BROWNSEA Island is set to reopen to pre-booked visitors on Thursday.

Furthermore, a new natural play area has been unveiled to give visitors the chance to “follow the footsteps of the squirrels”.

The woodland playground replaces the old natural play area in a new location to help with regeneration of the land.

It includes a range of play equipment made from natural resources and is designed so that children can try their hand at some of the balancing, climbing and jumping that the island’s resident red squirrels can often be seen doing.

It includes balancing beams, see-saws, climbing frames, obstacle courses and den-building.

Visitor experience and volunteering manager Olivia Gruitt said: “It’s fantastic to be welcoming back visitors to the island, to ensure social distancing can be safely carried out, everyone visiting must book both their ferry ticket and admission pass in advance the day before you intend visiting.

“The island is a hive of activity with insects buzzing, the heather in bloom and woodland wildlife to be spotted. We're really keen to share all this activity with visitors once again.

“We’re really excited to be able to share the new natural play area with visitors. We’re inviting children to swing and soar like a squirrel – get outdoors and have a real adventure in the woods.”

Tickets to the island must be booked in conjunction with a ferry ticket and by 3pm the day before.

said Visitor Experience and Volunteering Manager Olivia Gruitt,

More information is available at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island