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Brownsea Island: Difference between revisions
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'''Brownsea Island''' is the largest of eight [[island]]s in Poole Harbour in the county of [[Dorset]], England. The island is owned by the National Trust. Much of the island is open to the public and includes areas of woodland and heath with a wide variety of wildlife, together with cliff top views across Poole Harbour and the [[Isle of Purbeck]]. The island is most notable as the home of the first camp of the [[Scouting|Boy Scout movement]]. Access is by public ferry or private boat; in 2002 the island received 105,938 visitors. The islands name comes from [[Anglo-Saxon]] ''Brūnoces īeg'' = "Brūnoc's island". | '''Brownsea Island''' is the largest of eight [[island]]s in Poole Harbour in the county of [[Dorset]], England. The island is owned by the National Trust. Much of the island is open to the public and includes areas of woodland and heath with a wide variety of wildlife, together with cliff top views across Poole Harbour and the [[Isle of Purbeck]]. The island is most notable as the home of the first camp of the [[Scouting|Boy Scout movement]]. Access is by public ferry or private boat; in 2002 the island received 105,938 visitors. The islands name comes from [[Anglo-Saxon]] ''Brūnoces īeg'' = "Brūnoc's island". | ||
== Geography == | == Geography == | ||
Brownsea island lies in Poole Harbour opposite the town of | Brownsea island lies in Poole Harbour opposite the town of Poole in [[Dorset]], England. It is the largest of eight [[island]]s in the harbour. The island can only be reached by one of the public operated ferries or by private boat. There is a wharf and a small dock near the main castle. The island can be seen from almost all of the mainland and from such places as [[Sandbanks]]. The island is 1.5 miles long and 0.75 miles wide. | ||
The entire island is owned by the National Trust, including most of the buildings on the island (which are situated near the small dock/wharf). However several buildings and parts of the island are leased or managed by third parties. The northern portion of the island is a [[Nature Reserve]] managed by [[Dorset Wildlife Trust]] and an important [[habitat (ecology)|habitat]] for [[birds]]; this part of the island has limited public access. A small portion to the south-east of the island, along with the castle, is leased to the [[John Lewis Partnership]] for use as a holiday home for partners, and is not open to the public. | The entire island is owned by the National Trust, including most of the buildings on the island (which are situated near the small dock/wharf). However several buildings and parts of the island are leased or managed by third parties. The northern portion of the island is a [[Nature Reserve]] managed by [[Dorset Wildlife Trust]] and an important [[habitat (ecology)|habitat]] for [[birds]]; this part of the island has limited public access. A small portion to the south-east of the island, along with the castle, is leased to the [[John Lewis Partnership]] for use as a holiday home for partners, and is not open to the public. | ||
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=== Early History === | === Early History === | ||
[[image:scout.stone.750pix.jpg|thumb|The monument commemorating the [[Brownsea Island Scout camp|first Scout camp]]]] | [[image:scout.stone.750pix.jpg|thumb|The monument commemorating the [[Brownsea Island Scout camp|first Scout camp]]]] | ||
Brownsea Island's story is first recorded in the 7th century, when a [[hermit]] living on the island lit beacons to guide boats into the harbour. In 1015 [[King Canute]] landed on the island before attempted invasions at nearby [[Wareham, Dorset|Wareham]] and [[Hamworthy]] ( | Brownsea Island's story is first recorded in the 7th century, when a [[hermit]] living on the island lit beacons to guide boats into the harbour. In 1015 [[King Canute]] landed on the island before attempted invasions at nearby [[Wareham, Dorset|Wareham]] and [[Hamworthy]] (Poole). | ||
The island was fortified by [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]], and the [[castle]] he built became a parliamentary stronghold in the [[English civil war]]. After electricity was installed at the end of the 19th century the castle caught fire and was only partially rebuilt. | The island was fortified by [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]], and the [[castle]] he built became a parliamentary stronghold in the [[English civil war]]. After electricity was installed at the end of the 19th century the castle caught fire and was only partially rebuilt. | ||
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In the 1930s the owner of the island, Mrs. Mary Bonham-Christie, closed the island to visitors to make it a wildlife sanctuary. This led to the island becoming overgrown, but when the National Trust purchased the island after the owner's death, it was reopened to the public. | In the 1930s the owner of the island, Mrs. Mary Bonham-Christie, closed the island to visitors to make it a wildlife sanctuary. This led to the island becoming overgrown, but when the National Trust purchased the island after the owner's death, it was reopened to the public. | ||
In the Second World War lights were placed on the island at night to divert the attention of bombers away from the nearby conurbation of | In the Second World War lights were placed on the island at night to divert the attention of bombers away from the nearby conurbation of Poole and [[Bournemouth]], army camps on the [[Purbecks]] and the important naval base on the [[Isle of Portland]]. There are many bomb craters on the island that are havens for rare wildlife. | ||
Since 1964 the island has been host to the [[Brownsea Open Air Theatre]], annually performing the works of [[William Shakespeare]]. | Since 1964 the island has been host to the [[Brownsea Open Air Theatre]], annually performing the works of [[William Shakespeare]]. | ||