BROWNSEA Island is set to reopen to visitors this month, as the National Trust celebrates 60 years of the island being open to the public.

Visitors will be welcomed back to the island by the National Trust on Saturday, March 11. They will be able to see the island’s resident red squirrels, with the Woodland Walk a great opportunity to spot the rare animals.

Families will be able to learn more about the wildlife and the work of the rangers and volunteers that work on the island at the visitor centre, as well as being able to enjoy the island’s natural play area.

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The Villano Café will be open, and the campsite reopens on April 1.

For the first time in three years, visitors will be able to travel to the island from Poole Quay on a walk-in basis. They will be able to travel from Sandbanks again, but booking is essential here.

Dawn Clark, visitor experience officer, said: “For the island’s family offer this year the theme for 2023 – to coincide with our 60th anniversary – is ‘bugs, glorious bugs’. It’s the perfect excuse to celebrate 60 of our wriggly, buzzing, flying and crawling little friends throughout the year.”

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Visitor operations and experience manager, Olivia Gruitt, said: “As always, we look forward to this time of year and welcoming visitors back to the island to share its beauty.

“Your visit helps us look after this haven for wildlife in the middle of Poole Harbour which is part of the Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve.”

For more information, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island.