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Coastal town in Dorset, England
Photo: Lewis Clarke, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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A National Trust site, famous for its large population of red squirrels, and as the birthplace of the Scout Movement. The animals on the island are very tame and will happily wander up to you. It can be reached by boat from the quay but note that the price of the boat trip does not include admittance to the island.
A large house and estate that was owned by the Bankes family and donated to the National Trust in the 1980s. The house contains paintings, furniture and Egyptian artefacts accumulated over 300 years.
Poole's Centre For The Arts
It has a surrounding woodland with many footpaths. It also has various birdwatching sites overlooking holes bay. By the main Upton House there are two tea rooms where one can enjoy tea and cake for around £3.
A maritime museum, gallery and cultural centre owned by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, with lots of local information and history, well worth a visit.
Jet ski experience & jet ski training.
Indoor waterpark, movie theatre, various restaurants, and bingo.
Market-fresh fish and seafood served up on rustic wooden tables, plus cooking courses.
An excellent curry house, which can get quite busy Friday and Saturday nights.
Restaurant on the ground floor and cafe on the first floor. The adjoining car park tends to get busy during the summer season with beach-goers, so it is advisable to park a few minutes away and walk down.
Classic French cuisine and signature seafood dishes in simple, nautical-themed dining room.
Wackily decorated pub with ever-changing real ales.
Comfortable accommodation in the building used for training volunteers to man the lifeboats around the coast. Profits from the accommodation help this national charity. Building tours are also available M-Sa 11AM and 2:30PM, but must be booked in advance on +44 1202 308 500. Riggers Restaurant has mains from £10.
Panoramic outlooks over Poole Harbour and beyond.
A large indoor shopping centre with the usual high street brands including Boots, H&M, New Look, Next, Primark, River Island and Wilko, plus a restaurant and two cafes.
By coach
There are coaches between Poole bus station and London Victoria about once an hour, via Bournemouth. Coaches also run to Heathrow Airport.
By road
From the east, take the M27 until it becomes the A31. Continue past Ringwood, and follow the signs for Poole. From the west, come in on the A35.
By bus
There are regular buses on the More branded service, with links to Southampton, Dorchester and Salisbury.
By boat
Daily ferry services from Poole Harbour run to Cherbourg in France as well as Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands.
More branded buses cover local routes including the Poole-Parkstone-Westbourne-Bournemouth-Christchurch corridor, to Broadstone and Wimborne, and to Wareham and Swanage.
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Bournemouth · Regional · BOH
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