Market Street
The Guildhall Tavern
A seafood and grill restaurant on the same street as The Mariners. A lovely option to explore for dinner during your stay.
Visit websiteFOOD & DAYS OUT
Discover Poole.
Good food, harbour views and days out on the water. Start exploring from your own front door in the heart of Old Town.
LOCAL PUBS & RESTAURANTS
A table nearby.
A drink by the harbour.
A few local places to explore, all with their own character. Follow the links for current menus, opening times and table bookings.
Market Street
The Angel
The pub next door on Market Street—guaranteed for a fun night.
Visit websitePoole Quay
The Poole Arms
Seafood, cask ales and a harbourfront setting. Please note that under-18s are not permitted inside.
Visit websitePoole Quay
Custom House · Bistro & Bar
A relaxed bistro and bar in the historic Custom House on the Quay. Explore seasonal menus, coffee, cocktails and dining by the harbour.
Visit websiteHigh Street · close to Poole Quay
The Pickled Berry
Modern British dining and a bar at 16 High Street in Old Town, celebrating local Dorset produce. A nearby choice for lunch, dinner or Sunday lunch.
Visit website
Poole Quay · 2 High Street
Pi Pizza
Pizza, small plates and cocktails in a quayside setting, with outdoor harbourside dining. A relaxed option for a meal by the water.
Visit websiteLUSH · WHERE IT ALL STARTED
Poole roots.
A little time for yourself.
Founded in Poole in 1995, Lush has its headquarters here. Visit the original shop, book a spa experience or discover the HairLab salon during your stay.
The original Lush shop & spa
Visit 29 High Street, Lush’s first shop, for fresh handmade cosmetics. The Poole spa offers treatments upstairs; check availability and book directly with Lush.
Shop & spa detailsLush HairLab salon
Poole’s stand-alone HairLab salon offers haircuts, styling, botanical hair washing, henna and herbal head spa experiences. Explore the treatments and book your appointment directly.
Explore HairLabPOOLE MUSEUM · REIMAGINED
Old Town history.
A fresh discovery.
Poole Museum reopened in November 2025 following a £10.3 million transformation, with restored historic buildings and new spaces to explore.
Galleries & harbour stories
Explore six galleries across five floors, including immersive maritime displays, shipwreck finds and the remarkable Poole Iron Age Logboat. General admission is free.
Plan your museum visitScaplen’s Court & Garden
Discover the restored medieval merchant’s house, its herb garden and the Old Town Salt Pig café as part of the museum estate. A lovely addition to a wander around Old Town near the Quay.
Opening times & what’s onTHINGS TO DO
Take your time.
Find your kind of day.
BROWNSEA ISLAND
A ferry ride.
A world of its own.
Take a seasonal ferry from Poole Quay to Brownsea Island for woodland walks, wildlife and peaceful harbour views. The National Trust island is known for its red squirrels and varied habitats.
Check the National Trust’s current visiting information before setting out: opening dates, ferry services and admission arrangements vary through the year.
Plan your island visit
BEYOND POOLE · PURBECK & THE JURASSIC COAST
Cross the harbour.
A Dorset day out.
Take the Sandbanks chain ferry to Shell Bay, Studland, then explore Purbeck’s villages, castle ruins and coastal scenery.
Cross on the Sandbanks Ferry
The short crossing links Sandbanks with Shell Bay in Studland and carries cars, bicycles and foot passengers. It makes the journey part of your day out.
Check the current service and tolls before travelling, and allow extra time for queues in busy periods.
Plan your ferry crossingCorfe Castle & village
Continue through Purbeck to Corfe Castle for dramatic hilltop ruins, village streets and a leisurely stop for lunch or tea. Check the National Trust’s opening times and admission details.
Discover Corfe CastleThe Jurassic Coast
Explore the coastline beyond Studland, from the chalk formations at Old Harry Rocks to coastal walks and views around Swanage. Choose a route that suits your group and leave time to enjoy the scenery.
Old Harry Rocks coastal walkBIRDWATCHING · RSPB ARNE
Bring your binoculars.
Discover Arne.
Make time for birdwatching at RSPB Arne, a nature reserve on the shores of Poole Harbour. Explore heathland, woodland and wetlands, looking out for spoonbills, Dartford warblers and seasonal wading birds.
A peaceful Dorset day out from your base at The Mariners in Poole Old Town. Check the RSPB visitor guide for opening times, admission and current trail information before you go.
Plan your visit to RSPB ArnePOOLE HARBOUR TOURS
Around the harbour.
Past Brownsea Island.
Board a sightseeing cruise from Poole Quay to explore the harbour and enjoy views of Brownsea Island and the surrounding islands from the water.
Greenslade Pleasure Boats offers Sandbanks and harbour cruises. These tours return to Poole Quay; they are distinct from taking a ferry to land on Brownsea Island.
Explore harbour tours
STUDLAND · JURASSIC COAST
Old Harry Rocks.
A Dorset highlight.
Discover the white chalk stacks and arches at Old Harry Rocks, with open views across Poole Bay. Cross on the Sandbanks Ferry and make time for a coastal walk from Studland, or ask a local boat operator about seeing the coastline from the water.
