The South coast of England has long been the weekend away spot for Londoners. Particularly during the industrial revolution and right up to the 1960’s, prior to the availability of mass air travel, the likes of Brighton, Bournemouth and Poole were seen as classic sea resorts.
Visit today during the summer months, and while the crowds aren’t quiet as densely packed onto the beaches as they once were, there’s an undeniable charm to these towns. None encapsulates the spirit more than Poole, and you’d be surprise at home much is on offer in this little town.
Sandbanks
No trip to a seaside town like Poole would be complete without a venture down to the beach, and the Sandbanks alone are worth the trip. Spread along a thin finger of land into the English Channel, the golden dunes of the Sandbanks are amongst the most iconic of Britain’s beaches. If you’re looking for more to do beyond sunbathing, there’s crazy golf and a number of cafes to choose from.
Brownsea Island
Accessible by a regular boat service, Brownsea Island is the place to be if you want to seek out local wildlife. The ever rare red squirrel can often be spotted on the island in September and October. You’re also likely to see a great deal of birds on and around the island including spoonbills, godwits and avocets. For those interested in history, Brownsea Island is also home to the first ever Scout camp, led by Robert Baden-Powell in 1907.
Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park
Keeping young kids entertained on holiday can be tricky, but Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park has been delighting kids and parents alike for many years. Hosting a wide variety of animals, some common and some not so common, including pigs, ponies, deer, and even alpacas! The park is open throughout most of the year, apart from January and offers plenty to keep the kids entertained for hours.
Poole Speedway
For those looking for something more exciting than a trip to a farm park, then look no further than Poole Speedway. Home of the Poole Pirates, a night at the Speedway is an intense way to spend an evening as the league continues to heat up. Tickets aren’t extortionate, and staff in the speedway track are renowned for their helpfulness.
Poole Town
The town itself is well known as being a nice place to spend an evening thanks to the number of restaurants and bars on offer. The bistro restaurant in the local Hotel du Vin, found on the town’s Thames Street is a local highlight, and fans of seafood won’t want to miss Rick Stein’s restaurant. If you’re out for the evening, the likes of the Foundry Arms and the Kings Head are great for a pint.
RNLI Memorial Sculpture
Being a town with a strong maritime past, it’s hardly surprising that Poole has a deep respect for the RNLI. Having served the town and surrounding areas, and ensuring the safety of the public for decades, the work of the RNLI is immortalised in a beautiful sculpture in the town. Depicting a man being pulled from the water, the sculpture carries the names of service people going back generations.
Poole offers more than your standard seaside town visit. A whole world is waiting to be discovered.
