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

Oakdale

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

Oakdale
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
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Lilliput

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

Lilliput
Quayside Quarters

Quayside Quarters

3 out of 5
25 Thames St, Poole, England
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Poole. Enjoy free WiFi, dry cleaning or laundry services, and minibars. Popular attractions Poole Harbour and Sandbanks Beach ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (60 reviews)
Perfect stay at the Harbour
"An excellent location and the directions provided by the host were spot on. In a beautiful peaceful location and a stones throw from the harbour front. Once inside the property we were not disappointed. Spotlessly clean and the welcome book included all the details we needed, not only about the accommodation ..."

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2025

Quayside Quarters
1 bedroom accommodation in Holton Heath

1 bedroom accommodation in Holton Heath

Holton Heath
Stay at this chalet in Poole. Popular attractions Poole Harbour and Corfe Castle 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

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

RENOVATED 5 BED HOUSE WITH HOT TUB + TABLE TENNIS

Poole
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Poole. Enjoy a water park, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Poole Harbour and Sandbanks Beach are ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (7 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
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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