What's here? at Arne
Available on site
Our car park is open daily, 8.30am-dusk.
61 spaces - 5 Blue Badge spaces.
We also have a 4 space car park further into the reserve, reserved for those with access needs; permit available from the Welcome Hut in main car park.
No height restriction barrier.
No overnight parking or camping.
Bicycle racks available.
Our accessible toilet is situated in the café/shop.
Our baby changing facilities, located in the shop, are open daily.
There are some wide, level pushchair-friendly paths with short routes at RSPB Arne.
You and the little ones can look for minibeasts in the woods, and take in the stunning views of the reserve.
Tramper all-terrain mobility scooters are available to hire for people with limited mobility and for a small fee and after a short training session you are able to explore agreed Tramper routes and visit other participating sites across the South West.
The tramper can be booked here or through Arne Events in our 'About' section. Please email tramperhirearne@rspb.org.uk to enquire or reserve
Our main toilets are situated in the café/shop. With an additional separate block located adjacent to the car park.
Our Welcome Hut is in our main car park amongst mature oak trees and berry rich hedgerows – perfect for wildlife!
It is open daily, 9.30am-4.30pm.
There is a large map of the reserve to help you get your bearings and a daily sightings board. Please follow all advice and signage in our Welcome Hut.
Card payments preferred.
Our café is open daily:
1 April - 31 October: 9.30am-4.30pm
1 November - 31 March: 9.30am-4pm
Our friendly team are able to provide allergen information.
Our shop is open daily, 9.30-4.30.
We have a year-round events programme with guided wildlife walks, family activities, and specialist walks to see our rarest species.
We offer bespoke ‘Hire a Guide’ walks for small groups, for up to 3 hours.
This can be booked here or through Arne Events in our 'About' section.
We have 2 hides and 2 viewing screens in total.
The Middlebere lookout and the outdoor viewing screens are wheelchair accessible.
Our reserve boasts 8 signposted trails of different lengths and abilities to help you explore this amazing landscape and the wildlife that calls it home.
We also have 2 Trampers (off-road mobility scooters) available to hire, please email tramperhirearne@rspb.org.uk to enquire or reserve.
The Easy Access Trail starts from the Accessible car park in the middle of the reserve, it is a 30-minute looped walk through a beautiful silver birch wood, ancient oak woodland and through our dragonfly ponds.
RSPB Arne are inviting schools across the county to visit our nature reserves to connect more young people to nature, and it’s FREE.
Bring your classroom outside and explore the reserves through the delivery of our engaging and fun outdoor sessions.
Through the Countryside Stewardship scheme, we can provide a limited number of fully funded, free sessions. Contact us for details of our offer for schools: arne@rspb.org.uk.
We don’t have a designated picnic area here, but you are welcome to bring a picnic with you to enjoy on your visit.
Help keep this place safe and special for wildlife and people by taking your litter home with you.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
Not available on site
BBQ's are prohibited.
Restrictions
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. 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.
Sorry, dogs aren’t permitted in the visitor centre, shop or café other than assistance dogs. Dog water bowls and shaded tie-up area are available at the shop and near the welcome area.
Dogs die in hot cars, please do not leave your dog in the car when visiting us.