One of the best things to do while in town is to pay a visit to Poole Harbour and its beautiful array of houses, boats, shops, and some of the best places to eat in Poole. In the midst of all the action, right on The Quay, you’ll find Poole Museum – an inspiring attraction that celebrates the story of the town and its people shaped by the sea.
Poole Museum
Essential Information
Step inside Poole Museum and explore six captivating galleries spread across five floors. Highlights include three immersive maritime spaces – Harbour Life, Setting Sail, and Shipwreck! – where you can dive into tales of adventure and discovery. There are interactive exhibits, family-friendly trails, and two flexible spaces hosting a lively programme of touring and temporary exhibitions.
You’ll find a vibrant calendar of events, workshops, and activities to keep things fresh and exciting, plus a museum shop packed with locally inspired gifts and products – perfect for picking up a memento of your visit. Best of all, entry is free, so you can take your time and come back whenever you like.
Don’t miss the Poole Iron Age Logboat – nearly 10 metres long and the largest ever found in Southern Britain. It’s an incredible piece of history, proudly on display alongside collections that span from prehistory to the present day, including social history displays and the famous Poole pottery collection.
Scaplen’s Court & Garden
Scaplen’s Court is a beautifully preserved medieval merchant’s house dating back to the 1300s. Its walled herb and physic garden is a peaceful escape right in the heart of the quayside. While you’re there, pop into The Old Town Salt Pig café – the perfect spot to relax with a hot drink and soak up the atmosphere.
Accessibility info Poole Museum believes that history and culture should be for everyone. The entire ground floor is on one level, with a larger lift in Oakley’s Mill and a platform lift in Scaplen’s Court. Generous circulation areas, clear orientation spaces, and ground-floor
accessible toilets in both Poole Museum and Scaplen’s Court make it easy for every visitor to explore comfortably and independently.
Nearby highlights
When you’ve had your fill of Poole history, there’s plenty to explore in the surrounding area. Just over the road is The Little Teapot for a cosy coffee, or head to Drift Micro Bar around the corner for a pint or a G&T – a highlight of Poole nightlife.
Poole Museum
