Poole travel guide

Poole, United Kingdom

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

Poole

Introduction

Poole is a coastal town and seaport on the south coast of England, in Dorset. It sits on the south coast within the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole unitary authority area, and adjoins Bournemouth to the east. Along with Bournemouth and Christchurch it forms part of a larger built-up area along this stretch of the coast.

Use Poole as a base for exploring this part of Dorset: the town lies east of Dorchester, and its position next to Bournemouth makes it easy to move between the two.

Before you go

Poole is a coastal town in England with cross-Channel ferry services that connect to the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, as well as to the French port town of Saint-Malo in Brittany. If your plans include any of these destinations, it's worth checking ferry connections before you travel, since they shape how you might arrive or leave the town.

For practical information to help plan your trip, the Poole Tourism website is the place to look before you go.

Getting there

Poole is well connected to London by rail, with services from London Waterloo taking around two and a half hours and running roughly twice an hour for most of the day. The trains are frequent and convenient, though fares tend to be expensive, so it pays to book carefully in advance. Coach services are another option, with departures between Poole bus station and London Victoria about once an hour via Bournemouth, and coaches also running to Heathrow Airport.

By road, approach from the east along the M27 until it becomes the A31, continuing past Ringwood and following signs for Poole; from the west, the A35 brings you in. Regular buses on the More branded service connect Poole with Southampton, Dorchester and Salisbury. If you're arriving from further afield, daily ferry services leave Poole Harbour for Cherbourg in France and for Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands.

Getting around

Poole is compact and easy to cover on foot: the High Street is mostly pedestrianised, and the Dolphin Shopping Centre, the High Street and Poole Quay all sit within walking distance of one another, as do the parks and waterfront. The High Street and Quay are on one level with kerbs designed for the visually impaired, the Dolphin Shopping Centre has lifts and ramps, and both stations are a level walk from the shopping centre; a Shopmobility scheme hires out wheelchairs by the day.

For anything further out, buses are the main option. Morebus runs the "More" branded services along the Poole–Parkstone–Westbourne–Bournemouth–Christchurch corridor and to Broadstone, Wimborne, Wareham and Swanage, using low-floor, easy-access buses; its Route One links Poole Quay, Poole Park and the Dolphin Shopping Centre Monday to Saturday, and bus passes are accepted. A Getting About day ticket, bought from the driver of the first bus you board, covers most services across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and is valid on all the main operators, while Dayrider and Nightrider tickets offer hop-on, hop-off and evening travel. There is no metro or tram network, so public transport means buses and trains; local taxi and private hire firms range from large to small. Cycling is appealing thanks to largely flat terrain, a growing network of cycle routes with bicycles for hire, and National Cycle Network Route 25 to Bournemouth. To cross to the Purbecks, the Sandbanks–Studland chain ferry takes vehicles, foot passengers and cyclists, running about every 20 minutes through the day.

Where to stay

Most of Poole's hotels and guesthouses cluster in the town centre, putting you within easy reach of the quay and the shops. Among them you'll find the Hotel du Vin on Thames Street by The Quay, and the Holiday Inn Express on Walking Field Lane. A short way out, the Harbour Heights Hotel on Haven Road offers panoramic outlooks over Poole Harbour and beyond, while the Haven Hotel sits at the tip of the Sandbanks peninsula, right where the harbour meets the sea.

For something a little different, the RNLI College on West Quay Road provides comfortable accommodation in the building used to train the volunteers who man lifeboats around the coast, and the profits from your stay help support the charity. If you're travelling on a tighter budget or want to be closer to the outdoors, look to the neighbouring towns: there's a youth hostel in Swanage, and camping sites at Swanage and Merley.

Food & drink

Most of Poole's restaurants cluster along the quay, but it's worth venturing into the Old Town for a wider choice. On High Street you'll find Storm, which serves market-fresh fish and seafood on rustic wooden tables and also runs cooking courses, and the long-established Tandoori Nights, a curry house that gets busy on Friday and Saturday nights. The Courtyard Tea Rooms are also on High Street. Overlooking the Guildhall, The Guildhall Tavern offers classic French cuisine and signature seafood dishes in a simple, nautical-themed dining room, while Isan Thai on Parkstone Road covers Thai cooking at lunch and dinner.

Out towards Branksome Chine, Branksome Beach has a restaurant on the ground floor and a cafe above, looking out over Poole Bay; the adjoining car park fills up with beach-goers in summer, so it's easier to park a few minutes away and walk down. For a drink, there are plenty of pubs along the quay and a little inland, and in the Lower Parkstone district to the west you'll find The Bermuda Triangle, a wackily decorated pub with ever-changing real ales.

What to see and do

Start with Brownsea Island, reached by ferry from Poole Quay or Sandbanks. It's a National Trust site known for its large red squirrels and as the birthplace of the Scout Movement; the animals are tame enough to wander up to you. Note that the boat fare doesn't cover admission to the island. Back on the mainland, Kingston Lacy near Wimborne Minster is a large house and estate donated to the National Trust, holding paintings, furniture and Egyptian artefacts collected over three centuries. In town, Poole Museum on High Street in the Old Town covers local maritime history and is free, though you should book ahead. Upton Country Park has woodland footpaths and birdwatching spots overlooking Holes Bay, plus tea rooms by Upton House. Lighthouse is Poole's centre for the arts.

When to go

Poole has a temperate south-coast climate, with modest swings between the seasons and rainfall well below the UK average, so you can plan a visit at most times of year without expecting extremes. July and August are the warmest stretch, when the sea reaches its warmest and the weather suits beach and water activities; this is the time to build your trip around the shore.

January and February are the coolest months, and the sea is at its coldest, so swimming is for the hardy and visits centre on indoor or wrapped-up outings. If you prefer mild conditions and lower rainfall, aim for the milder months outside these two peaks.

Three days in Poole

Day one: Start in Poole itself, getting your bearings along the High Street and the Dolphin Shopping Centre before wandering down to Poole Quay. From the quay you can take in Poole Harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in the world, and watch the ferries and boats coming and going. If you want to range a little further, Bournemouth and Christchurch are close by along the coast, and Dorchester sits inland in Dorset for a quieter afternoon.

Day two: Use Poole as your base for the water. Ferries from Poole Harbour run to the Channel Islands, including Jersey and Guernsey, and across to Cherbourg in France; services also link to Saint Malo in Brittany. If a full crossing isn't for you, simply spend the day around the quay and harbour, watching the comings and goings of the boats.

Day three: Head inland or along the coast for a change of scene. Dorchester, Salisbury and Ringwood are all within reach of Poole, and Southampton is a straightforward trip if you want a bigger city for the day. Alternatively, stay local and enjoy the High Street and quay at a slower pace before you leave.

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