Arne

In line with Government guidance on essential, daily exercise outdoors, our car park, trails and toilets are open through lockdown. Our hides and shop are closed, however our café is open for takeaway refreshments. We are not running events. See full details below for more information. When visiting us please observe current guidance around social distancing, group sizes, hygiene and follow all signage on-site. We urge you to follow Government guidance on non-essential travel and please stay local to your nearest reserves and green spaces. Unless exempt, all those who can, must please wear a face covering inside our toilets. See our dedicated Covid-19 updates page for the latest safety information (link below).

Address: RSPB Arne, Arne Rd, Wareham BH20 5BJ, UK

Grid ref: SY971876

See our reserves Covid-19 updates page for which sites are open and other important details.

Arne remains one of the few places in the UK where all six of the UK's native reptiles can be found. Situated on Poole Harbour and within the Dorset Area of Natural Beauty, it's a stunning landscape which consists of dramatic open heathland and ancient oak woodland.

Plan your visit

Reserve and car park: open daily from 9.30am to dusk (October - March).

Welcome area: open during lockdown, daily 9.30 – 4pm.

Trails: open during lockdown, daily 9.30am-dusk. Closed outside of these hours.

Toilets: open during lockdown, daily 10am-4pm. Closed outside of these hours.

Café: takeaway service only, 10am–4pm

Shop: closed during lockdown.

Hides: closed during lockdown. Viewing screens open.

Festive opening times:
Christmas Day & Boxing Day reserve open dawn-dusk, visitor centre, shop and café are closed.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free

Children: Free

Car park cost

There are no entrance charges to the reserve, but the following car parking charges apply:

RSPB members: FREE (please display your membership card face down in your windscreen)
Non-members: £5 per car
Coach and minibus: £15 per vehicle

Facilities

Visitor centre is closed
Car park
Toilets
Accessible toilets
Baby changing is closed
Pushchair friendly
Refreshments
Binocular hire is closed
Guided walks is closed
Viewing points are closed
Nature trails
Shop is closed
Educational facilities are closed
Play area is closed

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

Wareham is the closest station (4 miles / 6.5 km from reserve). You can catch the bus from the train station (see 'by bus' for more details).

By bus

The Purbeck Breezer number 40 stops at Stoborough Green, from the bus stop it is 3 miles to Arne. Head along New Road for 0.4 miles, then turn right onto Arne Road.

By bike

The reserve is accessible by bike (please use ‘by road’ directions). We have bike racks in the main car park and by the cafe. The bridleway, which leads to Shipstal beach, is also accessible by bike.

By road

From Wareham town centre, head south over the causeway to Stoborough. Travel through Stoborough, turn left onto New Road, signposted for Arne. Turn right at the cross roads in the village of Ridge, follow the road for approximately 3 miles to Arne, the car park is located on the right at the beginning of Arne village.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

The Purbeck Cycleway passes within 1.5 miles / 2km of the car park.

Get directions from Google Maps

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Dogs on a lead are welcome on the designated dog friendly trails on the reserve.

Please keep your dog on a short lead at all times due to the sensitive wildlife, habitats and livestock here.

If you require an ‘off-lead’ walk please see Dorset Council’s Dog walking areas: https://www.dorsetdogs.org.uk/out-about/ The nearest area to RSPB Arne is Bog Lane, near Stoborough.

The special surroundings at RSPB Arne are wonderful havens for rare wildlife so we’ve created designated dog-friendly routes for you and your pooch to enjoy. Even if dogs are very well behaved, wildlife and livestock can easily become startled by a loose dog they perceive as a predator. Disturbing wildlife does more than simply causing it to move away; it uses up their energy, decreasing their chance of survival regardless of season. Thank you for protecting the special wildlife here by keeping your dog on a lead.

Sorry, dogs are not permitted on the top Hyde’s Heath Trail, except assistance dogs due to the sensitive wildlife and habitats here.
Dogs are welcome on the dog-friendly trails on the rest of the reserve on a short lead.
Dog water bowls and shaded tie-up area are available at the shop and near the welcome area.
Sorry, dogs aren’t permitted in the visitor centre, shop or café other than assistance dogs.
Dogs die in hot cars, please do not leave your dog in the car when visiting us.

