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, 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
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$145 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
NZ$145
23 Nov - 24 Nov
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! (1,001 reviews)
I was in room 307, which was great. Ensuite was lovely and clean. TV in room was good and WiFi was great. Car Park was large but not free. Breakfast was included in price of room, I had a cooked breakfast - the scrambled egg was very grainy (not pleasant). I also had a chirizo and chicken panini ...

Reviewed on 4 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$219 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
NZ$219
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Poole. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (709 reviews)
room was amazing bed was so comfortable

Reviewed on 3 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$239 per night from 20 Nov to 21 Nov
NZ$239
20 Nov - 21 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Poole. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (472 reviews)
Lovely staff at this beautiful hotel. Amazing views. Excellent breakfast too.

Reviewed on 2 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.
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
Modern apartment on Sandbanks Peninsula, with private garden. (pet friendly)

Modern apartment on Sandbanks Peninsula, with private garden. (pet friendly)

Poole
Book a stay at this family-friendly apartment in Poole. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and a garden. Popular attractions Poole Harbour and Sandbanks Beach are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (38 reviews)
Lovely flat, very comfortable and spacious. It’s perfectly located for morning beach walks with the dog and also a good base for exploring the wider area. Communication with host Stephen was great - he was very helpful.

Reviewed on 27 Oct 2025

Modern apartment on Sandbanks Peninsula, with private garden. (pet friendly)
2 Luxury Houses - HOT TUB - 24ppl - Near Sandbanks

2 Luxury Houses - HOT TUB - 24ppl - Near Sandbanks

Poole
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Poole. Enjoy a water park, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Poole Harbour and Sandbanks ...
2 Luxury Houses - HOT TUB - 24ppl - Near Sandbanks
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
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1 - Terrible 0%

Cities near Poole