Welcome to Poole

The nights are getting ever-longer, and lights and illuminations are being erected up around the destination but despite those darker days there is a tonne of fun to be had in Poole this Winter. From frosty beach side strolls to award winning theatre and comedy, not to mention things starting to look a lot like Christmas. Winter in Poole is like no other!

Located on the beautiful South Coast of England, in the historic county of Dorset and close to the World Heritage Jurassic Coast, the festive season is undoubtedly one of the best times to visit.

With island quests on offer and an abundance of wildlife, grab your binoculars for some serious spotting.  From red squirrels to wildfowl, Poole Harbour is recognised as an internationally important home for wildlife and one of the best sites in the UK to spot birds.  The 110 miles of harbour coastline means that you are spoilt for choice for quiet spots to watch as thousands of birds migrate or take up winter residence and with friendly guides, you don’t need to be an expert to make the most of the experience.  

The iconic Brownsea Island will host special boat bird-watching tours from November to January and for more information please see here.

For the ideal Christmas break there are plenty of relaxing places to stay, whether it’s a cosy family-run B&B or waterside hotel with soulful seasonal views, you are sure to find the perfect place to stay in Poole.

As the weather changes, museums, attractions and the impressive Tower Park complex offer a huge variety of activities and a great day out under cover from the elements.

With a reputation for fine dining, fabulous seafood, great seasonal local ingredients and some of the best waterside tables in the UK, take your pick of Poole’s delicious hotspots.  The town’s mix of bustling restaurants, cafes and bars means there is something to tantalise everyone's taste buds.

There will also be a host of Christmas themed events to enjoy throughout this festive period. Poole heralds the arrival of Santa Claus in a flotilla of boats on Sunday 8 December with a meet and greet on the Quay until the early evening, giving younger visitors the unique opportunity to see Santa outside of his natural grotto environment.

For fans of a Christmas singalong there is the Christmas Choir on Saturday 14 December allowing enthusiastic audiences to sing their hearts out to a back-catalogue of classic Christmas tunes.

A family favourite activity will undoubtedly be attending Poole’s own Lighthouse theatre which this year is hosting a production of the ever-popular Jack and the Beanstalk on stage from Thursday 12 December to Sunday 5 January again sure to be another unmissable show. No matter where you are in the local area, there will be something for everyone.

Whatever your plans this holiday season, at Poole Tourism we hope you make the most of the festivities in the local area and look forward to you returning for some spectacular seaside action in 2020 #LovePoole