Small groups can ‘Hire-a-guide’ at RSPB Arne for a wonderful wildlife tour of the reserve! We tailor each walk to you and the wildlife you want to see. Great for small groups, wheelchair users, people with limited mobility, and anyone wanting an insight into the unique wildlife and history of Arne. Hire-a-guides must be booked at least 1 week in advance by emailing arne@rspb.org.uk. (Max. time 3 hours. Costs: £100 for up to 5 people, or £80 for RSPB members, plus usual reserve car park fees).

Please follow government guidelines for social distancing and visiting no more than groups of 6.

If you are thinking of running an activity, tour, or guided walk at RSPB Arne please enquire for our full terms, conditions and charges for commercial groups at RSPB Arne at arne@rspb.org.uk.

12 degrees, Sunny day

Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 194Kb

Arne trail guide

Arne visual guide. PDF, 194Kb

Arne visual guide

Contact Arne

RSPB Arne, Arne Rd, Wareham BH20 5BJ, UK
arne@rspb.org.uk
01929 553360
@rspbarne
Find us on facebook

What will you see?

Our star species

Spoonbill

A rarity ten years ago but now a regular species you could encounter at Arne. Poole Harbour hosts the largest flock in the UK with peak numbers in the autumn.

Dartford warbler

The real star bird of Arne! This species inspired the RSPB to look after Arne as a nature reserve and now it’s thriving. This resident warbler loves Gorse and on calm sunny days can be seen perching on the top singing or calling to defend its patch.

Nightjar

A crepuscular heathland specialist which is thriving at Arne. A dusk visit in summer should result in you listening to their ‘churring’ call before you can watch them swooping over the heath catching moths and displaying to potential mates.

Nature spectacles

RSPB Arne is one of the best places to spot the Dartford warbler, especially during Spring when they will be busy nesting. See if you can spot them on the heath as they flit around the gorse, shouting at anything that gets too close to their territory (including you!) The nest cameras are also worth a look at this time of year. The hobby cam gives great views of this small but stunning bird of prey.

In summer the reptiles are out, Arne is one of the few places in the UK to host all six species of native reptile. On a warm day you could catch a glimpse of a sand lizard basking in the sun, or a slow worm slithering across the path. If you're at the reserve at dusk listen out for the peculiar call of the nightjar churring in the heath.

Autumn is rutting season for the sika deer at Arne, you can't miss the piercing call of the stags. Keep an eye to the sky too, osprey heading south will often call in at Arne to fish in the harbour and devour their catch on one of the osprey nesting posts on the reserve. In early Autumn the pond dwelling raft spider can be seen hunting on the surface of heathland ponds.

The wading birds really are spectacular in Winter, with internationally important numbers gathering in Poole Harbour, Arne gets large flocks of waders including avocets and an ever growing number of spoonbill, with up to 60 feeding on the reserve during the day.

In spring, the air is filled with birdsong as they compete to establish territories and attract a mate. Stonechats make their clacking call from the top of gorse and great spotted woodpeckers hammer the tall pines. Cuckoos, chiff chaff, wheater and Dartford warbler amongst many others set up home on the reserve.

In summer, look out for dragonflies and damselflies flitting around, Arne is home to 22 different species! It's also a good place to spot the silver-studded blue butterfly, it tends to spend it's time around the wet heathland.

Autumn brings large movements of migrating birds, including osprey, heading south to a warmer climate, others seeking refuge in the UK from the cold Arctic winter. The sika deer rutting season peaks in October/November, a great chance to see the stags strut their stuff. There's a profusion of fungi in the woods and fields such as the colourful fly agaric.

In winter, look out for large flocks of waders including avocets, black-tailed godwits, and dunlin gathering to feed, or flying at dusk to form large roosts to keep warm. Raptors such as marsh harriers and hen harriers spend the winter at the reserve, and can be seen hunting during the day and then gathering to roost at dusk.

About Arne

Habitat

RSPB Arne is a patchwork of a huge array of habitats. Although the reserve is famous for it's dry and wet lowland heath you can also find ancient oak woodland, farmland, reedbed, mudflats, scrub, wet woodland, acid grassland and even sandy beaches. This mix of habitats surrounded by Poole Harbour is one of the reasons the reserve is home to such a huge variety of species.

