Explore The 12 Best Things To Do In Poole, England

Dianne
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 4 min read
best things to do in poole uk

Located on the South coast of England, Poole is a popular tourist resort with a large natural harbor, Blue Flag beaches and plenty of interesting places to visit, whatever the British weather is like! From swimming in the beaches to enjoying some fun activities in farm park, Poole offers a lot of fun activities for any traveler. While setting your sights out for a memorable vacation here, there are also a couple of Airbnb vacation rentals in Poole and glamping spots on the Dorset Coast you can rent out to extend your stay and enjoyment. Read on to explore the best things to do in Poole, UK, and discover all it has to offer you.

Why Trust Trip101?


Over 50,000 articles reviewed and published by our experienced team

Over 50 years of combined experience researching, writing and reviewing travel articles

Over 40,000 hours spent on research and fact-checking from credible sources (last year’s data)

Optimizing content from data-driven insights collected directly from users on our platform

Focus on authentic and up-to-date information by collaborating with local guides, global travelers and other industry experts

Long-standing partnerships with credible brands like Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Viator, RVShare and more

Full disclosure on any partnerships or sponsored content

Trip101’s team of writers, editors, and content managers oversees the publication of all travel content, including destination guides, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips. They have extensive experience in the travel industry and no content, written or visual, gets published without a review. Many of our team’s work has also been featured in Travel+Leisure, National Today, The Indian Express, The Telegraph (India), Robb Report, The Adventure Handbook, Tripoto, Korea Tourism Organization, and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Some of them are also members of professional organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance.

Each member of the team follows Trip101's methodology and strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and relevance.

1. Poole Park

Swans in Poole Park - geograph.org.uk - 388783
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Stephen Williams used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Stuck with what to do in Poole? Perhaps you can check out Poole Park and explore all its fun activities. Comprised of gardens, play areas, and bodies of water, you can find many swans and ducks swimming around while you relax in the crisp air.

It’s a great recreation spot for locals with the presence of fitness trails, tennis courts, and water sports such as kayaking and sailing in the lake. Foreign tourists will also certainly enjoy the picture-perfect scenery from its many green spaces. This award-winning park is one of the best places to eat in all of Poole, whether you’re out for a picnic or dining inside its surrounding eateries.

Poole Park

Address: Poole Park, Poole, Dorset BH15 2SF

Website: Poole Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Visited this place?

2. Hamworthy Park

The people of Poole surely love their beaches, and Hamworthy Park, one of the town’s best attractions, proves just that. Sitting on the scenic Poole Harbor, this property is made of Hamworthy Beach, wide green fields, play areas, and a seasonal paddling pool.

It’s an all-ages affair at this Poole attraction - bring your dog along to the beach and marvel at its beachside beauty and the surrounding vibrant huts, or watch as your kids have fun playing with the pool’s waters. Topped by additional features such as the park’s cafe and thrilling water activities, Hamworthy Park is also accessible to disabled folks with wheelchair-friendly toilets and access throughout.

Hamworthy Park

Address: Lulworth Avenue, Hamworthy, Poole BH15 4DH

Website: Hamworthy Park, Friends of Hamworthy Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Visited this place?

3. Brownsea Island

The Pier, Brownsea Island, Poole, Dorset
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jim Linwood used under CC BY 2.0

A short boat ride from Poole will take you to the National Trust sight of Brownsea Island, which has spectacular views that spread out to the Purbeck Hills. Formerly a private island with a castle built by Henry VIII, it now houses a wildlife sanctuary which has one of the last red squirrel colonies in Britain. Use your time to explore the vastness of woodland, heathland and even a lagoon. There’s also a natural playground, picnic areas and even an eco-camping area - a must visit for nature lovers.

Brownsea Island

Address: Brownsea Island, Poole BH13 7EE, England

Website: Brownsea Island

Visited this place?

4. Splashdown Waterpark Poole

Look what they did to the Cube Aquatics centre in Bejing after the Games http://www.waterpark-watercube.com/english/Attractions_Wavepool.aspx#

Posted by SPLASHDOWN on Monday, 4 March 2013

Whatever the British weather is like, a visit to the Splashdown Waterpark Poole will easily please most people. With 13 indoor and outdoor flume rides, ranging from severe to easy, there’s plenty of thrills to be had on your visit and some even have sound and light effects. For little ones, there are 3 splash zones and when you need a rest, take refuge in their own site cafe or lounge on one of the pool’s sunbeds.

Splashdown Waterpark Poole

Address: Splashdown Poole, Tower Park, Poole, Dorset BH12 4NY

Website: Splashdown Waterpark Poole

Visited this place?

5. Sandbanks Beach

Kite Surfer in the Storm
Source: Photo by Flickr user Iain A Wanless used under CC BY 2.0

One of the best things to do in Dorset also happens to be one of the best beaches on the South Coast and a holder of the European Blue Flag for a record 30 years. With fine golden sand and clean, safe water, it’s a perfect setting for a day out on the beach. It has excellent facilities - crazy golf course, children’s play area, a slackline, barbecue area and cafe - and a wide selection of water sports including parascending, inflatable “Bronco’s” or “Ringos”, jet-ski hire and power boat rides.

