Couple sitting in the Villano Café garden with views over Poole Harbour.
Article
Article

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.