Jane's Midlife Journey

The historic Poole Quay, which was once used to moor ocean-going ships, is now the home of harbour cruisers and pleasure boats. The half mile log stretch running west to east from the Lifeboat Station at one end to the Old Lifeboat Station at the other is a popular tourist destination. Lined with bars and restaurants with seating providing great views across the harbour, the area now caters to tourists rather than sailors and pirates.

How to get to Poole Quay

Poole Quay is just to the south of Poole town centre. By car, it is possible to drive to Poole Quay in winter. In summer however, the area is pedestrianised. In any case, the one-way-system and traffic mean that it’s easier to head for one of the nearby car parks and walk to the quay.

By Bus

Most buses to Poole stop at Poole Bus Station and are both a 15 minute walk away. Alternatively, you can catch the RouteONE bus, which connects both the bus and train stations to the quay. In the summer, the 70 Breezer bus stops at Old Orchard, just north of the quay.

Poole Station is also a 15 minute walk away with direct trains to Bournemouth and London.

Parking

Th quay has its own car park; Quay Visitors Car Park. Parking costs start at £2.50 for two hours. Further details can be found here.

Poole Museum

Housed in a former grain storage warehouse, Poole Museum is the place to go to learn about Poole’s History. Note: Poole Museum is closed until autumn 2025 for redevelopment.

Poole Old Lifeboat Museum

At the eastern end of the quay is Poole Old Lifeboat Museum. This former lifeboat station is now a museum telling the story of Poole’s lifeboats. It houses the Thomas Kirk Wright. This retired lifeboat not only saved lives in the harbour, but was one of 850 ‘little ships’ which sailed to Normandy in 1940 to rescue Allied troops trapped on the beaches.

The museum is open daily from 31 March from 10.30 am (1 pm on Sunday) until 4 pm. Entry is free.

Sea Music Sculpture

The huge Sea Music Sculpture by artist Anthony Caro invokes memories of cascading waves, sails and the echo of the sea. It is surrounded by an elevated walkway for better views of the sculpture and the quayside.

Restaurants

There are plenty of restaurants and cafes along the quayside. Try Harlees for traditional Fish & Chips.

Oriel on the Quay is another popular restaurant with a diverse menu from breakfast to dinner. The sandwiches here are a great lunch time choice.

Newcomer La Mia’s has a Mediterranean vibe, specialising in tapas and also does great cocktails.

Bars

The bars along the quayside were once the haunts of smugglers and pirates. The pirates may be gone, but many of the building retain their olde world charm. The uniquely green tiled Poole Arms is believed to be Poole’s oldest pub dating back to the early 17th Century.

Baden Powell Statue

Sitting on a bollard overlooking Brownsea Island is a statue of Robert Baden Powell, founder of the Scout Movement. It was on Brownsea Island in 1907 that Baden Powell held his first scout camp.

Harbour Cruises

From here you can pick up a boat to set sail on a Harbour Cruise, or further afield along the Jurassic Coast to Swanage. There are a number of cruise options from a spin round the harbour to a fish & chip supper cruise or even a murder mystery cruise. Tickets can be purchased online or from the ticket booths on the quayside.

Brownsea Island Ferry

The Brownsea Island Ferry, which links the largest island in Poole Harbour to the mainland, also departs from here.

Brownsea Island is open daily from 15 March until 2 November. Entry to the island costs £11 (free to National Trust members) plus £14.50 for the ferry crossing.

Sunseekers

Across the water, you can admire the work of Poole boatbuilders Sunseekers. Something for the shopping list?

Summer Entertainment

During the summer, there are events which take place on a weekly basis. You can wander along the quay admiring classic cars and bikes and enjoy live entertainment and firework displays. Weekly entertainment for 2025 is as follows:

• Tuesday (from 1 April until 30 September) – Bike Night
• Thursday (from 3 July until 14 August) – Fireworks
• Friday (from 4 July until 29 August) – Car Night (a different theme of classic car each week from Land Rovers to Hot Rods)
• Saturday (from 26 July until 30 August) – Summer Sounds
• Sunday (from 27 July until 24 August) -Summer Sounds

In addition, there is an Art, Antiques and Collectables Market on the following Sundays:

• 11 May
• 8 June
• 6 July
• 25 August (Bank Holiday Monday)

Events and Festivals

During the summer months and beyond, there is plenty of entertainment on Poole Quay. Some of the events held held throughout 2025 are:

• 1 January – Bath Race and Classic Cars (cancelled due to bad weather)
• 10 May – Miniature Steam Fair
• 18 May – Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride
• 11 to 23 June – Nao Santa María (replica Spanish galleon)
• 14 June – Harry Paye Day
• 21 June – Folk Festival
• 13 July – Poole goes Vintage
• 8 to 11 August – Steamship Shieldhall
• 10 August – Poole Lifeboat Station Open Day
• 9 to 10 September Paddle Steamer Waverley
• 13 to 14 September – Seafood & Sounds
• 5 November – Fireworks
• 29 November – Candles of the Quay
• December – Christmas Maritime Light Trail

All the above events are free to attend, with the exception of the Nao Santa María, which costs £10.

Poole Quay for Children

Most of the activities and events on Poole Quay are family friendly. Harry Paye Pirate Day is particularly popular with children. As is crabbing off the quay itself. If the weather is bad, there is also Neptune’s Soft Play

• Updated: May 2025

I hope you found this information useful. For more inspiration on things to do in and around Bournemouth, check out my 101 Things to do in Bournemouth here.