Green tourism, sustainable tourism, and eco-tourism—there are so many names for them, but the definition remains the same: low-impact, environmentally friendly tourism that values, enhances, and protects the environment.
The Bournemouth and Poole surrounding areas are one of great natural beauty, with its 10 miles of golden beaches, the world’s second largest natural harbour, and more award-winning parks and beaches than any other destination!
We are committed to ensuring our natural environment is beautiful for visitors and residents to enjoy all year round; please help preserve it for future generations. Here are some easy steps to ensure you get the most out of your visit and help preserve this beautiful area.
Don’t let Poole, Christchurch and Bournemouth go to waste!
We want you to enjoy a clean and litter-free environment, so throughout the towns (and seafront), there are recycling and non-recycling bins for everyone to use. However, we would ask that if you cannot find a bin, please take your rubbish with you.
Remember, “Litter-free coast and sea!”
Try Local, Buy Local - Tickle your tastebuds
We produce some of the best-quality food and drink in the country and want to share it! With a reputation for freshly caught fish, organic blue cheeses, and specialist breads, Dorset Food draws on centuries of expertise and learning and has a reputation that’s well deserved. Visit one of the many local food festivals or relax in a tearoom and indulge yourself with our local Dorset apple cake—treat yourself to a uniquely Dorset experience! Poole has some fantastic locally caught fish restaurants, so try them!
Poole is also an accredited Fairtrade town, showing Poole’s commitment to supporting Fairtrade and using products with the Fairtrade mark. Businesses and organisations across Bournemouth and Poole have been recognised for their commitment to serving up sustainable fish by becoming one of the first sustainable fish cities.
Local food, tourism, and hospitality have started working together through the Real Local Flavour project to increase the number of local products found in menus and accommodation breakfasts. Sampling fantastic local food and drink makes your visit more memorable, so look out for the great range of local foods available and treat yourself to a unique experience!
Explore what’s on your doorstep and discover a different world
There’s something exciting to be found around every corner, so stretch your legs and explore what’s on our doorstep. Poole and Bournemouth have award winning parks, gardens, and beaches. Discover the chines that lead to the beaches or take two wheels. Cycle maps are available from the Tourist Information Centre.
Go to Swanage on the open-top bus over the ferry—the best bus ride anywhere. Give the car and driver a holiday; it’s a much better view by bus, boat, or train. Poole and Bournemouth are well served by public transport, or try a local guided tour of the area and discover the hidden gems with an expert. Stretch your legs and enjoy some of the fantastic walks in the area.
These boots ain't made for walking; don't worry, there are lots of activities to do on the water, whether it's a boat trip enjoying the sights or, for the more energetic, one of our vast array of watersports! Check out the Poole afloat section for ideas.
Turn it on but don’t forget to turn off!
Help us save energy and water; please only use what you need. Turn down the thermostat; we all want a room with a view, not a room with a phew! Stars can be seen more clearly in darker surroundings, so turn down the lights and gaze at the star-filled skies.
Look after the Coast and Countryside - show you care
Our world-famous coastline and stunning countryside are yours to enjoy. Please take litter home, keep dogs under close control, close gates, consider other people… You can still have a great time! Poole and Bournemouth are surrounded by heathland and woodland, which can get tinder dry in the summer months, so please be careful.
Look for Tourism that Cares
Keep an eye out for tourism businesses that have been awarded for caring for their local communities and environment. The Green Tourism Business Scheme and the David Bellamy Awards are two examples. Visit England Welcome Schemes highlight operators that provide facilities or services to welcome certain groups. If you're a walker or cyclist, for example, you know how helpful it is to stay somewhere that offers facilities like a room to dry wet clothes, so look out for Walkers Welcome and Cyclists Welcome logos on accommodation that does this and much more.
Poole – Your Electric Vehicle-Friendly Destination
Are you one of the growing band of electric vehicle drivers? With the installation of rapid electric vehicle chargers, Poole is now an electric vehicle-friendly destination, and we look forward to welcoming you!
You can ‘top up’ your car from any of the ChargerNet partnership network of 17 rapid chargers in Poole and beyond, allowing you to recharge your electric vehicle to 80% in around 30 minutes. Charge locations Poole.
There’s never been a better time to visit Poole and the beautiful Jurassic Coast with your electric vehicle.
With blue-flag beaches, green-flag parks, and areas of outstanding natural beauty, our area has a world-class environment for you to enjoy.
Best of all, many of these natural and historic gems can be enjoyed for free. Forget admission fees as you enjoy the natural thrill of a Dorset clifftop view, the delights of cycling through Dorset's countryside, or relax on one of our blue-flag beaches.
But most of all, enjoy your visit to our area, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.
