Poole Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Brownsea Castle which includes heritage architecture
Brownsea Castle which includes heritage architecture
Brownsea Island featuring a church or cathedral and heritage architecture
Poole
Poole Harbour featuring a river or creek

Relax on one of Britain’s favourite beaches and amble along the coastal paths of this quaint town that has been inhabited since the Iron Age.

Pretty beaches, a natural harbour and rich history draw crowds to the charming town of Poole. Much of the activity revolves around the beach, where many cafés and restaurants face an elegant seaside promenade. Learn about Poole’s extensive history, from the Iron Age to D-Day landings.

Poole has a glorious array of Blue Flag beaches that are clean and suitable for kids. Visit Sandbanks Beach, which many consider one of Britain’s best. It lies next to the Sandbanks peninsula, with some of the country’s most expensive homes. Appreciate the gradual downward slope as you enter the cool sea. Lifeguards and first aid services are available in summer.

Poole Harbour is among Europe’s largest natural harbors. Romans landed here during their invasion almost 2,000 years ago. Today, participate in water sports, such as water skiing, wakeboarding and kite surfing.

Take the ferry to Brownsea Island to visit the wildlife sanctuary with red squirrels and deer. See a castle built by Henry VIII in the picturesque nature reserve.

Away from the beach and port, find Lighthouse, the cultural hub of the town. This modern structure hosts dramatic theatre performances and musical concerts. Attend one of the various shows, from circus acts to comedy routines. Enjoy a local meal in the building’s café.

To find out about Poole’s intriguing history, visit the Poole Museum. Explore its four floors of exhibits that will enlighten you about prehistoric settlements, pirates and Poole’s role in the Normandy invasion.

The town of Poole is located between Bournemouth and Dorchester on England’s southern coast. Take a bus southwest for 11 miles (18 kilometres) from Bournemouth Airport, a journey that should take around 40 minutes. The train from London to Poole takes roughly 2 hours.

Visit the historic town of Poole with immaculate beaches and activities for the entire family. The town is warm in summer with occasional heat waves, when the beaches are popular, and cold to mild in winter.

Where to stay in Poole

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Parkstone

Are you interested in stunning beaches, fantastic nightlife and luxurious spas? A visit to Parkstone might be the perfect thing. You can also explore top sights like Splashdown Waterpark and Tower Park.

Parkstone
Poole Museum featuring interior views

Poole Old Town

Visitors to Poole Old Town rave about its stunning beaches, fantastic nightlife and luxurious spas. You might also want to make some time to see Scaplen’s Court Museum or Poole Museum while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Poole Old Town

Oakdale

While Oakdale isn't home to many top sights, Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts and Poole Harbour are some notable places to visit nearby.

Oakdale
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Lilliput

When in Lilliput, you can plan a visit to Compton Acres and Sandbanks Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Lilliput
Holiday Inn Express Poole by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Poole by IHG

3 out of 5
Walking Field Lane Poole England
The price is NZ$175 per night from 30 Nov to 1 Dec
NZ$175
30 Nov - 1 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Poole. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Room and bathroom. Lean. Staff efficient and helpful.

Reviewed on 16 Nov 2025

Holiday Inn Express Poole by IHG
Hotel du Vin & Bistro Poole

Hotel du Vin & Bistro Poole

4 out of 5
Thames Street Poole England
The price is NZ$233 per night from 30 Nov to 1 Dec
NZ$233
30 Nov - 1 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Poole. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (713 reviews)
Comfortable rooms, great food. Parkings à nightmare

Reviewed on 13 Nov 2025

Hotel du Vin & Bistro Poole
Harbour Heights Hotel

Harbour Heights Hotel

4 out of 5
73 Haven Road, Sandbanks Poole England
The price is NZ$242 per night from 4 Dec to 5 Dec
NZ$242
4 Dec - 5 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Poole. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (474 reviews)
Nice location, room spacious but a little dated. Service ok but sometimes a little inconsistent. At breakfast they wanted to squeeze us in next a large group at the back of the restaurant rather than the obvious tables with the view of which there were several. Always offer your customer the worst ...

Reviewed on 20 Nov 2025

Harbour Heights Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Stunning Waterside Cottage in Poole Harbour

Stunning Waterside Cottage in Poole Harbour

Poole Dorset
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Poole. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (186 reviews)
Excellent

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2025

Stunning Waterside Cottage in Poole Harbour
2 bedroom accommodation in Holton Heath

2 bedroom accommodation in Holton Heath

Holton Heath
Stay at this chalet in Poole. Popular attractions Poole Harbour and The Courtyard Craft Centre are located nearby.
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
The lodge was spacious & well equipped. Think for us it’s a late check in > 4pm ( our lodge wasn’t ready by that time either) and an early check out @ 10 am. So realistically it’s only a 3 day stay. But a clean site.

Reviewed on 31 Aug 2025

2 bedroom accommodation in Holton Heath
RENOVATED 5 BED HOUSE WITH HOT TUB + TABLE TENNIS

RENOVATED 5 BED HOUSE WITH HOT TUB + TABLE TENNIS

Poole
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Poole. Enjoy a water park, a garden and patios. Popular attractions Poole Harbour and Bournemouth Beach are located ...
7.6/10 Good! (8 reviews)
Lovely place
Lovely, beueitiful, big place to stay ,very friendly and helpful hosts, I stayed there for a weekend with my friends to celebrate my 40th birthday and see San Fest festival, supposed to check out at 10am on Monday morning but the weather wasn't so great and we was leaving Bournemouth to London around ...

Reviewed on 25 July 2025

RENOVATED 5 BED HOUSE WITH HOT TUB + TABLE TENNIS
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Poole

3.7
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
1
5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
0
4 - Good 0%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 67%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

Cities near Poole