Get up close to nature on Brownsea Island with the National Trust on a family wild adventures weekend. Spend the night camping under the stars and explore the island’s wildlife with rangers from Dorset Wildlife Trust. After wildlife watching families can join a water sports session exploring Poole Harbour.   

Families can arrive any time on Saturday to pitch their tent at the site of the very first scout camp run by Lord Baden Powell in 1907. In the evening dinner will be served at the harbour fronted Villano Café, followed by a night-time safari looking for some of Brownsea’s more elusive nocturnal wildlife, such as the many species of bats and moths.  

The following morning the ranger team will lead another wildlife expedition over to the lagoon to watch birds like the sandwich tern feed their chicks. Breakfast will be served in the café before heading off for two-hours of either paddle boarding or kayaking, led by local water sports company, the Water Sports Academy.    

Ben Beacham, Lead Ranger says ‘In early summer, the nightjars arrive on the island from Africa, their unique and eerie call can be heard at dusk across the heathland. In the evening, Sika deer start to emerge from the undergrowth. surprisingly Brownsea is home to around 40 deer. Red squirrels can often be seen scuttling about on the woodland floor as the day cools off.’  

Family Wild Adventures Weekend will take place on Sat 1st & Sun 2nd July. Adults £110 & Child £70.  Price includes entry, boat fare, a camping pitch, supper & breakfast, two safaris with rangers and a two-hour paddle –boarding experience.  Boats leave Poole Quay on the hour from 10am. For more information please head to: https://www.nationaltrust-tickets.org.uk/event-tickets/33972?catID=33218&branches.branchID=2449