Poole is a coastal town and seaport inDorset, on the south coast ofEngland. Poole is a tourist resort, attracting visitors with its large natural harbour, history, the Lighthouse arts centre and Blue Flag beaches.
The town has cross-Channel freight and passenger ferry services, which connect with the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, as well as the French port town of Saint-Malo, Brittany.
50.719-1.9831Poole railway station is about 2½ hr fromLondon Waterloo with 2 trains per hour for most of the day. There are regular, quick and convenient trains on the South West Trains service, but rail fares are generally expensive, so be careful.
More branded buses coverlocal routes including the Poole-Parkstone-Westbourne-Bournemouth-Christchurch corridor, to Broadstone and Wimborne, and to Wareham and Swanage.
There are a number of local taxi and private hire firms, both large and small.
There's a growing network of cycle routes, with bicycles for hire.
50.69-1.9711Brownsea Island,Poole Harbour, BH13 7EE(by ferry from Poole Quay or Sandbanks),☏+44 1202 707744,brownseaisland@nationaltrust.org.uk.A National Trust site, famous for its large population of red squirrels, and as the birthplace of the Scout Movement. The animals on the island are very tame and will happily wander up to you. It can be reached by boat from the quay but note that the price of the boat trip does not include admittance to the island.Adult £7.90, child £3.95.
50.7362-2.0134Upton Country Park,Poole Road, BH17 7BJ.Oct-Mar: 8AM-6PM; Apr-Sep: 8AM-9PM.It has a surrounding woodland with many footpaths. It also has various birdwatching sites overlooking holes bay. By the main Upton House there are two tea rooms where one can enjoy tea and cake for around £3.free.(updated Jul 2015)
Kite flying. From the quay, when facing the water turn left and walk for about half a mile until you reach a park. This is known as Baiter Park and is very close to Poole Park. On a good day, the kites will probably be visible from afar.
In the summer, there are fireworks displays alternately in Bournemouth and Poole.
Every Tuesday evening from April to September, motorbike enthusiasts converge on Poole. Apparently there are sometimes as many as 1000 cycles and, of course, the pubs on the Quay do good business from them. A good opportunity to swap tales or see what everyone else is riding. All parking on the quay is reserved for motorbikes but there is a charge of £1 and a prize for the best bike.
50.71806-1.980181Westfield Dolphin Shopping Centre,110 Dolphin Centre, BH15 1SZ(adjacent to the bus station and 3 minutes walk from the railway station),☏+44 1202 673906.M-Sa 8:30AM-6PM, Su 10:30AM-5PM.A large indoor shopping centre with the usual high street brands including Boots, H&M, New Look, Next, Primark, River Island and Wilko, plus a restaurant and two cafes.(updated May 2025)
50.706651-1.9092453Branksome Beach,Branksome Beach Pinecliff Road Branksome Chine BH13 6LP(at the foot of Pinewood Road, looking out over Poole Bay),☏+44 1202 767235,enquiries@branksomebeach.co.uk.M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa Su 9:30AM-5PM.Restaurant on the ground floor and cafe on the first floor. The adjoining car park tends to get busy during the summer season with beach-goers, so it is advisable to park a few minutes away and walk down.(updated May 2020)
50.714336-1.9874754The Guildhall Tavern,15 Market Street BH15 1NB(overlooking the Guildhall),☏+44 1202 671717.Tu-Sa 11:30AM-10PM.Classic French cuisine and signature seafood dishes in simple, nautical-themed dining room.(updated May 2020)
There are many hotels and guesthouses in Poole, especially in the town centre. There are also camping sites in neighbouring towns such as Swanage and Merley. There is a Youth Hostel inSwanage.
50.71745-1.98911RNLI College,West Quay Road, BH15 1HZ.Comfortable accommodation in the building used for training volunteers to man the lifeboats around the coast. Profits from the accommodation help this national charity. Building tours are also available M-Sa 11AM and 2:30PM, but must be booked in advance on +44 1202 308 500. Riggers Restaurant has mains from £10.(updated Mar 2016)
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