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There is nothing quite like a brisk hike or casual stroll along the Poole seafront between Branksome Chine and Sandbanks, sipping a take away coffee, enjoying the promenade art, throwing a ball to your deliriously happy dog!
Beyond the beach there are many beautiful places to explore and enjoy such as Poole Harbour, a stunning location, fringed with unspoilt woodland and coastal walks. Europe’s largest natural harbour is a site of nature conservation, a wetland teeming with wading birds with many international protections in place. It is a Ramsar site which recognises wetlands of international importance particularly for wildfowl. It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) which recognises the country's most spectacular and beautiful habitats and a Special Protection Area (SPA).
The Harbour is also a thriving mecca for water sports enthusiasts to safely enjoy this Easter. With over a dozen yacht clubs and marinas, the harbour is alive with all types of craft and the appeal of safe sailing attracts all ages and abilities keen to get on the water. With the correct permits you can also water ski, wake board, kite surf, wind surf, indulge in stand-up paddling and even jet ski.
The Quay is at the centre of historic Poole and as the days get warmer and sunnier there's a wonderful, spring like atmosphere. Along the quayside look out for tall ships, fishing vessels and luxury Sunseeker power boats and in non-pandemic times you can board ferries to take you to Brownsea Island and cruise ships which navigate the breath-taking Harbour. Crabbing is a family favourite by the water and the many quayside restaurants, cafes and kiosks will be offering takeaway food and drink, including of course exceptional fish n’ chips and mouth-watering seafood.
Poole Museum is an impressive landmark in The Old Town with its modern glass atrium blending into the Victorian architecture of the former quayside warehouse. The Poole Cockle Trail Self-Guided Walk is a lovely way to retrace the town’s rich 750-year-old historical heritage as well learning about present day landmarks, following the brass plaques embedded in the pavement. Poole Museum is temporarily closed for redevelopment.
Just a short walk away from Poole Quay is the beautifully green and leafy Poole Park, with play parks, crazy golf and family activities, tennis courts, a cricket pitch and a large boating lake also populated by swans, geese and ducks and many other species of resident and visiting birds.
Upton Country Park boasts acres of woodland, beautiful botanical Walled Garden, the Pleasure Grounds (the area between the Georgian Upton House and the shoreline), children’s play areas and various walk and cycle trails. There are other amazing outdoor venues in the wider area that should be on your list at Easter, such as the 12th Century Sherborne Old Castle in North Dorset with its plethora of wildlife, birds, and acres of woodland. Further west in the Dorset countryside there is the iconic thousand-year-old Corfe Castle and just outside Christchurch, the blooming grounds of the 19th century Highcliffe Castle and the nearby Steamer Point Nature Reserve are well worth a visit
Poole is a very cycle friendly town with its numerous bike trails, hire companies and the super successful Beryl Bike community cycle scheme which stretches across to Bournemouth and Christchurch too.
There's also plenty of chances for tennis, (Poole Park, Branksome Park Tennis) golf (Parkstone Golf Club) and of course open water swimming in the sea!
Attractions such as The Tank Museum, The Oceanarium, Monkey World, Paulton’s Park and Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park are all waiting to welcome you as the holidays approach.
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