The wild English island that inspired Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books – with secret caves & seaside campsite
THERE’S a tiny English island that inspired a famous Brit author, and it’s home to secret caves and a seaside campsite.
Set in Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island is the largest island off the coast of Dorset.
The island is said to have inspired the well-known children’s author Enid Blyton.
After she glimpsed Brownsea, Blyton wrote about Whispering Island in the Famous Five book, Five Have a Mystery to Solve.
The island is now owned by the National Trust and is considered to be a wildlife haven.
Accessible from Poole Harbour, passengers will need to board a small foot ferry to reach Brownsea.
During the peak season, daily ferries run every half an hour from Poole Quay to Brownsea.
The crossing takes approximately 20 minutes and costs £13 for a full-paying adult.
In addition to the ferry ticket, holidaymakers will also need to pay an admission fee to visit the island.
Tickets cost £9.50 for an adult, and £4.75 for a child, while entry onto the island is free for National Trust holders.
There’s a visitor centre on the island where holidaymakers can learn about Brownsea’s wildlife including its population of red squirrels.
Daily guided tours also take place on the island at either 11.30am or 1.30pm, holidaymakers can also hop on a shuttle bus service to tour the island too.
The island is a wildlife haven and is home to red squirrels, a variety of exotic birds, bats, and deer.
There’s also a natural play area on the island with plenty of walking routes, a second-hand bookshop, and a small shop where holidaymakers can purchase a souvenir.
The island is also home to a series of secret caves including Ariel Cave.
While visitors can book onto an excursion to visit the caves, it isn’t for the faint-hearted.
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Harbourside Cafe, the island’s only coffee shop, serves a large variety of hot and cold food including cakes and ice cream,
Other facilities include a picnic area and toilets that are open to the public.
While it may seem unlikely, holidaymakers can stay overnight on the island’s campsite.
The campsite is set on the south side of the island overlooking the Purbeck hills.
It’s accessible via a series of public footpaths and it’s only a 20-minute walk from the pier.
There are plenty of facilities on the island too including showers, toilets, drinking water, cooking facilities, and a shop.
Sun Online Travel has found tent pitches from £56 per person on the island during the summer months.
Holidaymakers have been raving about the island on TripAdvisor too.
One person wrote: “We’ve been four times and it’s always a great day out, we’ve seen a few red squirrels each visit and the kids always enjoy the variety of wildlife.”
Another person added: “Very nice place to walk and we were lucky enough to spot one red squirrel.”
While a third said: “A fantastic trip with my family.”
There are several other islands in Poole Harbour including Furzey Island, Round Island, and Green Island.
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