Sandbanks Beach

Address: Banks Road, BH13 7QQ, England

Website: Sandbanks Beach

Visited this place?

6. Upton Country Park

Angelica
Source: Photo by Flickr user Tanya Hart used under CC BY-SA 2.0

A quick drive from Poole center will take you to the serene parkland of the award winning Upton Country Park, a favorite tourist attraction in the area. Stroll amongst the wildlife along the shoreline or admire the botanical Walled Garden; for kids there’s plenty of opportunities for them to use up their energy in the Woodland Play Trail or to play games on the Front Lawn. A Gallery and Tea Room are open everyday whilst the The Georgian splendor of the Grade II listed Upton House is only open on certain days of the year.

Upton Country Park

Address: Upton, Poole BH17 7BJ, England

Website: Upton Country Park

Visited this place?

7. Poole Museum

Poole Museum (8866)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Nilfanion used under CC BY-SA 4.0

For a nautical theme and a sense of the history of Poole from prehistoric times up to modern day, drop by the Poole Museum to see their displays of archaeological artifacts from the Roman period to medieval times. As you walk in, there is a massive viking longboat at the entrance, a great attraction to entice you in further to learn more about Stone, Bronze and Iron ages. While you’re there, you can also visit the other buildings housed under the museum: Oakley’s Mill, a Victorian grain warehouse, Town Cellars and Scaplen’s Court.

Poole Museum

Address: 4 High Street, Poole BH15 1BW, England

Website: Poole Museum

Visited this place?

8. Poole Harbor

023 The Twin Sails Bridge, Poole Harbour, Dorset
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user jeffowenphotos used under CC BY 2.0

For somewhere beautiful to watch the world go by, head to Poole Harbor for some people and boat watching. This is the second largest natural harbor in the world and is a great place to get a feel of Poole’s sea history. As you stroll along the quayside, look out for tall ships, fishing vessels and luxury Sunseeker powerboats, or alternatively, take a drink at one of the many cafes or bars and admire the The Twin Sails Bridge.

Poole Harbor

Address: Poole, UK

Website: Poole Harbor

Visited this place?

9. RNLI Memorial Sculpture

Poole , RNLI College Sculpture - geograph.org.uk - 1771007
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Lewis Clarke used under CC BY-SA 2.0

This memorial is dedicated to the brave and selfless lifeboat and rescue crews who have volunteered acts of heroism in order to save others. The memorial is not only designed to honor local crews, but also others in local communities, and this is the only place where they are all named together. It’s a beautiful reminder of those who were lost at sea to save the lives of others.

RNLI Memorial Sculpture

Address: Poole, Dorest

Website: RNLI Memorial Sculpture

Visited this place?

10. Compton Acres

Poole Compton Acres beboste vallei 17-10-2011 14-41-54
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Paul Hermans used under CC BY-SA 3.0

With 5 gardens laid out on a circular route, visitors can easily walk around each one at their own leisure and discover the particular styles of each garden, from the Italian garden to the Japanese, or the Rock and Water Garden. When you need to take a break, there are plenty of tea rooms and cafes for you to recharge your batteries before heading through the other gardens of Woodland and Heather.

Compton Acres

Address: 164 Canford Cliffs Road, Poole Dorset BH13 7ES, England

Website: Compton Acres

Visited this place?

11. Farmer Palmer's Farm Park

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

For a fun day out for the family, Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park provides an abundance of kids’ activities and animal events. From bottle feeding the lambs, hand feeding the goats, cuddling guinea pigs or watching the pig race, your little ones will love this experience. If that’s not enough, they can also go on a ‘lumpy bumpy’ tractor ride across the fields or play in the hay barn that has slides, or have a go on the tandem go-karts.

Farmer Palmer's Farm Park

Address: Wareham Road, Organford, Poole, Dorset BH16 6EU, England

Website: Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park

Visited this place?

12. Steam Train and Sea Cruise Adventure Including the Jurassic Coast from Poole

Durdle Door Overview
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Saffron Blaze used under CC BY-SA 3.0

For a great way to see the coastal views, head on board a boat for a Jurassic Coast cruise and enjoy the sights of Poole Harbor, Brownsea Island, the Blue Lagoon, and the swanky coastal enclave of Sandbanks. The shore of the Jurassic Coast was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in England, so you’ll be guaranteed a treat on your day out. From Swanage Bay’s Victorian Pier, you’ll take a short walk along the beach before jumping on the steam train where you can hop on and off any of the 5 stops between Swanage and Norden.

Visited this place?

Relax and explore by the seaside

Poole has everything you’d want from a seaside resort, from relaxing on some of Britain’s best beaches, exploring the local islands and coastline or immersing yourself in the countryside surroundings. To cap it all off, make sure you sample a meal of traditional fish and chips followed by some delicious ice cream to capture the true essence of a British holiday on the coast. If you’re wondering where to stay, the county of Dorset offers several sea view hotels, log cabins, and self-catering accomodations you can rent.

Frequently asked questions about the best things to do in Poole, England


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Register Here
0 Comments
Explore Poole
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.
where to stay in bournemouth uk

Where To Stay In Bournemouth, UK: 12 Best Hotels & Holiday Homes - Updated 2024