Poole Quay is where the story of the harbour truly begins.
Once a notorious haunt for smugglers and pirates, the Quay has transformed into a beautiful pedestrian-friendly waterfront. You can spend a morning wandering the narrow “Old Town” streets once walked by Harry Paye (Poole’s most famous pirate), or simply sit outside a pub and watch the massive Sunseeker yachts being tested in the channel.
Accessing the Quay from Sandbanks is incredibly straightforward and offers several scenic options.
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By Car: Drive along Sandbanks Road (the B3369) which hugs the harbor. There are several large multi-story car parks (Quay Visitor and Quay West) just a 2-minute walk from the water.
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By Bike: Follow the flat, dedicated cycle path that runs all the way from Sandbanks to the Quay—it’s one of the best rides in the area.
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By Bus: The Route 60 and the Purbeck Breezer run frequent services directly to the Quay.
The Quay has a spectacular events calendar that completely transforms the atmosphere.
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Summer Thursdays: A family favourite! Enjoy live music and entertainment, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over the harbour at dusk.
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Tuesday Nights (Summer): The famous “Dream Machines” motorbike night, where hundreds of impressive bikes line the waterfront.
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June: Don’t miss “Harry Paye Pirate Day,” a massive local celebration where the whole town dresses up to honor Poole’s favorite pirate!
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Friday Nights (Summer): “Summer Spectacular” with live music and fireworks over the harbour.
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Early Morning: The best time to see the fishing fleet landing their daily catch of fresh Dorset seafood.
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Winter: Atmospheric and cozy; perfect for a bowl of mussels in a pub with a roaring fire.
As a modernised public waterfront, the Quay is excellently suited for all mobility levels.
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The Terrain: The main Quay is wide, flat, and paved. While the Old Town has some historic cobblestones, most areas have smooth paths alongside them.
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Facilities: Accessible toilets are available at the Poole Museum and several public blocks along the waterfront.
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The Boats: Most of the larger tour boats (like City Cruises) have ramped access for wheelchairs.
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The Quay is a public highway and is open to explore 24/7.
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Poole Museum & Scaplen’s Court: Free to enter! Usually open 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (check seasonal hours).
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Dining: Coffee shops like Deli on the Quay open early for breakfast, while the pubs and restaurants serve food well into the late evening.
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Crabbing: A 24-hour activity!
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Perfect for
Map Directions
Walk the Historic Cockle Trail
To truly understand Poole, you have to explore the Old Town. Take the children on the “Cockle Trail”—simply follow the numbered brass cockle signs set into the paving slabs. This self-guided walk takes you past the newly renovated Poole Museum and Scaplen’s Court, a Grade I listed medieval building dating back to the 1300s. At the eastern end of the Quay (Fisherman’s Dock), you will also find the Old Lifeboat Museum, offering a close-up view of one of Poole’s historic rescue vessels.
Art, Scouts, and Superyachts
As you walk along the waterfront, you will be greeted by the life-size bronze statue of Lord Baden-Powell. He is positioned perfectly, looking out across the water to Brownsea Island, where he held the very first experimental scout camp in August 1907.
Further down, you cannot miss the towering Sea Music Sculpture designed by Sir Anthony Caro. You can actually climb to the top of this impressive artwork for spectacular, elevated views over the quayside. Looking across the water, you will see the massive manufacturing yards of Sunseeker International, where billionaires’ luxury motor yachts are built before being tested right in front of you in the harbour.
The Art of Crabbing
If you are visiting with children, ‘crabbing’ on the Quay is an absolute must-do. It is a beloved local tradition. You don’t need to bring anything with you—a bucket, a crab line, and some bait can be easily purchased from the small kiosks on the quayside. Find a spot along the sea wall, drop your line, and spend an enjoyable few hours seeing how many crabs you can catch before safely returning them to the sea!
Authentic Local Food & Drink
Forget the national chains; Poole Quay is packed with fantastic independent eateries.
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The Poole Arms: You can’t miss it—it’s the building covered in distinctive green Carter’s tiles. As the oldest pub on the Quay, it specializes in fantastic, fresh local seafood.
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Harlees Fish & Chips: Grab an award-winning takeaway and sit on the harbour wall to watch the boats come in.
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Guildhall Tavern: Located just two minutes off the Quay in the Old Town, this highly-rated French restaurant is the ultimate spot for a premium, locally sourced seafood dinner.
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Deli on the Quay: The perfect spot for a morning coffee and a homemade pastry while watching the harbour wake up.
The Gateway to the Islands
The Quay is the primary departure point for exploring the rest of the harbour. From here, you can hop on the Green Island Ferries to Brownsea Island, or take a “Harbour Cruise” that takes you past the five main islands and the massive sea-front mansions of Sandbanks. For a longer adventure, look for the boats heading to Swanage, which offer a spectacular perspective of Old Harry Rocks from the sea.
Seafood and Sunsets
Being a working fishing port, the seafood on the Quay is as fresh as it gets. As the sun begins to set, the bars along the waterfront come alive. Grab an outdoor table, order a local Dorset ale, and watch the sky turn pink over the masts of the boats—it’s the perfect end to a Dorset day.
