National Trust, Brownsea Island, Poole, Dorset, UK, BH13 7EE

Brownsea Island Campsite

The bell tent at Brownsea Island Campsite, Dorset

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An island campsite near the beach, surrounded by thriving habitats in a spot famous for red squirrels.

Type of accommodation
Tents, Bell tents, Tree tents
Number of places / pitches
40
Seasons
28 Mar 2025 - 29 Sep 2025
Minimum stay
2 nights
Dogs welcome per pitch
0
This historic campsite is on Brownsea Island, just off the coast in Poole Harbour. The island has sandy beaches and shallow waters on its southern and western shores, as well as a patchwork of woodland and heathland, reedbeds, lakes and a lagoon of international importance for overwintering and summer-nesting birds. The island is famous for red squirrels and you can often join a guided walk to spot them.

Trails criss-cross the island, taking in wildlife, views and great picnic spots. For families, there are activities like the tree climbing trail, natural playgounds and an area for building dens. You can join The Watersports Academy to kayak or paddleboard.

Although Brownsea is only 20 minutes from the mainland by ferry, it feels a world away and offers a real escape with no traffic or light pollution and remarkable sunrises and sunsets . You can reach the island on your own boat, but most guests arrive on the ferry from Poole, and then it's a 20-minute walk to the campsite. Brownsea offers a traditional camping experience with simple pitches and shared camp kitchens. It was home to the first Scout camp in 1907, and is an important place for the Scouting and Guiding movement with regular group camps on the island. Complete a group camping enquiry form if you'd like to bring your Scout or Guide group to Brownsea.

Check in is 2.30pm - 5.30pm, with departures by 10.30am. Your ferry ticket is not included in your campsite booking - please check ferry timetables in advance. Your island entry is included in your campsite booking. Please pack light ensuring you can carry all your own gear on the ferry and to the campsite including tent, sleeping bag and mat, torch, food and cup/bowl/cutlery. You will have the option of dropping your gear in the shared luggage trailer to be delivered to the campsite later in the day. We provide drinking water and cooking equipment in shared camp kitchens on the island. Sorry, but dogs are not allowed on Brownsea Island. Find more information in the Guide to Brownsea Island Campsite.
Play area, available
Toilets, available
Showers, available
Washing-up area, available

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Pitch your tent

The simple tent pitches are widely spaced in clearings between the trees and we rotate them to support conservation on the island. Book a pitch online, and we'll allocate yours when you arrive. Remember you'll need to be able to carry your tent and other gear on and off the ferry and to our luggage trailer. You'll have shared access to equipped camp kitchens, but should bring all the other gear recommended in the packing guide (see the Guide to Brownsea Island Campsite).

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Tree tents

The tree tents are suspended between the trees, no higher than 1.2m, ready for you to put your own roll mat and sleeping bag inside. They sleep two or three people (children must be over three years old). You'll have shared access to equipped camp kitchens, but should bring all the other gear recommended in the packing guide (see the Guide to Brownsea Island Campsite). Stays in the tree tents are subject to wind conditions.

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A bell tent at Brownsea Island Campsite, Dorset

Bell tents

The bell tents are traditional, pre-pitched tents on wooden platforms. The smaller (4m) bell tents sleep two people, and the larger (5m) bell tents sleep up to four people. Dogs are not allowed on Brownsea Island.

The interior of a bell tent at Brownsea Island Campsite, Dorset

What's inside?

The bell tents have a double futon-style mattress with bedding and linen for two people. In addition, the 5m tents have two foam futons to make beds for two more guests, although you'll need to bring the bedding and linen for them. There's also a table with two camping chairs in each of the tents. We'll provide cooking equipment, a cool box with frozen cool packs, a washing-up bowl and access to a shared field kitchen.

What should I bring?

Please bring your own cup, plate/bowl and cutlery, as well as your food. Bring towels, and we recommend extra lighting like a wind-up lantern or extra torch. Don't forget bedding and linen for the additional futons if you'll be using them. You'll mind more information about what to pack in the Guide to Brownsea Island Campsite.

Make a group booking enquiry

Article

Group camping for Scouting and Guiding Groups

Brownsea Island was part of the Scouting and Guiding movement's early beginnings, when the first 'experimental' camp was held here in 1907. It's the country's only SCENES - Scout Centre of Excellence for Nature, Environment and Sustainability - and is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve. There's space for up to 60 group campers in a designated area with an equipped field kitchen, near the facilities. South Shore Lodge bunkhouse (sleeps 12) and St Mark's Bothy (sleeps five) are nearby and can be booked together.

Article

Guide to Brownsea Island Campsite

Find all you need to know about a holiday at Brownsea Island Campsite, including how to travel to the island, facilities and more...

A gap through leafy trees reveals a bell tent with the sea in the background

Discover more with the National Trust Podcast

Camp under the trees at Brownsea Island, Dorset and uncover the history of the Scouts movement in 'Escape to adventure island'. You can also find more episodes from series seven, filled with nature and history.

A red squirrel on Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Dorset

Upcoming events at Brownsea Island

From red squirrel walks and funghi hunts to family bushcraft sessions and yoga...

The exterior of South Shore Lodge, Brownsea Island

Bunkhouses nearby

Perfect for family and friends on holiday together or as part of an organised group or association trip, Victorian conversion South Shore Lodge sleeps 12 people in basic bunk-bed accommodation right by the beach on Brownsea Island.

St Mark's Bothy, Brownsea Island, Dorset

Bothies nearby

St Mark's Bothy opened in 2024, a small stone building from the 1800s, right next to the beach and South Shore Lodge. It has simple facilities for five people.

The front sitting room at Agent's House, Dorset

Holiday cottages near Brownsea Island Campsite

For friends and family who might like to stay near you in a holiday cottage, there are two National Trust cottages by the water's edge on Brownsea Island. Custom's House sleeps two guests, and Agent's House sleeps six. Both are bright and fresh with great views.

An aerial view of Brownsea Island, Dorset. Brownsea Island sits in the middle of Poole Harbour.

Place

Trail

Brownsea Island viewpoint vistas walk

Dorset

Enjoy a scenic tour of Brownsea Island’s best viewpoints, offering spectacular seascapes that take in neighbouring islands and the Purbeck Hills beyond. Make sure you bring your camera.

Areas A-Z

Things to do

Place types

Brownsea Island Campsite

Brownsea Island Campsite