Furzey Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Furzey Island |
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 Looking south-west from Brownsea Island - Furzey Island is centre, with Green Island directly behind, to the left |
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 Furzey Island
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| OS grid reference | SZ011870 |
| Civil parish |
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| Unitary authority |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | Dorset |
| Fire | Dorset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Furzey Island is a small island located in Poole Harbour in Dorset, England. It sits just south of the bigger Brownsea Island. From the water, Furzey Island looks like a wild place covered in pine trees.
But hidden among the trees are twenty-two oil wells. These wells are part of the Wytch Farm Oil Field. The oil travels through a pipeline to Hamble on Southampton Water. Sometimes, you might spot a tall oil rig, which is a key landmark in Southern Poole Harbour. Workers are on the well-sites all day, every day.
Furzey Island is part of the local area called Corfe Castle. This area is managed by the Dorset council.
Island History
Scientists believe Furzey Island was once part of a much larger island. About two thousand years ago, it might have been connected to Green Island. The name "Furzey" means "Furze island," referring to a type of thorny bush.
In February 2004, a TV show called Time Team explored Green Island. They found exciting clues about ancient times. They discovered an Iron Age furnace, which is like an old oven. This furnace was used to make shale jewellery.
Archaeologists think Green Island was a busy place for making and selling these items. Since not much shale jewellery has been found nearby, they believe it was sent to other parts of Europe. This suggests Green Island was once an important port for trade.
