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
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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
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
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$143 per night from 12 Oct to 13 Oct
NZ$143
12 Oct - 13 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Poole. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Lovely stay
"I CAN HONESTLY SAY OUR STAY COULD NOT HAVE GONE BETTER. THE STAFF WAS FIRST CLASS ALONG WITH FAULTLESS FOR CLEANLINESS AND COMFORT"

Reviewed on 8 Sept 2025

Holiday Inn Express Poole by IHG
Sandbanks Hotel

Sandbanks Hotel

4 out of 5
15 Banks Road, Sandbanks, Poole, England
The price is NZ$185 per night from 5 Oct to 6 Oct
NZ$185
5 Oct - 6 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Poole. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.8/10 Good! (840 reviews)
"Loved location. Shame one of windows was damaged and meant visibility was compromised. No aircon in this room. Only one restaurant ( Italian) with same menu for evening meal."

Reviewed on 8 Sept 2025

Sandbanks Hotel
Haven Hotel

Haven Hotel

4 out of 5
161 Banks Road, Poole, England
The price is NZ$237 per night from 1 Oct to 2 Oct
NZ$237
1 Oct - 2 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Poole. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
Overall, more good than bad.
"Nice hotel with great facilities. Outdoor pool is warm and sauna / steam rooms were decent. However, I expected more of a view from a 'premium room' (picture attached). Annoyingly, the leisure centre (roof in picture) made an annoying humming throughout the night. Check-in was probably the fastest ..."

Reviewed on 8 Sept 2025

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.
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 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

2 bedroom accommodation in Holton Heath
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
Sandbanks Holiday Home Poole  5 minutes walk to the  Beach
Sleeps 8/9

Sandbanks Holiday Home Poole 5 minutes walk to the Beach Sleeps 8/9

Sandbanks
Stay at this vacation home in Poole. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Poole Harbour and Sandbanks Beach are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (46 reviews)
"Lovely property in a great location"

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

Sandbanks Holiday Home Poole 5 minutes walk to the Beach Sleeps 8/9
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