Poole

Travel Guide

Brownsea Castle showing heritage architecture
Brownsea Castle which includes heritage architecture
Brownsea Island which includes a church or cathedral and heritage architecture
Compton Acres which includes a garden, a fountain and a statue or sculpture
Poole Harbour which includes a river or creek

Relax on one of Britain’s favorite beaches and amble along the coastal paths of this quaint town that has been inhabited since the Iron Age.

Pretty beaches, a natural harbor 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 theater 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 kilometers) 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

Default Image

Parkstone

Visitors to Parkstone rave about its stunning beaches, fantastic nightlife, and luxurious spas. You might also want to make some time to see Splashdown Waterpark or Tower Park while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Parkstone

Oakdale

Oakdale might not have many top sights, but Poole Harbour and Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Oakdale
Evening Hill, Poole

Lilliput

While Lilliput might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Poole Harbour and Compton Acres.

Lilliput
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 neighborhood.

Poole Old Town
Holiday Inn Express Poole by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Poole by IHG

3 out of 5
Walking Field Lane, Poole, England
$95 nightly
The price is $114 total per night from Sep 14 to Sep 15
$114 total
Sep 14 - Sep 15
Total with taxes and 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! (1,002 reviews)
"Clean and tidy"

Reviewed on Aug 23, 2025

Holiday Inn Express Poole by IHG
Haven Hotel

Haven Hotel

4 out of 5
161 Banks Road, Poole, England
$180 nightly
The price is $216 total per night from Sep 7 to Sep 8
$216 total
Sep 7 - Sep 8
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Poole. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"Good hotel tocstay. Service good staff friendly. Fantastic views of the sea and harbour."

Reviewed on Aug 22, 2025

Haven Hotel
Sandbanks Hotel

Sandbanks Hotel

4 out of 5
15 Banks Road, Sandbanks, Poole, England
$163 nightly
The price is $196 total per night from Sep 4 to Sep 5
$196 total
Sep 4 - Sep 5
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Poole. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.8/10 Good! (834 reviews)
"This was our 8th stay at SandbankHotel and hope to return in late summer we no longer go abroad the hotel i situated on the beach food in restaurant fabulous maybe little pricey drinks definitely overpriced but as we only have 3 each per night not a problem fantastic walks on the beach roof top food ..."

Reviewed on Aug 21, 2025

Sandbanks 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.
Quayside Quarters

Quayside Quarters

3 out of 5
25 Thames St, Poole, England
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Poole. Enjoy free WiFi, dry cleaning or laundry services, and minibars. Popular attractions Poole Harbour and Sandbanks Beach ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (60 reviews)
Perfect stay at the Harbour
"An excellent location and the directions provided by the host were spot on. In a beautiful peaceful location and a stones throw from the harbour front. Once inside the property we were not disappointed. Spotlessly clean and the welcome book included all the details we needed, not only about the accommodation ..."

Reviewed on Aug 18, 2025

Quayside Quarters
Sandbanks Holiday Home Poole  5 minutes walk to the  Beach
Sleeps 8/9

Sandbanks Holiday Home Poole 5 minutes walk to the Beach Sleeps 8/9

Sandbanks
Stay at this vacation home in Poole. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Poole Harbour and Sandbanks Beach are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (46 reviews)
"Lovely property in good location for beach and shops.Would recommend and would stay there again"

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2025

Sandbanks Holiday Home Poole 5 minutes walk to the Beach Sleeps 8/9
Harbour Lights sea and beach views with a Caribbean-style and secure parking

Harbour Lights sea and beach views with a Caribbean-style and secure parking

Poole
Stay at this apartment in Poole. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and balconies. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (42 reviews)
"The apartment was perfect, it had everything needed plus more. Very clean and beautifully decorated, loved the turtles. The welcome pack was lovely especially the rum cake! Sally was really helpful from the very start. We had an amazing week there, it just wasn’t long enough. Our last night there ..."

Reviewed on Aug 18, 2025

Harbour Lights sea and beach views with a Caribbean-style and secure parking
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

Things to do

Cities near Poole