Jane's Midlife Journey

Seafood & Sounds is, as the name suggests, a festival combining seafood and live music, which takes place each September in and around Poole Quay.

How to get to Seafood & Sounds

Poole is 6 miles west of Bournemouth along the A338/A35. Poole Quay is just to the south of the town centre.

By Bus

Most buses to Poole stop at Poole Bus Station, which is a 15 minute walk away from the quay. In the summer, the 70 Breezer bus is a slower but more scenic option. It 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 in one direction and Weymouth in the other.

If you don’t want to walk, you can catch the RouteONE bus, which connects both the bus and train stations to the quay.

Parking

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

Times

The festival runs over a weekend in September, starting with a parade on Saturday morning. The dates for 2025 are:

• Saturday 13th September
• Sunday 14th September

2026 details are yet to be announced.

Price

The festival entertainment is all free.

Details

The action takes place in and around Poole Quay at several different locations.

Parade

The weekend kicks off with a parade, starting at the Slug & Lettuce, marching though the old town and onto the quay. It includes music (this year, drummers from Samba Panashe), followed by children from local community groups dressed up in sea creature themed fancy dress. Rounded of with a group of local pirates.

We ran into some pirates before the parade and Orla was absolutely fascinated. Especially when she was given a gun!

Music

There is live music all afternoon featuring 24 acts performing on six different stages on Poole Quay and the surrounding areas. In addition, there is live evening music in various local pubs and restaurants.

Food

Restaurants

Seafood dishes are available from several of the restaurants along the quay. Many have a special menu for the festival.

Quayside

In addition, there are pop up seafood stalls along the quay. These offer a range of seafood including fresh local fish & shellfish, fishcakes, sushi and paella.

Unfortunately, there was a gap between the end of the parade and the opening of the food stalls, during which Orla got rather hangry and we ended up in Asda…

Cruise

A seafood afternoon tea cruise taken aboard a boat in Poole Harbour is also on offer from Coastal Cruises.

Other Locations

Scaplen’s Court

The newly renovated Scaplen’s Court hosts an Artisan Market featuring local produce including seaweed spiced rum, honey infused vinegar, candles and jewellery.

And one of our favourite moments from the festival – an oversized deckchair complete with photo props.

St James Church

St James Church offers a schedule of entertainment including music and storytelling.

Street Theatre

Scaplen’s Community Players; a local historical theatre group that focuses on storytelling, drama and music, perform in the old town.

Charity

The event’s chosen charity this year was Forest Holme Hospice, a cause which is very close to our hearts. They had a couple of stalls on the quayside. Orla was very pleased to win a bar of chocolate in the tombola.

Seafood & Sounds for Children

There is plenty to keep children entertained throughout the weekend.

Parade

Starting with the parade. Not only fun for children to watch, it offers prizes for the best fancy dress outfit, the best seafood mask and the best decorated fish on a stick.

Entertainment

Throughout the weekend, children’s entertainment takes place outside the Amusements on The Quay, including the popular Jamie Jigsaw.

There are also children’s activities at the Hotel du Vin and St James’ Church.

Oyster Trail

More family fun is on offer with the Oyster Trail running throughout the weekend: A treasure hunt where you are looking for decorated oyster shells hidden throughout the Old Town and the Quay. Each of the oyster shells is decorated and features a letter which, when all are collected, will form a phrase. There are prizes on offer for this too.

• Updated: September 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.

For more inspiration on things to do in and around Bournemouth with young children, check out my 101 Things to do in Bournemouth with Babies and Toddlers here.