Out & About in Poole

Poole is a large, bustling town on the coast of Dorset and is popular with young and old. It is 20 miles East of the county town of Dorchester. Bournemouth lies to the East and adjoins the town. Poole, with its population of around 140,000, is the second largest town in Dorset. A tourist resort with great history, award-winning beaches and a large natural harbour make Poole a thriving and vibrant town. It also has a commercial port which is busy with cross-Channel freight as well as ferry services to France. Poole is the headquarters of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The Royal Marines also have a base in Poole Harbour. As well as this, Poole is home to the wonderful Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Bournemouth University.

Across the harbour mouth lies a small peninsula of sand called Sandbanks. Its popularity has meant that its land value is now the highest in the world taken on square footage. Exclusive homes fetch very high prices here. The Harbour at Poole is popular for watersports because of its sheltered and calm position. As there is plenty of parking near the harbour, the Sandbanks area is popular for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Poole Harbour can proudly boast of being one of the top sailing centres in the UK. Many yacht clubs have their home here including Parkstone Yacht Club, Lilliput Sailing Club and Poole Yacht Club.

Deep-sea fishing is popular too and mackerel fishing trips depart regularly from the harbourside. For a relaxing day out, trips are available to nearby Brownsea Island, a haven for nature-lovers, where you can still find red squirrels.

Shopping

The Dolphin Shopping Centre has over 100 shops under one roof and is a great place to shop particularly on a wet day. Poole Street market is held every Thursday. On Thursdays and Saturdays there is a weekly street market in the High Street where invariably there is street entertainment as well. The town centre stretches from Poole Quay's waters edge right up to the Dolphin Shopping Centre and Poole's is an exciting shopping experience that you won't want to miss. There are fantastic small individual shops too, all offering something different.

Food and Drink

Being situated right next to the sea and with attractions such as Poole Park and Poole Pottery, Poole also has many acclaimed restaurants alongside historic buildings and top class hotels. Poole is a truly cosmopolitan town and offers exciting gastronomic experiences. Everything from Chinese to Caribbean food is on offer and you will be spoiled for choice. Why not try the Jasmine Peking Restaurant with its huge variety of Peking, Cantonese and Chinese food if you are looking for a takeaway. Or sit outside underneath the heated terrace of Pinocchios which provides traditional Italian food with a lively atmosphere.

Arts and Entertainment

Poole was once thought to have more pubs per square mile than any other place in Britain. Indeed there were over 50 in the old part of town. Although a lot have gone, many interesting ones remain in their original condition. A variety of pubs are to be found on the quay, many offering live music during Summer months. The Lord Nelson is known for its music on a Sunday and Wednesday.

Both Poole and Bournemouth have good galleries and museums. The Waterfront Museum in Poole takes you back thousands of years. Poole often hosts concerts with top bands and it is part of the tour circuit of many comedians too. The biggest leisure centre in the South is Poole's Tower Park, 3 miles from the town centre. It is packed with attractions for all the family and incorporates a cinema, bowling alley, nightclub, restaurants and 10 screen cinema.

Hotels and Travel

Getting to Poole is easy as it is well served by airports, roads and trains. In fact Bournemouth International Airport is only five miles from the centre of Poole. From London there are frequent bus and train services. Ferries depart daily to Cherbourg, St Malo and the Channel Islands.

You can always find the perfect place to stay in Poole as there is a huge choice of top-of-the-range hotels, bed and breakfast establishments, guest houses and campsites in and around the town. If you like a sea view, try the Harbour Heights Hotel on Sandbanks. For those who prefer an historic setting, a few steps from the harbour is the Quayside Hotel, an ancient B&B establishment, with crooked passageways and slanting ceilings on the top floor.