Places of Interest

We are just fifteen minutes drive from the official "Best Beach in Britain" at Sandbanks. From there it is a short ferry ride to Brownsea Island, the very first Boy Scout camping site. [See below.] Also on the island is the Open Air Theatre, bird sanctuary and sea bird observation hide.

Ashdell is: just fifteen minutes walk from the world class Broadstone Golf Club.

Thirty minutes [fifteen miles] drive from the New Forest.

Thirty minutes from the "Isle of Purbeck" with Corfe Castle; reputed as the best preserved example of a medieval village in the Land.

Five minutes beyond that, you come to Swanage with its steam railway soon to be linked with the main national network.

Our coastline is without comparison and includes some of the best examples of fossils to be freely found on any beach, the famous "Blue Pool", Durdle Door and many other natural and spectacular attractions.

The Dorset and East Devon coast [now known as the Jurassic Coast] has been internationally recognised by being given World Heritage Status. The coastline is renowned for its unique geological features, including major fossil sites, the completeness of geological succession and superb erosional processes. This award puts the Dorset coastline in the same league with the Great Barrier Reef and Grand Canyon!"

For more information visit http://www.jurassiccoast.com

Many fascinating historic houses and estates are here to be visited such as Kingston Lacy and Athelhampton, together with famous gardens such as Compton Acres, Knoll Gardens and Stapehill Abbey: all within minutes of Ashdell.

Thomas Hardy and Lawrence of Arabia's homes are within thirty minutes drive. Eastward Portsmouth is within forty minutes with all the maritime interest and museums to be found there.

Poole Harbour [second largest in the world to Sydney harbour] with its full range of water sports, is just ten minutes drive away.

To the north are spread some of the loveliest country villages in the Kingdom, with endless and varied walks wherever you go!

Fifteen miles to the west is Tolpuddle [together with Affpuddle, Briantspuddle, Turnerspuddle and Puddletown] of Tolpuddle Martyrs' fame; with Athelhampton stately home nearby and Clouds Hill, the home of Lawrence of Arabia, just a couple of miles south. Two miles south of this are two more famous attractions: Bovington Tank Museum and Monkey World.

As you can see you will need to book least three days or more to do your visit justice and for that you will be awarded the grand discount of £4 a day!

BROWNSEA ISLAND THE ADVENTURE STARTED HERE…

CELEBRATING THE BIRTHPLACE OF SCOUTING 1907 – 2007

In 1907 Robert Baden Powell brought a group of 20 boys across to Brownsea Island for an experimental camp. The camp was a huge success and the Scouting Movement was born. There are now 28 million scouts worldwide across 216 countries. 2007 sees the centenary of that first camp and the Scout Association are planning a series of celebrations and events throughout the year across the world. The climax of the celebrations will be the Sunrise Ceremony on the 1st August 2007 on Brownsea Island, with the world’s media present. We are expecting a big response to the centenary on Brownsea Island throughout the Scouting world and beyond and are very excited about it – this will tell you a little more about what is planned on the island through the year. Events Scouting 2007 The Scouts Association are planning a series of camps on the island during the ‘centenary period’ from 26th July – 4th August 2007. More information on these camps can be found at www.scouting2007. org/brownsea. These include two replica camps, which will probably be of most interest to day visitors, replicating the original camp of 1907. The headline event during this period will be the Sunrise Camp (30th July – 1st August) when two scouts from every scouting country in the world will join a camp ‘aiming to build peace between countries’. This will reach a crescendo on 1st August with the Sunrise Ceremony linked in with scouts around the world watching the sunrise on ‘their new centenary’. This is likely to generate much media interest from all over the world, although the exact impact is difficult to predict. Please note that the island will be closed to the public on Wednesday 1st August for these celebrations. The National Trust We are not directly organising the events for scouts but have obviously been involved in the planning. We are, however, planning a series of events to celebrate the centenary and are encouraging people to visit throughout the year rather than just the centenary period. Our events are aimed at ‘normal’ visitors (i.e. individuals and families) to help them understand the importance of the centenary and find out more about Scouting and Guiding. There is no extra charge for any of these events (normal admission prices apply). These events are: The Birthplace of Scouting Guided Walk – every Friday pm (TBC) Sat 28 and Sun 29 April – 100 Years of Scouting Family Activity Weekend Fri 25 – Mon 28 May – Centenary Flower Festival in St Mary’s Church Sat 30 Jun and Sun 1 July – 100 Years of Scouting Family Activity Weekend Sat 15 and Sun 16 September – 100 Years of Scouting Family Activity Weekend Activities To celebrate the centenary there will also be a number of new facilities for visitors to help them appreciate this part of the island’s history available everyday throughout the year: A Scout heritage interpretation trail leading visitors to the campsite A small heritage centre in the new campsite building A self-guided trail leaflet specifically on the Scouting and Guiding history (20p) Scouting related activities in the Visitor Centre for children There are many activities that groups can choose to book for their visit and all of this information is on their booking pack. Opening times / Admission: Brownsea Island is open to visitors: 24th March – 28th October 2007 everyday from 10am (except 1st August) The admission for entry onto the island in 2007 is as follows: Adult £4.70 Child £2.30 Family (2 adults + up to 3 children) £11.70 Family (1 adult + up to 3 children) £7.00 There is a reduction for pre-booked groups of more than 15 people Ferries depart for Brownsea Island from the following locations: Poole Quay – every half hour from 10am (operators – Greenslades Pleasure Boats 01202 631828 and Brownsea Island Ferries Ltd 01929 462383) Sandbanks (at the end of the peninsular) – every half hour from 10am (operators – Brownsea Island Ferries Ltd 01929 462383) Bournemouth Pier and Swanage Pier (please check times with operators – Dorset Belles 01202 558550) To ensure fair access to all visitors and groups throughout the year, the numbers of group visitors each day will be restricted to 750 so if you get any interest from groups please advise them to book early to avoid disappointment. Camping and Accommodation for Young People The campsite is approximately 50 acres to the south-west of the island and can accommodate a maximum of 250 campers over 6-8 sites. Building work has started on a new camp building that will offer toilet, shower and washing up facilities as well as a classroom, small Scout and Guide heritage centre and the Trading Post (souvenir shop). The campsite is open from 24 March – 30 September. South Shore Lodge is a Victorian cottage adapted to provide hostel style accommodation. It can accommodate a maximum of 24 in bunk beds in five rooms. There are two dining/activity rooms, a fully equipped kitchen and two private toilet/shower blocks. A private garden provides access to the shore. South Shore Lodge’s opening times are as the island. Please note that the camping and accommodation on the island is available to organised groups of young people only – it is not a public facility. Contacts The National Trust Brownsea Island Poole BH13 7EE Telephone: 01202 707744 Email: brownseaisland@nationaltrust.org.uk Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea Did you know? Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, was recently voted the 13th most influential person of the 20th century Famous former scouts include Paul McCartney, Billy Connolly, Stephen Spielberg and David Beckham Each day 100,000 people in the UK take part in scouting activities The Scout Association is a registered charity; it is a non-profit organisation

Don't forget to book early for the Great Dorset Steam Fair, [now the greatest in the world!] this year slated from Wednesday 29/08/07 to Sunday 02/09/07 [ring (01305) 848530 for further details]