Not to miss

Poole Lighthouse

The town's arts hub, Poole Lighthouse hosts a lively events calendar including live music, theatre, film and exhibitions.

Local History Centre

This small but impressive centre can be found, thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, in the historic town cellars at the back of the Waterfront Museum . It offers an in-depth history of Poole including archaeology, architecture, transport and local families. Naturally, Poole's maritime past is a drawcard, pooling information on trade and industry.

Waterfront Museum

A pleasant place to dawdle, Poole's old town and harbour are lined with pubs, restaurants and shops, often in grand old 18th-century buildings. The Waterfront Museum charts the town's history, with exhibits on smuggling, pirates and the distinctive Poole Pottery. It also displays an intriguing hand-chiselled, Iron Age log boat, dredged up from the harbour.