Our verdict
A brilliant day out for wildlife, but not one for your dog — Brownsea Island bans dogs entirely (assistance dogs excepted) to protect the red squirrel population and nesting birds, so this only works if you can arrange care for your dog elsewhere first.
Brownsea Island's northern shore, where the Dorset Wildlife Trust manages a lagoon and woodland reserve renowned for its red squirrels, avocets and one of the largest heronries in Britain, alongside views across Poole Harbour towards Arne and Purbeck.