Things to do in Poole
From soaking up the sun on one of the UK's top beaches, Sandbanks, to trying your hand at a new water sport or exploring miles of scenic trails, Poole offers endless ways to enjoy your time off.
Adventurers of all ages can discover the beauty of Poole's natural harbour, the largest in Europe. With its eight distinctive islands and striking peninsula, the harbour is a paradise for sailors, wildlife enthusiasts, and water sports lovers, serving as the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast.
Outdoor Adventures in Poole
Begin your journey with cliff-top woodland trails, and pirate-themed play areas, or by scaling giant woodland insects along Poole’s three miles of award-winning golden sands. The family-friendly Blue Flag beaches are perfect for little explorers to play, hunt for treasures, and build the ultimate sandcastle. For the thrill-seekers, Poole Harbour’s safe, shallow waters are ideal for trying out more than 25 water-based activities.
Poole and its surrounding countryside offer beautiful walking routes throughout the year. The Poole Harbour coast is the finishing point for the South West Coast Path, and the area is filled with various trails.
Teeming with wildlife, the diverse habitats and rare heathland around Poole Harbour make it one of the UK’s premier birdwatching spots, especially during winter and migration seasons. Budding naturalists can spot some of the UK’s rarest birds and reptiles on one of the many RSPB-guided walks and tours, tailored for both beginners and experts, to learn more about this globally significant environment. Poole's natural harbour makes it an ideal fishing spot. Whether you're looking to embark on a sea fishing trip with a local vendor or prefer a quiet day by the water, Poole offers plenty of options for anglers.
Poole Park offers something for everyone, with play areas, a cricket pitch, tennis courts, tree climbing, pitch and putt, and water sport taster sessions with Rockley Park. Don’t miss the famous Poole Park Railway, which offers a delightful half-mile journey around the wildfowl lake. For a family-friendly break, visit The Ark in Poole Park, featuring soft play, an ice rink, a café, and delicious ice cream. Also, situated in the scenic Poole Park, The Ark offers a fantastic multi-level soft play area filled with exciting obstacles, slides, and a separate toddler section complete with a ball pit and sensory activities. In addition to the soft play, The Ark features a paint-your-own pottery studio, which can be booked separately, providing a creative outlet for children and parents alike.
Entertainment in Poole
Poole offers a vibrant year-round calendar of national and international events, featuring dance, music, drama, comedy, film, visual arts, workshops, and family-friendly theatre. The Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts, stands as the UK’s largest regional arts centre, drawing visitors from across the country.
Poole Museum not only delves into the town’s rich history but also presents a dynamic gallery space that hosts rotating exhibitions. These exhibitions highlight Poole's unique stories, celebrated artists, and emerging innovators.
For a more intimate cinema experience, Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts, offers a smaller single-screen venue that showcases a diverse selection of foreign, art-house, and popular films—perfect for the true cinephile.
For ultimate relaxation, several hotels along the "Coast with the Most" offer luxurious spa experiences. Enjoy special packages and treatments designed to help you unwind and escape the stresses of daily life.
Family Activities in Poole
For shopping enthusiasts, the Dolphin Centre—Dorset's largest covered shopping centre—features a range of stores from high street favourites like Primark and Next to unique shops like Beales and Valentina Shoes, with 1,400 parking spaces for your convenience. Poole High Street, winding its way to the bustling quayside, offers additional shopping options with weekly markets every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Compton Acres, one of the South’s finest privately-owned gardens, is a must-visit, offering distinctive Japanese, Italian, and heather gardens that transport you around the globe. Unwind in the on-site restaurant or browse for treats and gifts in the deli and shop.
Tower Park Entertainment Centre, just on the outskirts of Poole and close to Bournemouth, is a vibrant destination packed with activities and dining options. Splashdown waterpark offers thrilling rides like Velocity, Black Thunder, and the Screamer, while younger kids can enjoy the wet play area. Lemur Landings, one of Dorset’s largest indoor soft play centres, features multi-level play frames, slides, tunnels, and more. Hollywood Bowl boasts 24 fully computerized bowling lanes, pool tables, fast food, and arcade games. Cineworld Cinema provides a full entertainment experience with comfortable seating, 3D screenings, and Dolby surround sound. Also located within Tower Park, Lemur Landings is one of the largest and most popular soft play centres in Poole. It features a multi-level play frame with slides, ball cannons, and a sensory area, making it a hit with kids of all ages. The centre also includes a dedicated toddler zone and a role-play area where children can engage in imaginative play. For those seeking a bit more adventure, there's a climbing zone that offers safe, challenging fun.
Upton Country Park, a 19th-century merchant’s residence, invites visitors to explore its beautiful grounds, trails, formal gardens, and woodland areas. The parkland also includes a rustic play trail and opportunities to spot rare bird species in the SSSI-protected wetland habitat.
Poole’s calendar is packed with events on and off the water, from Sandpolo to Harry Paye Day. Music lovers can enjoy world-class performances at three festivals featuring folk, classical, and blues, while families can indulge in pirate adventures, classic car shows, vintage fairs, and arts events.
Poole offers a variety of soft play and play café options that cater to families with children of all ages. Here's a guide to some of the best spots where your little ones can play, explore, and have fun while you relax. See below for a handy list:
The Hideout is a recently opened, family-run indoor coffee shop and soft play centre. It boasts a cozy, two-tier play area, along with a matted section equipped with toys, sensory accessories, and books, making it a great spot for younger children to explore while parents enjoy a coffee.
Perfect for babies and younger children, Neptune's Soft Play offers a lovely two-tier play area with soft obstacles and slides. There’s also a separate area with a TV screen and comfortable seating, ideal for little ones to unwind after their playtime.
This charming play café combines the warmth of a coffee shop with a nature-themed play area. The wooden treehouse and soft play pen for babies provide a unique, engaging environment for children to explore while parents enjoy a cup of coffee.
Located within the Junction Sports Centre, Kidz Kingdom is a multi-level soft play centre that offers a variety of slides, tunnels, and climbing frames. It's an excellent choice for energetic children looking for a fun and active play session.
Rossmore Leisure Centre features a multi-level soft play area, complete with a ball pit, perfect for younger children. It’s a great spot for a quick play session, especially for families visiting the leisure centre.
Whether you’re looking for a full day of play or just a quick escape, Poole’s soft play centres and play cafés provide a variety of options to keep your little ones entertained and happy.