Things to do in Poole

Activities, attractions and tours

Brownsea Castle featuring heritage architecture
Brownsea Castle featuring heritage architecture
Brownsea Island which includes a church or cathedral and heritage architecture
Poole
Poole Harbour showing a river or creek

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Most popular experiences in Poole

Tours & day trips

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Poole Jurassic Coast Circular Cruise

Poole Jurassic Coast Circular Cruise

Activity duration is 2 hours and 15 minutes
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is €24 per adult
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Private & custom tours

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Jurassic Coast and Durdle Door in Executive Vehicle Private Tour

Jurassic Coast and Durdle Door in Executive Vehicle Private Tour

Activity duration is 14 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is €1,350 per adult*
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Attractions

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Bournemouth Oceanarium Ticket

Bournemouth Oceanarium Ticket

8.8 out of 10 with 3 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €16 per adult
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What to do in Poole

Popular places to visit

Poole Harbour showing heritage architecture and a river or creek

Poole Harbour

Visit a forested part of this harbor’s archipelago after strolling along the charming promenade full of restaurants, pubs and boutiques.

Poole Harbour
Sandbanks Beach

Sandbanks Beach

If a restful holiday is part of your travel plans, Sandbanks Beach might be the perfect place to visit during your trip to Sandbanks. Stroll along the waterfront in this romantic area or visit its top-notch restaurants.

Sandbanks Beach
Poole Quay

Poole Quay

Explore the waterfront in Poole with a trip to Poole Quay. Stroll along the seaside or visit the spas in this family-friendly area.

Poole Quay
Brownsea Castle showing heritage architecture

Brownsea Castle

Ride a ferry to a forested island. Observe colorful peacocks and playful red squirrels beside this grand castle from the 1500s.

Brownsea Castle
Compton Acres which includes heritage architecture and a pond

Compton Acres

The fine historic gardens of late Victorian mixed style were set up in the early 20th century. Peruse the range of exotic sections remaining today.

Compton Acres
Poole Park

Poole Park

After visiting Poole Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Poole. Stroll along the area's beautiful beaches or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

Poole Park

Splashdown Waterpark

Bring the children to Splashdown Waterpark and enjoy the excitement of this theme park in Poole. Stroll along the area's seaside or experience its entertainment choices.

Splashdown Waterpark

Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts

You can enjoy a show at Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts during your trip to Poole. Wander the area's waterfront or simply enjoy one of its lively bars.

Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts

Branksome Chine Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Branksome Chine Beach during your trip to Poole? Wander the waterfront and beautiful beaches in the area.

Branksome Chine Beach

Areas of Poole

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Parkstone

Are you interested in stunning beaches, fantastic nightlife and luxurious spas? A visit to Parkstone might be the perfect thing. You can also explore top sights like Splashdown Waterpark and Tower Park.

Parkstone
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Photo by Mike Faherty (CC BY-SA)

Oakdale

While Oakdale isn't home to many top sights, Poole Harbour and Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts are some notable places to visit nearby.

Oakdale
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Lilliput

When in Lilliput, you can plan a visit to Poole Harbour and Compton Acres, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Lilliput
Poole Museum showing interior views

Poole Old Town

Visitors to Poole Old Town rave about its stunning beaches, fantastic nightlife and luxurious spas. You might also want to make some time to see Scaplen’s Court Museum or Poole Museum while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Poole Old Town
Bournemouth which includes tranquil scenes, heritage elements and hiking or walking

Bournemouth

Swanage

Swanage

Photo by Milly Larmer

Blandford Forum

Photo by Doug Smith

Sandbanks

Photo "Corfe Mullen" by John Palmer (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by John Palmer (CC BY-SA)

Corfe Mullen

Compton Acres featuring heritage architecture and a park

Canford Cliffs

Photo by David Richards

Arne

Frequently asked questions

Is Poole worth visiting?
Famous for its cycling and underwater activities, discovering cool things to do in Poole is easy. Don't forget to add Sandbanks Beach to your itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Poole?
Sandbanks Beach and Swanage Beach are two excellent places to start your holiday adventures. Remember to check out the dining and retail options in Poole while you're there too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Poole?
Don't leave without exploring Sandbanks Beach, ranked the top tourist attraction in Poole.
Is three days enough to stay in Poole?
Three days will give you time to check out some popular city attractions, including Sandbanks Beach, Wimborne Minster and Studland Beach and Nature Reserve. The average stay in Poole is two days. If you have the urge to extend your getaway, Southampton isn't far away.
Is Poole a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and major sights within walking distance of the city centre, Poole is a good destination to discover on foot. Enjoy wandering between Sandbanks Beach and Brownsea Castle. Then take a stroll around Poole Old Town, located 0.16 kilometres from the centre, and Oakdale, which is about 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Poole with kids?
If you're searching for tours and attractions for all the family, have a look at these excellent ideas for what to do in Poole with kids.

What to do in Poole for adults?
Rockley Sands Beach and Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum are just a couple of the things to do in Poole. With lots of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Poole?
In Poole, Sandbanks Beach is an unmissable spot for anyone looking to tour the city without taking their wallet out. Also, wander around the parks and other neighbourhoods, and ask a local tour guide for tips. It's a simple way to find out about the best free things to do in Poole.