Conservation

Arne protects an important area of lowland heath. This threatened habitat is home to many rare species of animal and plant. Other habitats on the reserve include woodland, salt marsh and reedbed. Poole Harbour, adjoining the reserve, holds internationally important populations of wintering waders and wildfowl, including the second largest population of avocets in the UK. The RSPB is actively managing all these habitats for the benefit of their wildlife and to help people enjoy the amazing spectacle.

We are working to maintain and enhance the heath for the benefit of birds such as Dartford warblers, woodlarks and nightjars, as well as other wildlife such as smooth snakes, heath tiger beetle, ladybird spider, Yellow Centaury (a rare heathland plant) silver-studded blue butterfly.

We manage using a range of specialist techniques to ensure a mosaic of micro-habitats across the heath, maintaining a balance of mixed-age heather and gorse, ensuring there is enough bare ground, managing invasive pine, rhododendron and bracken to keep the heathland open as it has been for millennia. Grazing forms an important part of how we look after this historic wildlife rich landscape and you may see some of our cattle, ponies or pigs.

The reserve attracts more than 100,000 visitors a year and contributes significantly to the local economy. We have improved the facilities in order to encourage a wider appreciation of the reserve and our work. We greet visitors to the reserve at the welcome hut, meeting our visitors face-to-face means we can share more about the work we do to make Arne a special place.

The shop and cafe, opened in March 2016, means visitors can satisfy their appetite after exploring the reserve, and make a purchase in the shop stocked with bird food, and nature friendly gifts, as well as binoculars and telescopes so you can get an even better view of the wildlife.

We also run a variety of events throughout the year, are constantly working to improve our nature trails and cater for educational groups on request. We work hard to ensure the support and involvement of the local community, and are supported by many local people who volunteer with us.

Site information

RSPB Arne covers more than 565 hectares of the Arne peninsular in the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. The RSPB first bought land here in 1965 to safeguard heathland species such as the smooth snake, sand lizard and Dartford warbler. In 1965 Arne was home to two pairs of Dartford warbler, 50 years later there are more than 70 pairs. RSPB Arne remains one of the few places in the UK where all six of the UK's native reptiles can be found. The reserve is a haven for wildlife and has many designations including SSSI, SPA and SAC status.

In 2017 the RSPB acquired Hyde's Heath, on the Arne peninsula, adding another 67 hectares to the reserve. This former pine plantation will be restored back to heathland over the coming years, providing more vital habitat for the heathland specialists that call Arne home.

Latest blog posts

Read our blog

What people are saying about Arne

Absolutely stunning - have been visiting near Swanage for over 30 years and never knew about Arne. The golden colours of autumn, glorious sunshine, clear blue skies, deer roaming freely, Poole Harbour in the distance. We enjoyed the 'long' walk and will return. Wonderful.

Richard Leach

We come back to this reserve every year, and it just gets better and better. There is so much to see at any time of the year. We have been here in every season and it never disappoints us. I haven't got a particular highlight as there has been so many, spoonbill in winter, dartford warblers in spring, nightjars in the summer, and all the rare migrants in the autumn.

Sally Chambers

I managed to push my mother around the reserve in a wheelchair, and although certain paths were not accessible, we managed to see a fair bit of the reserve. My mother used to walk in the New Forest everyday, and has missed getting out into the countryside. Arne gave her back that wonder and she was especially delighted when several deer came and stood next to us. A most peaceful and beautiful place.

Rachel Watling

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

At Arne, we have exciting events that run throughout the year, including weekends and school holidays. We have a low-ropes course for the whole family to enjoy. There are some wide, level pushchair-friendly paths with short routes, highchairs are available in the cafe, and there are baby changing facilities at the shop and cafe.

Leisure activities

Cycling: Route 2 of the National Cycle Network sets off from nearby Wareham town and travels along the peninsula, within 1/2 mile of Arne. At the Arne nature reserve car park there are cycle stands in the main car park and by the shop and cafe (adjacent to the car park). The cafe sells a range of refreshments to help you refuel after your bike ride. A bridleway through the site is an easy cycle and takes you past the RSPB's Arne farm, through oak woodland, heathland and down onto the beach at the edge of Poole Harbour. There are cycle stands here where you can leave your bike.

Marshside

Lytchett Fields

Arne

Arne