10 Best Things to Do in Poole, Dorset

Poole Harbour is undoubtedly the biggest attraction in town. This impressively large natural harbour was once one of the most important seaports for trading in Europe. While trade has declined, the port is still busy, and ferries run between here and Cherbourg in France.

The Harbour is home to numerous islands, the largest being Brownsea. In the summer the waters turn a beautiful shade of blue more commonly found in southern Europe than off the coast of England. Poole Harbour is an excellent spot for windsurfing, and there are many other water sports on offer for thrill-seekers including sailing, kayaking and wakeboarding. It’s also possible to go scuba diving and snorkelling.

Accessible only by boat, Brownsea Island is the largest island in Poole Harbour and a magnet for visitors during the summer months. The scenery on the island is stunning, from rugged rocky beaches to the dramatic Brownsea Castle, which was built by Henry VIII with the aim of protecting Poole Harbour.

Owned by the National Trust, the island is a fantastic place to explore and a great way to do so is by going on a guided walking tour. This is also an interesting way to learn about the history of the island, which was the founding place of the Scout movement.

The Old Town is a charming area of Poole, full of cobbled streets and impressive architecture. Pass by merchant terraced houses and be sure to stop by the impressive Guildhall on Market Street.

This area, located a short walk from the Quayside and Harbour, is also home to several excellent restaurants. The Crown Hotel serves fine-dining fare at affordable prices, while the bistro at the Hotel du Vin is the place to go for seasonal French cuisine.

A few minutes walk away from Poole Harbour, the Quayside offers perhaps the chicest part of Poole. There are plenty of high-quality restaurants in this area as well as traditional pubs, and also the oldest Italian restaurant in Poole, La Lupa. They serve excellent pizza in the classic Neapolitan style.

The Quayside is a great place to shop away from the high street where you can find several independent shops offering, to give but one example, contemporary works of art.

Sandbanks Beach is considered to be one of Britain’s prettiest beaches, winning the Blue Flag every year for over 3 decades. The soft yellow sand and the beautiful views out over the swimmable blue water make for an excellent summer’s day out.

There is a play area for children and designated sections of the beach, especially for dogs and barbecues. There is also a water sports area for those wishing to try surfing or kayaking (rentals are available) and there's also a popular crazy golf site.

Hamworthy Park is a beautiful open space just across the water from Poole Harbour. The area was previously an Iron Age fort founded by the Romans as a base for invasion. Travelling just outside of the centre is well worth it for this charming park, loved by locals.

The best time to visit Hamworthy Park, which joins onto Hamworthy beach, is sunset. The park’s vibe is distinctly seaside-esque, with vintage beach huts dotted along the front.

Compton Acres is an absolute must for garden enthusiasts visiting Poole. The grounds contain several beautifully kept gardens, each with a different theme. There is an Italian-style garden as well as a beautiful Japanese garden, which was designed by a Japanese architect.

With an onsite café, bakery and head chef there’s no reason not to spend the whole day wandering around this lush, tranquil paradise and staying just a little longer for a bite to eat.

Upton Country Park is a haven away from the town. It houses Upton Country House, a Georgian Mansion open to the public on certain days (be sure to check!). Well-informed volunteers give guided tours of the house.

For the more outdoorsy type, the surrounding parkland offers plenty to do. There are trails for walks and cycling, including some that go along the shoreline. One trail, in particular, is designed for children and the Walled Garden is an excellent place to relax and enjoy a picnic.

Tower Park is a multi-venue entertainment complex and one of those places for the rainy days that English weather seems to bring around. Offering all manner of entertainment in one location, it would be easy to spend the whole day here with your family and still not have done everything.

There are a water park, cinema and bowling alley to keep yourself entertained, as well as a bingo hall popular with locals. And for afterwards, there are plenty of high-quality chain restaurants onsite – you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Farmer Palmers Farm Park is a firm favourite with families and those visiting with children. Young ones will be delighted to pet the animals, and there are also other animal-based activities and regular events throughout the year.

Getting lost in the maize maze is a fun way to spend an afternoon and there are also trails for those who want to explore the picturesque wider area.