AN island that inspired Enid Blyton is reopening to the public for the first time in four months.
Brownsea Island is off the coast of Poole, and owned by the National Trust.
Brownsea Island is reopening to the public next month[/caption]
No one lives on the island but 100,000 visit a year[/caption]
Closing every year for the winter, the island is opening to the public again next month.
From March 15, tourists will be able to travel to the island which is a bird-watching haven for enthusiasts as well as being a site know for its red squirrel population.
There are also guided tours of the island, running twice a day, or shuttles that go around the island.
Secrets caves, play parks, a bookshop and a cafe are all on the island to explore as well.
While no-one lives on the island, as many as 100,000 people visit a year.
It is even thought to have inspired some of the Famous Five books, written by Enid Blyton.
The book Five Have a Mystery to Solve featured a place called Whispering Island, thought to be Brownsea after Enid visited.
Also on the island is Brownsea Castle, built by Henry VIII between 1545 and 1547.
It has been run by by John Lewis Partnership since 1963 and is currently only open for employees, as well as their friends and family.
Last summer, it was suggested that the hotel could open for events like weddings and even for overnight stays.
This would be during quieter periods outside of the summer holidays, with up to 20 events a year.
A spokesperson told BBC: “Brownsea Castle is a beautiful, picturesque setting, available for our partners to enjoy.
“We’re exploring options for a small number of people outside our partnership to enjoy the benefits of the scenic location to celebrate their special occasions, such as weddings.”
You could soon stay at the island’s castle, currently owned by John Lewis[/caption]
The hotel is open from the end of January until the week before Christmas.
Until then, you can stay on the island by camping at the Brownsea Island campsite, with prices from £64 for two nights.
While that’s for a basic pitch, you can also splash out on a glamping pod or even a hanging tree tent, some of which have sea views.
Brownsea Island is just a 20 minute boat ride away from Poole Harbour which runs every half an hour in the peak season.
Tickets cost around £13 for the ferry, and non-National Trust adults need to pay an extra £9.50 entrance fee for the island.
Here are five other islands off the coast of the UK you can visit without needing your passport.
And a tiny island you won’t have heard of has the UK’s best beach.
It is owned by National Trust so members can visit for free[/caption]
