beach
Bournemouth Beach
A seven-mile stretch of golden sand along the Dorset coast, one of England's most popular seaside destinations.
8 km · about 15 min drive
England, United Kingdom · Europe
Poole works well as a base: 10 minutes from Canford Heath, 9km from Old Harry Rocks.
Poole is a city located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 151,500, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Poole sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Poole to your route.
Poole ( ) is a coastal town, seaport on the south coast of England and civil parish in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole unitary authority area in Dorset, England. The town is 21 miles (34 km) east of Dorchester and adjoins Bournemouth to the east. The town had an estimated population of 151,500 (mid-2016 censusRead more
estimates) making it the second-largest town in the ceremonial county of Dorset. Together with Bournemouth and Christchurch, the conurbation has a total population of 400,196 as of the 2021 census.
The settlement dates back to before the Iron Age. The earliest recorded use of the town's name was in the 12th century when the town began to emerge as an important port, prospering with the introduction of the wool trade. Later, the town had important trade links with North America and, at its peak during the 18th century, it was one of the busiest ports in Britain. In the Second World War, Poole was one of the main departing points for the Normandy landings.
Poole is a tourist resort, attracting visitors with its large natural harbour, history, the Lighthouse arts centre and Blue Flag beaches. The town has a commercial port with cross-Channel freight and passenger ferry services, which connect with the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, as well as the French port town of Saint-Malo, Brittany.
The headquarters of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is in Poole, and the Royal Marines have a base in the town's harbour. Despite their names, Poole is the home of The Arts University Bournemouth, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and a significant part of Bournemouth University.
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Poole offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Poole is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 50.7143 latitude, -1.9846 longitude.
Poole has a population of approximately 151,500 people, making it a city in United Kingdom.
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Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United Kingdom8 notable places within an hour's drive.
beach
A seven-mile stretch of golden sand along the Dorset coast, one of England's most popular seaside destinations.
8 km · about 15 min drive
natural wonder
Iconic chalk sea stacks marking the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast, standing as sentinels against the English Channel.
9 km · about 15 min drive
castle
Atmospheric ruins of a thousand-year-old royal castle perched on a hilltop, dramatically slighted during the English Civil War.
10 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
A remarkable collection of rare and unique motorcycles in the New Forest assembled by legendary trials rider Sammy Miller.
19 km · about 20 min drive
natural wonder
Almost perfectly circular cove formed by the sea eroding through Portland limestone, creating one of the world's finest examples of coastal geology.
21 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Iconic natural limestone arch jutting into the sea on Dorset's Jurassic Coast, one of the most photographed landmarks in Britain.
23 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Three distinctive chalk sea stacks rising from the sea off the western tip of the Isle of Wight, topped by a red-and-white striped lighthouse.
29 km · about 35 min drive
national park
Ancient royal hunting ground where wild ponies and deer roam freely through 219 square miles of heathland, woodland and coastal marshes.
32 km · about 35 min drive
April to October
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