Venue Description

This is an unusual and special landscape where you can enjoy a vast expanse of open heathland and old oak woodland. Arne is a fantastic place for family walks at any time of year and they have regular children's days that enable all the family to learn about the unique nature of the heaths. There is a variety of special wildlife to see. In summer look out for Dartford warblers nesting in the heather, nightjars flying at dusk and as many as 22 species of colourful dragonflies. The reserve overlooks Poole Harbour where you can watch thousands of wading birds, ducks and geese including avocets, black-tailed godwits and brent geese in winter. Ospreys are regularly seen on migration in late summer and in autumn.

Accessibility

We have a Large Print Guide available for visitors, which has been produced by Heritage Ability. The Large Print product helps people with visual impairments who have some independence to access the site. It is for people with some sight, but who have difficulty with everyday activities, like reading and recognising faces, such as in the case of Macular Degeneration. There is also a Tramper (all-terrain mobility scooter) at the site, provided by the Countryside Mobility scheme. The Tramper helps people with a temporary or permanent mobility issue. It can be borrowed by people who can walk small distances for example, but could not manage the longer trails without becoming tired. Users do not have to be registered disabled to use it or have a Blue Badge.

Access Statement

Access Statement Link: https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/arne/

Awards List

Part of the Heritage Ability scheme, which is making visitor attractions across the South West more accessible for disabled people and British Sign Language (BSL) users.

Toilets

An accessible toilet is available in the shop and café building. There is no accessible toilets located in the car park.

Staff

The staff and volunteers have received Disability Awareness Training and Deaf Awareness Training through the Heritage Ability scheme.