Poole Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Brownsea Castle which includes heritage architecture
Brownsea Castle which includes heritage architecture
Brownsea Castle which includes heritage architecture
Brownsea Island featuring a church or cathedral and heritage architecture
Compton Acres which includes a garden, a fountain and a statue or sculpture

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.

The Annual Holiday Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save.

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 showing heritage elements and 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
Poole : Poole Town Football Club Nobody is playing football here at the moment, but come Saturday Poole will be out on the pitch.

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
Evening Hill, Poole

Lilliput

When in Lilliput, you can plan a visit to Compton Acres and Branksome Chine 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$132 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
NZ$132
15 Mar - 16 Mar
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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
Amazing hotel can't wait to come back. Very posh. Breakfast fantastic. Friendly staff very helpful comfortable bed and room tea and coffee in room also nice touch ironing board iron hairdryer Dove soap and shampoo perfect stayed for 3 nights.

Reviewed on 8 Mar 2026

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$221 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
NZ$221
29 Mar - 30 Mar
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! (750 reviews)
We stayed at Hotel Du Vin in Poole as a treat for my birthday and were hoping for a special experience. The location is great and it was a nice touch that they left two small truffles chocolates in the room for my birthday. However, there were a few disappointing things. The bath still had cleaning ...

Reviewed on 6 Mar 2026

Hotel du Vin & Bistro Poole
Haven Hotel

Haven Hotel

4 out of 5
161 Banks Road Poole England
Stay at this beach hotel in Poole. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
Haven 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. ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (202 reviews)
Lovely house in a perfect location. Loved the sunset/sunrise and watching the Oystercatchers etc. Great to walk into Poole and also explore the local area. Got the ferry over to Studland and walked to old Harry Rocks. Plenty of places for walking and bird watching. Great host, really quick to respond ...

Reviewed on 16 Feb 2026

Stunning Waterside Cottage in Poole Harbour
The Harbour Lookout - Sleeps 14 in 5 bedrooms

The Harbour Lookout - Sleeps 14 in 5 bedrooms

Poole England
Stay at this holiday home in Poole. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Poole Harbour and Bournemouth Beach are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (40 reviews)
Good location, as described everything provided for an enjoyable stay Only criticism was certain things looked tired and needed updating. However pleasant stay

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2025

The Harbour Lookout - Sleeps 14 in 5 bedrooms
THE BOATHOUSE. The gateway to the Jurassic Coast

THE BOATHOUSE. The gateway to the Jurassic Coast

Poole England
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Poole. Enjoy a fitness centre, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Poole Harbour and Corfe Castle ...
THE BOATHOUSE. The gateway to the Jurassic Coast
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
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2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

Cities near Poole

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