One local legend links the name Old Harry Rocks to Poole’s famous privateer, Harry Paye. Discover his story back on the Quay at Pirates on the Quay.
The National Trust’s circular walk starts at South Beach in Studland. Follow its route guide and keep well back from the cliff edges.
Plan the coastal walk
AWARD-WINNING BEACHES
Sandbanks.
A day by the sea.
Soft sand, open sea views and room for a coastal stroll. Sandbanks is a long-standing Blue Flag beach, around a ten-minute drive from The Mariners, depending on traffic.
Check the council’s visitor guide for facilities, parking and seasonal beach arrangements.
Discover Sandbanks Beach
PRIVATE BOAT CHARTERS
Your people.
Your day on the water.
For something more personal, explore a private skippered charter from Poole. A day on the harbour or along the Dorset coast can be a memorable part of a family break or a weekend with friends.
Experience Charters offers private trips from Poole Quay. Discuss group size, the route and any particular needs directly with the operator.
Explore private charters
MORE WAYS TO ENJOY THE WATER
Catamaran charters
& fishing trips.
Choose a sailing charter or a fishing trip from Poole Quay.
Catamaran charters
Explore a private sailing charter aboard Koolau, a catamaran based in Poole Harbour. Discuss the sailing area, group size and itinerary directly with the operator.
Explore catamaran chartersFishing trips from Poole Quay
Several local operators offer sea fishing trips and private fishing charters departing from Poole Quay. Choose a trip suited to your experience and ask about tackle, bait and the meeting point.
Compare fishing operatorsDAYS ON THE WATER
Harbour days.
Good company.
SIMPLE HARBOUR PLEASURES
Crabbing on the Quay.
Bring a crab line and enjoy a little time together by the water, watching the fishing boats and seeing what you can spot.
Keep children close beside the harbour edge, handle any crabs gently and return them to the water.
FISHING TRIPS FROM POOLE QUAY
Cast off.
Cast a line.
With several fishing operators on the Quay, a sea angling trip is another way to enjoy the coast during your stay. Explore shared trips or ask about a private charter for your group.
Keep your eyes on the water too—you might spot a dolphin, a seal or even a mermaid 🧜🏾♀️
Sea Fishing Poole
Book a fishing trip or private charter through the Quay-based fishing and tackle business.
Trips & bookingsSilver Spray Charters
Angling trips aboard a purpose-built catamaran departing from Poole Quay.
Trips & bookingsDanny Boy 2
Charter fishing trips from Poole Quay, including sea angling, wreck and reef fishing.
Trips & bookingsCheck departure points, trip suitability, tackle and bait arrangements directly with your skipper. Sailings depend on weather and sea conditions.
LOCAL YACHT CLUBS & MARINAS
Ashore in Poole.
Staying for a sailing event, visiting a club or spending time around the marinas? The Mariners offers a whole-house base in Old Town.
Hamworthy
Poole Yacht Club
For visiting sailors and those attending club sailing events. Check visitor arrangements directly with the club.
Visitor informationParkstone
Parkstone Yacht Club
A base for sailing and open events on Poole Harbour. Visitor berths and access arrangements should be checked with the club.
Visitor informationPoole Quay
Poole Quay Boat Haven
A marina on the Quay, with visitor berthing close to Old Town. Follow the marina’s guide for current facilities and berth enquiries.
Visitor informationPoole Harbour
Port of Poole Marina
The sister marina to Poole Quay Boat Haven. Check location, transfer arrangements and visitor facilities with the operator.
Visitor informationHamworthy, Holes Bay
Cobb’s Quay Marina
A marina with boatyard facilities and visitor berthing in Poole Harbour. Check access and berth availability directly with MDL.
Visitor informationGETTING HERE & TRAVELLING ON
Arrive by rail.
Sail on to France
& the Channel Islands.
Make The Mariners your Old Town base for a Poole stay, or spend time here before or after your ferry crossing.
Poole railway station
Poole station is on Serpentine Road, with South Western Railway services. Plan your rail journey and onward walk or taxi to 24 Market Street using the station guide.
Train times & station informationFerries from Poole
Sail to St Malo in France via Guernsey with Brittany Ferries (around six hours), or travel to Guernsey (around three hours). DFDS sails from Poole to Jersey (around four and a half hours).
Stay in Old Town before setting sail or after your return from France or the Channel Islands.
Allow time to reach the ferry terminal and follow your operator’s check-in instructions. Check current sailing dates and travel requirements before booking.
St Malo via Guernsey · Brittany FerriesGuernsey · Brittany Ferries
Jersey · DFDS
Ferry terminal & arrival guide
Local businesses and activities are independently operated. Please check opening times, menus, sailing schedules, accessibility and booking terms directly with each provider.
Make Poole your base.
A harbour day, a good dinner and your own house to return to. Enquire about your dates at The Mariners.
Enquire about your stayLooking for something active?
Find cycling routes, sea swimming, paddleboarding, jet skis, kitesurfing and foiling in our Sports & outdoors guide.
Sports & outdoors