In the heart of Poole Harbour, opposite the town of Poole in Dorset, lies Brownsea Island. The Brownsea is wholly owned by the National Trust, and may be visited by the public. All of the Brownsea is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and northern end is leased to the Dorset Wildlife Trust as a Nature Reserve. Photo by: pixel_boy

Brownsea is a place of many habitats, and is home to a wealth of wildlife and plants. It contains saltmarsh, reed beds, freshwater lakes, heathland, peaceful pinewoods, and a brackish lagoon. It is one of the last heavens of the indigenous red squirrel – probably due to having no competition from the grey variety – and there are many non-native sika deer and rabbits. The island has wonderful birds in summer and avocets in winter. Photo by: danny george

You should know: In 2007 the Sunrise Camp, brought together 310 young people from 155 countries to celebrate the Scouts‘ 100th anniversary. At the exact moment that Scouting had begun 100 years previously, every Scout in the world, all 28 million of them renewed their Scouting promise. Photo by: martin97uk