Location: Poole
Top Things to do in Poole
The 10 Best Things to Do in Poole, United Kingdom (UK)
Poole in United Kingdom (UK), from Europe region, is best know for Islands. Discover best things to do in Poole with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Poole
1. Brownsea Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Owned by the National Trust, Brownsea Island is dramatically located in Poole Harbour, with spectacular views across to the Purbeck Hills. Thriving natural habitats - including woodland, heathland and a lagoon - create a unique haven for wildlife, such as the rare red squirrel and a wide variety of birds, including dunlin, kingfishers, common and Sandwich terns and oystercatchers. The Outdoor Centre invites you to come and follow in the footsteps of Lord Baden-Powell and the very first Scouts who camped here in 1907. Scout and Guide Groups can camp and get stuck in with activities such as archery and low ropes and we also offer Eco Adventure Camping as an opportunity for the general public to come and experience the great outdoors. The perfect day's adventure - this island wildlife sanctuary is easy to get to but feels like another world from the moment you step ashore.
Reviewed By CG101010 - London, United Kingdom
At this time of year the island is only open at weekends. There is an hourly ferry service from Poole Quay starting at 10.30am. Tickets don’t need to be bought in advance - you can pay when you disembark on the island.
We enjoyed a quiet walk through the woods. There were not many people about so we saw lots of birds and a couple of red squirrels. It was great for a peaceful walk.
Dorset Wildlife Trust have some bird hides overlooking the lagoon. They were on hand to help point out interesting birds. They ask for a small donation towards the cost of their conservation work.
2. RSPB Arne
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 299 reviews
RSPB Arne is one of the RSPB's flagship sights. A mix of heath land, woodland and coast the reserve is packed full of wildlife and has a large events programme to enable visitors to get the most out of their visit.
Reviewed By Janet W - Poole, United Kingdom
Highly recommended beauty spot and a favourite of ours for years.
Some changes have been made such as the parking charges are £5 per car which is actually good value as it includes your admission and very good value for a family. However it used to be donations so many people may feel it's expensive to what it used to be. There are additions to the site such as the lovely shop and great cafe open everyday serving really good food and a 2 course Sunday Roast for £10
Good toilet facilities and baby changing and there is a new play area for children on the Dumbledore trail. Very impressed with the bird hide and the walks which take in the stunning scenery which let you immerse yourself in, whilst taking a pew to admire. Suitable walking shoes, boots are sensible especially this time of year and something warm as it can be breezy at the beach area. A lovely place for everyone who enjoys walking and a memorable day out for all.
3. Farmer Palmer's Farm Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 923 reviews
Open everyday from 10am. Family run visitor attraction near Poole in Dorset, the Palmer's have designed everything for children 8 years and under! Opened in 1998 the attention to detail and happy, friendly staff make all the difference to delivering great customer service.
Reviewed By DRMarch2011 - London, United Kingdom
Visited Farmer Palmers with my 3 year old daughter in a rather sunny day, mid-March 2018. £9.75 for everyone above 3 years old but they also do a discount family ticket. Fabulous place that really managed to do everything quite well. Plenty of things to...MoreThank you for your clear review. The cost is £9.50 but your enjoyment and involvement is obvious during your day with us. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
4. Durdle Door & White Nothe Circular Walk
Overall Ratings
5 based on 289 reviews
A challenging walk along the South West Coast Path. It is a switchback up and down four hills before returning along a relatively level ridge. It offers great photo opportunities passing some of the geological highlights of the Jurassic Coast. In late Spring and early summer the limestone grassland beside the path is full of rare flowers and clouds of butterflies.
Reviewed By Barry H - Essex, United Kingdom
This walk is listed as about 6/7 Miles, but it seemed longer probably because we kept stopping for two reasons. Firstly, the scenery and views are spectacular to say the least, photo opportunities in every direction. Secondly, some of the climbs, even for hardened walkers are tough so catching your breath regularly is needed !
Seriously, there are three steep hills that have to be traversed on the way to White Nothe and, whilst walk back along ‘the ridge’ is more gentle, only regular walkers and fit people should try the entire walk. We are both fit and walk regularly and we took four and a half hours to complete.
You don’t of course have to do the whole route, you can just walk as far as you want to and come back.
Not for the faint hearted, but well worth the effort just for the breathtaking and spectacular scenery all along the way. A great sense of satisfaction when you’re sitting down having a well deserved bevies or two afterwards !
5. Sandbanks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Naturally beautiful, with its golden sand, Sandbanks Beach has been designated by the European Commission as one of the few areas in the United Kingdom which has achieved the highest standard of cleanliness. Sandbanks has held the highly coveted international Blue Flag for the past 30 years and offers a designed area for barbeques and swimmers. New slacklining posts have been installed. Equipment is available to hire from the beach office. Activities at Sandbanks include crazy golf, a children's play area and the Sandbanks Beach Cafe. The number 50 Wilts and Dorset bus from Bournemouth Station to Swanage stops near to the beach (generally every half hour in the summer). There is a car park next to the beach that holds 550 cars, 5 for disabled use.
Reviewed By pandamedic - Birmingham, United Kingdom
We visited off season so parking for the day was pretty cheap. About £2ish if i remember right. It was pretty cold and Blowy being in February, but the walk along the beach was lovely. Some great views and jealous of those that had properties backing onto the sandy beach. Must be great in the summer.
6. Shell Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 203 reviews
Reviewed By sandybottom65 - Portsmouth England
Stunning views of Bournemouth to Great Harry rocks. The water is shallow and very clean. Some of the beach is a naturist area but it is well signposted . To be honest one of the best Beaches in the UK
7. Poole Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 295 reviews
Reviewed By Lizzie R - Poole, United Kingdom
So much to see and do. Lakes with ducks and swans. Cafe and restaurant. Parking. Nice to walk or just sit and watch the world go by. Childrens play areas.
8. Poole Harbour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Carol S - Oxford, United Kingdom
We sailed to Poole from Lymington in July. In the Solent it was very gentle, and charts to sail out safely were very necessary because of the sand banks. Lovely Sunshine and little swell as we left. Hurst Castle imposing on the headland and Milford on Sea glimmering in the sun. The next bit became a bit bumpy until well past the entrance to Poole Harbour. Once well into the harbour the water settled and the sights were amazing although the shallow water had to be respected. We moored on the Town Quay for 4 nights. Great fun. It was what you made it but all the ingredients were there to make it great.
9. Poole Museum and Scaplen's Court Museum and Herb Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 267 reviews
At Poole Museum discover the colourful history of this ancient port town and its people, and learn about the amazing environment of Poole Harbour, on four floors of art, archaeology and social history. The recently extended and re-displayed museum (all year, except Mons in Winter)has a Terrace with stunning harbour views, and activities for all. Medieval Scaplen's Court Museum is open Aug and its tranquil herb garden May - Sept afternoons. ALL FREE.
Reviewed By cngj - Chelmsford, United Kingdom
We popped in here as we were staying opposite and it seemed a shame not to. There was lots to see, with different categories on each floor. Worth a look as there's bound to be something of interest.
10. Branksome Chine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By Alan F - Bournemouth, United Kingdom
A chine is a steep wooded seaside valley and there are several between Bournemouth and Poole. Branksome Chine leads down to Branksome beach which is a pretty part of the coast with wide sands. There is a large car park at Branksome beach, a good cafe and a shop. There is plenty of walking from here in either direction. Easy access for wheelchairs, pushchairs, dogs etc.
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