As an island in the middle of Poole Harbour in Dorset, when it comes to bathing on Brownsea Island, it’s mainly in the sea but now there’s an opportunity to do forest bathing in the woods!
On selected Sundays during July and September 2025, the National Trust is running a number of forest bathing sessions, as well as a separate series of yoga and meditation sessions, inviting people to slow down, breathe deeply, and immerse themselves in the island’s natural beauty.
Chill out and experience forest bathing on Brownsea
Foster a deep sense of calm
Forest bathing is a Japanese-inspired practice known as shinrin-yoku. The organisers say this isn’t a hike or a workout, but a chance to reconnect with nature with participants encouraged to notice the textures of bark, the scent of pine, and the play of light through the canopy.
The three and a half hour forest bathing sessions are intended to be a slow meditative journey through the woods designed to awaken the senses and foster a deep sense of calm.
The morning yoga and meditation sessions are suitable for all levels and focus on relaxation, breathwork, and mindful movement.
Brownsea is an island paradise in the middle of Poole Harbour
“The sound of the sea”
Rachel Lamb, partnership and projects officer for the National Trust at Brownsea Island, said:
“Whether you’re experienced in yoga or simply curious about mindfulness in nature, these events are designed to leave you feeling refreshed, grounded, and inspired. Imagine rolling out your yoga mat under a tree canopy, with the sound of the sea in the background.
“As you move through gentle yoga postures, guided by an experienced instructor, the stresses of daily life begin to melt away.”
Watch the light through the tree canopy
Forest bathing experience 2025
- Sunday 6th July 10 am to 1.30 pm
- Sunday 20th July 10 am to 1.30 pm
- Sunday 14th September 10 am to 1.30 pm
- Sunday 28th September 10 am to 1.30 pm
Yoga and meditation experience 2025
- Sunday 13th July 10 am to 1.30 pm
- Sunday 27th July 10 am to 1.30 pm
- Sunday 7th September 10 am to 1.30 pm
- Sunday 21st September 10 am to 1.30 pm
Yoga to the soundtrack of the sea
“Pause, reflect, and reconnect”
Rachel added:
“These events are an invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect with yourself and with the natural world.
“And where better to do that than on a beautiful island where red squirrels dart through the trees and the sea laps gently at the shore?”
The cost of the forest bathing experience is £60 and the yoga and mediation experience is £55. The prices include the return boat trip to Brownsea, entry to the island, and brunch.
The impressive new building on Brownsea is an experience in itself with views across Poole Harbour
Visit The Lookout
There’s a whole programme of events on Brownsea Island organised throughout the summer, autumn and winter 2025, from open air theatre and fungi walks to bushcraft taster sessions.
This is in addition to enjoying a walk around the island and a visit to the new bird watching building called The Lookout run by the Dorset Wildlife Trust. From The Lookout there are amazing views of the lagoon and of the wildlife in Poole Harbour.
From Brownsea, which is part of Studland parish, you can see the Studland penisula and Old Harry rocks
Sandbanks jetty decision pending
To get to Brownsea Island in 2025, all access is via a ferry from Poole Quay. Boats still can’t currently travel from Sandbanks to Brownsea as the jetty collapsed in 2024 and planning permission still hasn’t been granted to replace it, despite it being the easiest way for Purbeck residents to get there.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s western planning committee is due to decide on whether to allow the National Trust to rebuild the jetty at Sandbanks at its meeting on Monday 30th June 2025 from 10 am.
