Things to do in Poole

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

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

Poole Attractions

If you're after things to do in Poole, get set to be busy. This vibrant city is a people-pleaser. No matter your interests, you'll be inspired by the selection of attractions to dive into here. Keep reading to learn about some of the best of them.

Discover the sights of Poole with some popular tours & day trips, or try out our list of {23 fun activities in Poole fun activities in Poole}. We have no booking fees and free cancellation, so you can relax and channel all your energy into planning your perfect vacation.

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Most popular activities in Poole

Tours & day trips

See all 19 activities
Poole Jurassic Coast Circular Cruise

Poole Jurassic Coast Circular Cruise

Activity duration is 2 hours and 15 minutes
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is $28 per adult
Poole Jurassic Coast Circular CruiseOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 4 activities
Jurassic Coast and Durdle Door in Executive Vehicle Private Tour

Jurassic Coast and Durdle Door in Executive Vehicle Private Tour

Activity duration is 14 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is $1,560 per adult*
Jurassic Coast and Durdle Door in Executive Vehicle Private TourOpens in new tab

Attractions

See all 3 activities
Bournemouth Oceanarium Ticket

Bournemouth Oceanarium Ticket

8.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is $19 per adult
Bournemouth Oceanarium TicketOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Poole

Number of things to do
23
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Bournemouth Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $13
Top 5 things to do
Under $25
With kids

What to do in Poole

Free Things to Do in Poole

Some say the best things in life are free. Be sure to visit the following around Poole:

Poole Old Lifeboat Museum - Bring the whole family and go on an intriguing adventure through history with each other.

The Courtyard Craft Centre - This is a wonderful place to get your culture fix and explore the local arts scene.

Poole Twin Sails Bridge - Architecture enthusiasts will no doubt enjoy marveling at the modern design of this landmark.

Poole Old Town - Get to grips with some of the interesting history of the region through this attraction.

Poole Quay - Learn why tourists and locals alike are enamored by the unique vibe of this place.

Lake North Beach - Devour an amazing novel or listen to a top podcast while grabbing some rays.

Poole Park - Find your green thumb and explore the various plants on show.

Things to Do in Poole with Kids

If you're taking a break with the young ones, you'll find plenty of activities to do together in Poole. These family friendly experiences will put huge smiles on faces both young and old:

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Poole? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Discover the most popular places to visit in Poole

Poole Harbour featuring a river or creek and heritage architecture

Poole Harbour

4.5/5(27 reviews)

Visit a forested part of this harbor’s archipelago after strolling along the charming promenade full of restaurants, pubs and boutiques.

Poole Harbour
Sandbanks beach with Bournemouth Pier in the moonlight

Sandbanks Beach

If a restful vacation is part of your travel plans, Sandbanks Beach might be the perfect place to seek out during your trip to Sandbanks. Stroll along the waterfront in this relaxing area, or check out its lively bars.

Sandbanks Beach
Poole Quay

Poole Quay

Explore the waterfront in Poole with a trip to Poole Quay. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or visit the spas in this family-friendly area.

Poole Quay
Brownsea Castle featuring heritage architecture

Brownsea Castle

Ride a ferry to a forested island. Observe colorful peacocks and playful red squirrels beside this grand castle from the 1500s.

Brownsea Castle
Compton Acres featuring a pond and heritage architecture

Compton Acres

The fine historic gardens of late Victorian mixed style were set up in the early 20th century. Peruse the range of exotic sections remaining today.

Compton Acres
#Details! The oldest Pub on Poole Quay, the Poole Arms with its distinctive green tiling dates from the 1600s and by all accounts offering great seafood dishes. #Photos Detail Sweepstakes

Poole Park

After visiting Poole Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Poole. Stroll along the area's seaside, or simply savor its top-notch restaurants.

Poole Park

Splashdown Waterpark

Bring the family to Splashdown Waterpark and enjoy the excitement of this amusement park in Poole. Stroll along the area's seaside or experience its entertainment choices.

Splashdown Waterpark

Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts

You can enjoy a show at Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts during your stay in Poole. Wander the area's waterfront or simply enjoy one of its lively bars.

Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts

Branksome Chine Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Branksome Chine Beach during your trip to Poole? Wander the waterfront and beautiful beaches in the area.

Branksome Chine Beach

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods 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
Stanley Green, recreation ground Tatnam Farm Recreation Ground, off Stanley Green Road; Poole Town FC ground behind the bushes to the right.
Photo by Mike Faherty (CC BY-SA)

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
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
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
See our Where To Stay guide

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Popular day trips from Poole

Bournemouth featuring tranquil scenes, hiking or walking and building ruins

Bournemouth

Photo by David Thompson

Wimborne

Swanage

Swanage

Photo by Milly Larmer

Blandford Forum

Durdle Door featuring a sunset, a bay or harbor and rugged coastline

Wareham

Photo by Doug Smith

Sandbanks

St Maarten and St Martin featuring a bay or harbor and a bridge

Hamworthy

Photo "Corfe Mullen" by John Palmer (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by John Palmer (CC BY-SA)

Corfe Mullen

Frequently asked questions

Is Poole worth visiting?
Offering a blend of cycling and underwater activities, there are plenty of things to do in Poole. When you're here, check out Wimborne Minster, a top attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Poole?
Sandbanks Beach and Swanage Beach are two awesome places to kick-start your getaway adventures. Be sure to explore the dining and shopping options in Poole while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Poole?
The top tourist attraction in Poole is Wimborne Minster, so make sure to add it to your sightseeing itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Poole?
Three days will give you time to check out some popular city sights, like Wimborne Minster, Sandbanks Beach and Studland Beach and Nature Reserve. The average stay in Poole is two days. If you have the time to extend your adventure, Southampton isn't far away.
Is Poole a walkable city?
Some key attractions in Poole, like Sandbanks Beach and Brownsea Castle, are within walking distance. You can also experience several of the city's neighborhoods on foot. Just 0.1 miles from central Poole is Poole Old Town and Oakdale is 1 mile away.
What are some activities to do in Poole with kids?
If you're searching for sights and activities for all the family, have a look at these awesome ideas for what to do in Poole with kids.

What to do in Poole for adults?
There's no shortage of things to do in Poole, with activities for adults of all ages. Cap off your day with a visit to Rockley Sands Beach or Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum.
Are there free things to do in Poole?
From visiting parks to wandering around vibrant neighborhoods, it's easy to discover free things to do in Poole. If you're stuck for ideas, ask a local tour guide for some tips. Wimborne Minster is a great spot for anyone planning to save on their traveling adventures.