Brownsea Island

The Island belonging to Brunoc - although nowadays it belongs to The National Trust. In the thirteenth century it was called Brunkseye, it became Bronkseye by 1319.

Brownsea lies just inside the mouth of Poole Harbour and was provided with a castle and cannon for its defence. There is a long history of wrangling between the townspeople of Poole and the guardians of the castle who were infrequently paid and were sometimes more of a menace to local shipping that the pirates they were meant to discourage. In 1562 a petition was sent to the Privy Council reminding them that "The Queen's Majesties Castell of Brownecksey" was in need of renovation and the cannon needed to be replaced. there is no record of any reply.

About 1850 potteries and a brickworks were established to exploit a thick seam of high quality clay that underlay the Island. The initial project failed but it was revived later and at times over 250 people lived and worked there.

Baden Powell's first ever Boy's Scout Camp in Brownsea and the Island's subsequent involvement with the movement has made it more famous than perhaps it deserves. Under National Trust ownership it has become a tourist attraction of the gentler sort. A colony of red squirrels survives from before the arrival of their grey American cousins. These and the rich birdlife, nature and history trails make it well worth the short boat trip.

Stay at The Priory Hotel when you visit Brownsea
Next: Corfe
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