Explore Poole (Dorset) Seaside, Coast and Beaches

Poole is a large coastal town and port in Dorset. Poole is a very popular tourist resort and location within Dorset to the east of the Jurassic Coast. It is really split into four parts. Pool town grew up around the harbour and port. Nowadays you have the modern parts but also the Old Town and Poole Quay. The Quay has a range of traditional pubs, new bars and redeveloped warehouses. The natural harbour is the largest natural harbour in Europe and claims to be the second largest in the world after Sydney Harbour. This is a very popular location for watersports and in particular sailing and windsurfing. Brownsea Island is the largest of the islands in Poole Harbour and managed by the National Trust. The island offers woodland and heath with a wide variety of wildlife and was the home of the experimental camp in 1907 that led to the formation of the Scout movement in 1908. The beaches face into Pool bay which also includes the towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch. Unlike the other towns Poole has the beaches outside the main town and this gives nearly 5 km (3.0 miles) of sandy beaches. The Blue Flag beaches are divided into four areas: Sandbanks, Shore Road, Canford Cliffs and Branksome Chine. The whole Poole seafront is patrolled by lifeguards and you have a wide selection of safes, restaurants, beach huts and watersports facilities making this a great location for all types of visitors from families with young and teenage children to those looking for a more active holiday.