Arne Nature Reserve
This beautiful coastal nature reserve is located near Wareham in Dorset. There are miles of footpaths to follow through woodland, heathland and countryside to the stunning coastline. Here you can enjoy fabulous views of the islands in Poole Harbour and look out for a wide variety of coastal birdlife. Visitors include wading birds, ducks, avocets, black-tailed godwits, curlew and brent geese. Ospreys are regularly seen on migration in late summer and in autumn.
With 1,392 acres to explore you can spend most of the day at the reserve. The area also has a large herd of Sika Deer which are usually seen in the fields but are often near the waters edge too.
There's a friendly visitor centre next to the car park where you can learn all about the reserve.
If you would like to continue your walk then the Purbeck Way runs through nearby Wareham. Here you can also enjoy a lovely waterside stroll along the River Frome. The Blue Pool is also nearby so you could continue your outing at this lovely turquoise lake and nature reserve.
Just to the south you will find Hartland Moor Nature Reserve with Middlebere Heath and Middlebere Lake. There's more nice walking trails and a number of bird hides to make use of here.
Postcode
BH20 5BJ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Arne Nature Reserve Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Arne Nature Reserve Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Arne Nature Reserve OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Arne Nature Reserve Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The reserve includes an on site shop and cafe where you can enjoy a range of snacks and meals. The shop stocks bird food, bird care, books and gifts. You can also pick up a pair of binoculars here before you go off to view the wildlife.
Dog Walking
The reserve is an excellent place for a dog walk with its woodland paths and beaches. Please keep them on leads because of the resident deer and other wildlife. You can also find water bowls at the cafe.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
The reserve on a stunning autumn day in 2006. View across the salt marshes with deer grazing
Viewpoint on the RSPB Arne reserve. Looking across Poole Harbour with Round Island on the right and Long Island on the left. Note the stunning heather as viewed in August 2009
Boardwalk on the nature trail
Sika Deer. The deer came out of the bracken right in front of the hide.
Here dense woodland gives way to a more open heathland landscape with birch and pine.
The herd of Sika deer at Arne are wild but are used to visitors
St. Nicholas Church. This noteworthy Saxon church has a congregation with a deep love and sympathy for the natural world that surrounds them. They were recently awarded a Silver Gilt Award for the quality of wild flowers in Churchyard.
The view down the steps leading up to the viewpoint on the heath near Shipstal Point looking over Poole Harbour