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A lot of people wonder, what is it like to live in Poole? You may have heard of our fabulous water sports scene, the luxurious beaches at Sandbanks, or our close links to Dorset and the World Heritage Jurassic Coast. There are many reasons people enjoy living in Poole; here are some that might appeal to you.
Poole is home to Europe’s largest natural harbour and some of the best beaches in the UK, located just three miles away from the main town. In the Old Town and Quayside, you will discover a rich maritime history waiting to be explored.
In many ways, Poole really has it all. If you’re looking for a healthy outdoor lifestyle, a family friendly place to settle, or you’ve just always wanted to live near the coast, this might just be the place for you. We also have excellent health support in the area.
When moving to a new place, it’s important to familiarise yourself. Luckily, living on the south coast makes things a little easier, since everything is located in relation to that! To the West of Poole lies the Isle of Purbeck, the World Heritage Jurassic Coast and the rest of Dorset. To the East is Bournemouth with its seafront city centre and Christchurch which borders the New Forest National Park. Once you familiarise yourself you’ll soon get your bearings. You can always check out our beach pages to learn more about our fabulous coastal setting.
Poole’s historic quayside is at the heart of its community. The waterside restaurants and pubs face out onto a working quay that host many ships, boats and super yachts entering and leaving the harbour. Fishing is a large industry for Poole which is represented by the many fantastic seafood restaurants in the town. As you step away from the quay and navigate the cobbled streets of Poole Old Town it’s hard not to imagine the history behind these stunning buildings, many of which are now occupied by independent stores and local brands.
Poole Harbour is proudly Europe’s largest natural harbour and the second biggest in the world behind Sydney. The enormous expanse of water is a hive of activity big and small, from the many wakeboarders, wind surfers and paddle boarders who leap at a chance to get on the water, to the large ferries coming and going from France and the Channel Islands. The Harbour is home to several islands the largest of which, Brownsea Island, is owned byNational Trust and is a popular visitors attraction with boats operating to the island from Poole Quay and Sandbanks in season.
East of the town centre towards Bournemouth lies the residential suburbs of Parkstone and Branksome. Parkstone is divided into two halves with the lower area being closer to the beaches and the upper encompassing a larger residential area. In Lower Parkstone you will also find Ashley Cross; a grass square area surrounded with shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. This is also where Parkstone Train Station is located. Directly to the east of Parkstone is Branksome, another residential area with beautiful sandy beaches and further commercial outlets. Travelling towards Bournemouth, Branksome will take you into Westbourne, a charming coastal village with a Highstreet full of cafes and boutique stores.
Situated between Shore Road and Branksome Chine beaches is the affluent and desirable suburb of Canford Cliffs. The beach has Blue Flag status and is often quieter than neighbouring hotspots. In the area you will also find Canford Cliffs Village, a small shopping avenue which offers restaurants and local shops.
The reputation of Sandbanks as one of the most exclusive areas in the country, constantly precedes it. But alongside its extravagant residences, the area is enjoyed by locals and holiday makers alike. The blue flag beaches and serene setting attract visitors all year round and the famous sand spit is also home to some of the best seafood restaurants in the area. At the tip of Sandbanks, you can also take the chain ferry to Studland; gateway to the Isle of Purbeck and The Jurassic Coast.
The four-minute ferry crossing will take you into the beautiful area of Studland, the tip of the Isle of Purbeck and the most easterly point on the Jurassic coast. With four miles of beautiful beaches, the sheltered waters are ideal for beach games, sandcastles, water sports or simply relaxing. Other notable areas on the Isle of Purbeck include, Corfe Castle, Kimmeridge Bay, Old Harry Rocks, the town of Swanage and a plethora of other natural delights.
To the west of Poole you will find Hamworthy, Upton, Lytchett Bay and Holes Bay. The environment here is less coastal and resembles something more akin to parts of rural Dorset. With the quieter bays and lagoons of Poole Harbour, they offer a slightly different perspective of Poole and have good access to explore the Purbecks. With a train station on the Waterloo to Weymouth line, Hamworthy in particular offers great access to East Dorset.
Poole isn't just a great place to live, there are plenty of reasons why you should think about working here to. Find out more by visiting our working in Poole page.
The Lighthouse on Kingland Road plays a pivotal role in local arts and culture. The centre is one of the largest arts venues outside of London and contains four auditoria. With world class facilities, the centre hosts a variety of performances, festivals and films and is also home to the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra who play a variety of classical performances throughout the year.
The tranquil and expansive Poole Park is a popular place for locals offering 110 acres of parkland, activities and play parks for families and a large saltwater lake that welcomes water sports. The urban park borders Poole Harbour and is only a short walk from the centre of town.
Poole is lucky in that once you’re here it has great cycle links and is easily traversed on foot. Here is some further information for when you do have to travel that extra distance around the resort.
Poole is linked by the A31 to the M27, and from there to the M3 towards London. The A350 runs north from Poole to Bristol, and the A35 westwards from Poole towards Dorchester and Exeter. There are plenty of places to park in Poole, check out the councils find a car park page for more information.
The main train line to Poole runs from London Waterloo to Weymouth operated by South Western Railway. Trains from Waterloo take around 2 hours and stop at four stations within Poole – Branksome, Parkstone, Poole and Hamworthy.
The Port of Poole has a busy ferry terminal with rail, bus, cycle and road links. Ferries arrive into Poole Port from; Cherbourg in Normandy, Saint-Malo in Brittany and the Channel Islands - Jersey and Guernsey. Many ferries also offer free cycle transportation if you pre-book.
Our local bus operator morebus offers great travel services around the destination, with regular routes connecting Poole to Bournemouth and Christchurch. There are also buses which go further out to Salisbury, Swanage and the Purbecks – visiting Poole and the surrounding areas couldn’t be easier, just hop on and hop off!
A regular coach service with National Express is available throughout the country and links towns, cities and airports offering shuttle services to Dorset as well as around Dorset.
PRC Streamline, Dorset's premier taxi fleet cover Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and surrounding Dorset. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For more information you can always refer to our travel information page.
Renaissance Retirement is situated on Sandbanks Road in Poole, this fantastic new development is situated next to the picturesque Poole Park where a gentle stroll can take you around lakes, lagoons and alongside Marinas in minutes. The beautiful development comprises 32 apartments, which has a bus stop right outside and is only a short walk from an array of local amenities. It really is a place to relax, enjoy the surroundings and socialise with other owners, friends and family.
If you’ve ever dreamt of living by the sea, then moving to Poole will doubtlessly appeal to you. Before you find your perfect new home, you might wish to view our Accommodation page for any short-term needs. Whether it’s a hotel, guest house or self-catering, our friendly partner businesses will be happy to help you feel at home as soon as you arrive.
Poole contains some fantastic retirement and care homes in world class locations for those seeking clean coastal air and a slower pace of life.
Looking to rent or buy? You can find all sorts of places in Poole, from quaint historic houses, many of which are converted into affordable flats, to exciting new-builds that are popping up around the area. Whether it’s a bungalow by the beach, a family home in the leafy suburbs or a flat in the town centre.
Our destination is well known for its education. With two state of the art Universities, studying in Poole is a truly great place to get upskilled or start a career.
Bournemouth University (BU) and Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) are both located on Talbot Campus, in Wallisdown, Poole. The illustrious campus is just on the edge of the Poole/Bournemouth border and includes many facilities for students and residents. The campus is a 25-minute drive from Poole Town Centre. Please head to our education page to read more.
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