Poole

Poole is in Dorset, on the south coast of England. Holes Bay, Poole

• Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, BH13 7EE, +44 1202 707744. A National Trust site, famous for its large population of red squirrels, and as the birthplace of the Scout Movement. The animals on the island are very tame and will happily wander up to you. It can be reached by boat from the quay but note that the price of the boat trip does not include admittance to the island.
• Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, BH21 4EA, +44 1202 883402. A large house and estate that was owned by the Bankes family and donated to the National Trust in the 1980s. The house contains paintings, furniture and Egyptian artefacts accumulated over 300 years.
• Lighthouse, 21 Kingland Road, BH15 1UG.
• Upton Country Park, Poole Road, BH17 7BJ. Oct-Mar: 8AM-6PM, Apr-Sep: 8AM-9PM. It has a surrounding woodland with many footpaths. It also has various birdwatching sites overlooking holes bay. By the main Upton House there are two tea rooms where one can enjoy tea and cake for around £3. free.

Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, BH13 7EE, +44 1202 707744. A National Trust site, famous for its large population of red squirrels, and as the birthplace of the Scout Movement. The animals on the island are very tame and will happily wander up to you. It can be reached by boat from the quay but note that the price of the boat trip does not include admittance to the island.

Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, BH21 4EA, +44 1202 883402. A large house and estate that was owned by the Bankes family and donated to the National Trust in the 1980s. The house contains paintings, furniture and Egyptian artefacts accumulated over 300 years.

Lighthouse, 21 Kingland Road, BH15 1UG.

Upton Country Park, Poole Road, BH17 7BJ. Oct-Mar: 8AM-6PM, Apr-Sep: 8AM-9PM. It has a surrounding woodland with many footpaths. It also has various birdwatching sites overlooking holes bay. By the main Upton House there are two tea rooms where one can enjoy tea and cake for around £3. free.

• Kite flying. From the quay, when facing the water turn left and walk for about half a mile until you reach a park. This is known as Baiter Park and is very close to Poole Park. On a good day, the kites will probably be visible from afar.
• In the summer, there are fireworks displays alternately in Bournemouth and Poole.
• Every Tuesday evening from April to September, motorbike enthusiasts converge on Poole. Apparently there are sometimes as many as 1000 cycles and, of course, the pubs on the Quay do good business from them. A good opportunity to swap tales or see what everyone else is riding. All parking on the quay is reserved for motorbikes but there is a charge of £1 and a prize for the best bike.
• Jet Ski Safaris, 40 Salterns Way, Poole, BH14 8JR, +44 1202 706784. Jet ski experience & jet ski training.
• Tower Park, indoor waterpark, movie theatre, various restaurants, bingo, and more.

Jet Ski Safaris, 40 Salterns Way, Poole, BH14 8JR, +44 1202 706784. Jet ski experience & jet ski training.

• Westfield Dolphin Shopping Centre, 110 Dolphin Centre, BH15 1SZ (3 minutes walk from Poole Station, +44 1202 673906. M-Sa 8:30AM-6PM, Su 10:30AM-5PM. A large indoor shopping centre with the usual high street brands including Marks and Spencer, Boots, Next and Primark.

Westfield Dolphin Shopping Centre, 110 Dolphin Centre, BH15 1SZ (3 minutes walk from Poole Station, +44 1202 673906. M-Sa 8:30AM-6PM, Su 10:30AM-5PM. A large indoor shopping centre with the usual high street brands including Marks and Spencer, Boots, Next and Primark.

Most restaurants are along the quay, but there are a number of great eateries further into the Old Town.

• Storm, 16 High St, BH15 1BP, +44 1202 674970. serves mostly fish dishes with seafood caught locally the same day. mains £16-20.
• Tandoori Nights, 50 High St, BH15 1BT, +44 1202 679712. An excellent curry house, which can get quite busy Friday and Saturday nights.
• Branksome Beach, Pinecliff Rd, Branksome Chine (Located at the foot of Pinewood Road, looking out over Poole Bay, +44 1202 767235. Its ground floor restaurant and first floor cafe which are perfect for a Saturday afternoon coffee reading the papers or a more formal dinner in the evening. The adjoining car park tends to get busy during the summer season with beach-goers, so it is advisable to park a few minutes away and walk down.

Storm, 16 High St, BH15 1BP, +44 1202 674970. serves mostly fish dishes with seafood caught locally the same day. mains £16-20.

Tandoori Nights, 50 High St, BH15 1BT, +44 1202 679712. An excellent curry house, which can get quite busy Friday and Saturday nights.

Branksome Beach, Pinecliff Rd, Branksome Chine (Located at the foot of Pinewood Road, looking out over Poole Bay, +44 1202 767235. Its ground floor restaurant and first floor cafe which are perfect for a Saturday afternoon coffee reading the papers or a more formal dinner in the evening. The adjoining car park tends to get busy during the summer season with beach-goers, so it is advisable to park a few minutes away and walk down.

There are lots of pubs along the quay and a little inland.

• Bournemouth is nearby and has other places to visit, such as the oceanarium.
• MonkeyWorld, near Wareham, is about 30 minutes away by car.
• The New Forest is about an hour away by car and very popular in the summer.