Your Guide to Poole and surrounding areas

Poole and surrounding has so many things to see and do in any season, it’s a busy coastal destination.

Listed below are websites that contain up to date information for local attractions, places to visit with opening times, etc.

The area hosts huge events all year round, from the Bournemouth Air Show in the summer to open air ice skating and Christmas markets in the winter .

https://www.totalguidetodorset.com/

https://dorsettravelguide.com/

https://www.pooletourism.com/

https://www.bournemouth.co.uk/

www.letsgoout-bournemouthandpoole.co.uk

Sandbanks Peninsula

Poole and Bournemouth have 7 miles of Blue Flag beaches, with Sandbanks being the most famous.It’s a peninsular of land at the entrance to Poole Harbour. This is often a busy section of beach, with a large car park and restaurant facilities. It’s at the tip of the peninsula that you can take the chain ferry to Studland and Swanage.

Brownsea Island

Brownsea Island is set in Poole Harbour and only accessible by boat. Boat trips run from Poole Quay and Sandbanks (near the chain ferry). It is owned by the Nation Trust.

The island is home to lots of wildlife, such as the rare red squirrel, see if you can spot one darting around the woodland. A wide variety of birds, including dunlin, kingfishers, common and sandwich terns and oystercatchers.

There are lots of trails to help you explore the island, a natural play area and scenic picnic spots.

Corfe Castle & village

A must see is the ruins of Corfe Castle, set half way between the towns of Wareham and Swanage. The ruins overlook the village of Corfe. There are car parks available, pubs, restaurants and shops in the village.

There is so much history to absorb one visit may not be enough!

Kingston Lacy

Kingston Lacy, a country house and estate, has so much history to share, from 1663 to the current day. For many years the home of the Bankes family, who previously lived at Corfe Castle. The house and gardens are open to the public. There are many events for visitors held throughout the year.

Poole Quay

Poole Quay is situated in the Old Town, its a busy section of Poole all year round, weekly firework displays in the summer, “Bike Night”, food festivals and Christmas events. On the Quayside you will find up market restaurants, pubs and cafes. Boat trips run from the Quay side to Brownsea Island, Wareham & Swanage. After all of the hectic sightseeing sit yourself down with an ice cream to take in the view of the boats moored up, fishing boats to Sunseeker super yachts!

Arne Nature Reserve

Arne is not only a brilliant Dorset bird watching spot, it’s also one of the few remaining places where all six of the UK’s native reptiles can be found. Situated on Poole Harbour and within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, landscapes don’t get much more breathtaking than Arne. It’s a rich patchwork of habitats, home to a huge array of wildlife. Explore wide-open heathlands where reptiles roam, as well as ancient oak woodland humming with bird song, farm fields where Sika Deer stags rut and wetlands where Spoonbills wade. Still want more? How about discovering wading birds among the mudflats, watching Dartford Warblers darting about in the scrub, and spotting seals from the shoreline.

Lulworth Cove

Formed by the combined forces of the sea and a river swollen by melting ice at the end of the last Ice Age. Lulworth Cove is world famous for its unique geology and landforms including the Lulworth Crumple and Stair Hole.

Open every day, we welcome thousands of people each year who come to enjoy the panoramic views and crystal clear waters on this stretch of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. From rock-pooling and watersports, to walking, coasteering or just relaxing with an ice cream, this is a must-visit destination on the Dorset Coast.