Things to do in Poole

Poole offers a good mixture of rich historical heritage and modern attractions. It boasts the second largest harbour in the world and has a coastline that spans 110 miles with beautiful beaches and rugged cliffs. It is a haven for water sports enthusiasts offering everything from sailing to dinghy racing, windsurfing to power boating as well as simple pleasure boat trips. The Quay is a popular place to relax as it has some fabulous views across Poole Harbour and contains some of the town's best pubs and restaurants. Take time to see the 18th century architecture and stroll along the cobbled streets. When you have finished with the many attractions, pop into the Dolphin Centre shopping mall for some retail therapy.

Compton Acres

Compton Acres is one of the finest privately owned gardens in the South of England. There are also spectacular views of Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island and the distant Purbeck Hills. There are 12 individual gardens created on a different theme spread over an area of 10 acres. The most famous garden is the Japanese Garden, which is reputed to be the only completely genuine Japanese Garden in Europe. Other highlights include the Palm Court, Wooded Valley, Rock and Water Gardens, Heather Garden, Garden of Memory and the Amateur Gardening created in conjunction with the gardening magazine. There are also new buildings providing the first stage in improved visitor facilities on the site. This incorporates a new retail area, craft shop and plant centre. Within the gardens there are Tea Rooms, a Terrace Brasserie, overlooking Poole Harbour and a new Ice Cream Parlour where you can relax following your walk around the Gardens. Compton Acres can be located off the B3065 into Canford Cliffs Road.

Brownsea Island

Owned and managed by the National Trust, this 500 acre island of woods, heath and open glades has magnificent views of Studland, Old Harry Rocks and the Purbeck Hills. Its dramatic location in the middle of Poole harbour is home to one of the few English surviving populations of the Red Squirrel. Not so difficult to spot are the famous Peacocks, which can often be found displaying their fine feathers on the green outside the church. The island is a peaceful, natural setting undisturbed by traffic and a natural habitat for pinewoods and breeding birds. In the past, the island has been the site of a Victorian pottery, an Edwardian country estate, a brick works, a daffodil farm and, in WWII, a decoy to protect Poole. Brownsea Island was the site of the very first Boy Scout Camp and today you will still find Scouts using the Island for their camps. You can catch a ferry to the Island from Poole Quay, Bournemouth Pier or from Swanage.

Poole Pottery

Poole Pottery has been making its distinctive products for more than one hundred years. It was founded in 1873 by a Builder's Merchant and Ironmonger going by the name of Jesse Carter. He was aware of a large deposit of clay just to the north of the town and that the harbour was an excellent way of transporting his finished goods out. By the 1880s, the factory was well known for its tiling products, mosaic flooring and advertising panels. It was originally called Carter's Industrial Tile Manufactory before becoming Poole Pottery. It then went on to produce some acclaimed Art Deco style pottery and also became one of the south's most popular tourist attractions. Poole Pottery is in a new phase and is now working with a host of new and experienced designers. Take a factory tour to see how the world famous pottery products are made and see close up the production processes from raw clay to the hand decorated finished pieces.

Poole Park

Poole Park was constructed on land donated by Lord Wimborne and officially opened by the Prince of Wales in 1890. It has always been considered the heart of the town centre and remains popular with the local people. Younger visitors will enjoy feeding the ducks and swans on the lake and there is also the miniature railway which winds its way around Swan Lake. The adventure playground is a safe environment for children to enjoy the various slides and huge ball pool. Older visitors will prefer to stroll around the park and admire the Rose garden and formal flower beds, while there is a mini pitch and putt and Bowling Green for those with a little more energy.

Upton Country Park

Upton House is a Grade II listed building situated in the beautiful gardens of Upton Country Park. The house itself was built in 1818 and given by the Llewellin family to the Borough of Poole in 1957. Although it is now home to offices, parts of the ground floor are usually open to the public on Sunday afternoons, where you will find various displays and exhibitions. The Formal Gardens are the most colourful part of the park and directly surround the house and extend out to the duck pond, shoreline and woodland trails. Providing year round colour, these contain some rare and wonderful plants from around the world. The open spaces and quiet corners behind the house provide opportunities for artists and people to relax. The Grove Woodland forms a major part of the park and contains species such as Oak, Ash and Beech. Many different birds can be found living in this habitat including the green Woodpecker. The Park is located four miles from the historic Poole town, and is situated on the south side of the A35/A3049.

Museums

The Waterfront Museum is Poole's premier museum. The front of the building has been transformed by a new glass and steel structure. The light-filled glass atrium creates a stunning new entrance with a viewing terrace on the 3rd floor that provides visitors with an orientation point and views across Poole and the harbour. New displays on four floors tell the story of Poole. Scaplen's Court is Poole's most complete medieval domestic building and has undergone many changes over the centuries. During the Civil War it was known as the 'George Inn' and is believed to have been occupied by troops, as many initials and dates from that period are scratched on the old stone fireplaces. The building is dedicated to the Museum Education Programme with demonstrations on domestic life through the ages held on certain days of the month. Exhibitions and family events are held here throughout the year. The Local History Centre is located next to The Waterfront Museum in a wonderful 600 year old woolhouse building. It has an extensive library, which is supported by microfilmed and digitised material, old maps and charts, photographs, historical newspapers and Poole family history.