Poole's intriguing history

Poole – a rich history and so much to offer today

By Marilyn Barber

Sandbanks - most expensive piece of coastal real estate in the world

When you consider that human settlement in Poole dates back to before the Iron Age, it is hardly surprising that so much has been written about its rich history, with a plethora of local books containing fascinating old photos and line drawings.

The Romans landed at Poole in the first century during their conquest of Britain and took over an Iron Age settlement at Hamworthy. The earliest recorded use of the town’s name was in the 12th century, when it began to emerge as an important port.

Poole established successful commerce with the North American colonies in the 16th century, including the important fisheries of Newfoundland. By the early 18th century, Poole had more ships trading with North America than any other English port and vast wealth was brought to Poole’s merchants.

Coming more up to date, in the Second World War it was one of the main departing points for the Normandy landings and afterwards served as a base for supplies to the allied forces in Europe.

The first railway station opened in Hamworthy in 1847 and extended to the centre of Poole in 1872. Today there are services to London and Weymouth.

Poole lays claim to the largest natural harbour in Europe and the second largest in the world after Sydney Harbour. Tourists flock to its sandy beaches, which stretch from the Sandbanks peninsula to Branksome Dene Chine.

Sandbanks has been revealed as the most expensive piece of coastal real estate in the world with the average house price being £1,223,836. However, you could pay £8m for your dream home.

It wasn’t always so in Sandbanks and many photos exist of empty dunes, in what until the end of the 19th century was known as Parkstone-on-Sea.

And what of the Poole of today?

On 1 April this year, the authority joined forces with Bournemouth and Christchurch to form BCP Council.

Regeneration of the town centre is one of the authority’s top priorities and Poole has attracted over £200m of public and private investment.

The investment in the Twin Sails Bridge has helped to unlock Hamworthy and the old power station site and the Port for redevelopment.

In addition, Poole has negotiated a new agreement for a multi-million pound investment in and around the Dolphin Shopping Centre, including a new nine-screen cinema.

Artist impression of the Dolphin Centre redevelopment, including cinema complex

Plans also include a new bus station, over 400 new homes and a new hotel, a new leisure centre and swimming pool and commercial office space with potential to accommodate the relocation of the civic centre.

Visitors flock to the Quay, but Poole has so many other attractions too. The Grade 11 listed Customs House, which was built in 1814 is now a restaurant. Scaplen’s Court, a 15th century Grade 1 listed building focuses on life between the 15th and 19th centuries. Poole Museum, the fifth most visited attraction in southwest England offers free entry. Set in a Victorian quayside warehouse with an atrium extension dating from 2007, it tells the story of Poole and its harbour from prehistory to the 21st century. At present it is running an exhibition entitled Henry Lamb out of the Shadows.

Twin Sails bridge

And then there is Poole Park – opened in 1890 – which has tennis courts, a bowling green, a miniature golf course and a cricket club, in addition to water sport activities including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and rowing on the large lake.

Poole Harbour is one of the largest centres for sailing in the UK with several yacht clubs. Poole Town Football Club was established in 1880 and in 1948 Poole Pirates began racing at Poole Stadium.

You could take a boat trip along the Jurassic Coast or to Swanage. Evening cruises allow you to enjoy the best view of the summer firework displays and the sunset at Old Harry Rocks.

Public artworks along the Quay include Sea Music, a large metal sculpture designed by Sir Anthony Caro, and a life-size bronze sculpture of Lord Baden-Powell, created to celebrate the founding of the Scout Movement on Brownsea Island. Poole Bridge was built in 1927.

The town has the benefit of both indoor and outdoor shopping areas. There are big name brands in the Dolphin Centre, and small independent retailers in the High Street and on the Quay.

There are plenty of car parks in the town, but you could let the bus take the strain. morebus, which has served the town since 1983, runs most of the local services from places such as Bournemouth, Christchurch, Salisbury and Wimborne.

Poole Harbour at dawn

Many famous people have chosen to live in Poole. They include football manager Harry Redknapp, DJ Tony Blackburn, the artist Augustus John, Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien and naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace.

A fascinating past and a promising future – Poole has so much to offer.