Home to Europe’s largest natural harbour, Poole, UK is a popular destination for travelers across the globe. From the historic quayside, gorgeous gardens, and parks – to the beautiful beaches (including the world-famous Sandbanks Beach) and quaint old town, there are plenty of Poole tourist attractions and sightseeing tours to take in. Of course, you won’t want to miss Poole’s iconic landmarks, yet figuring out the ideal way to see it all isn’t an easy endeavor. Luckily, we have suggestions on how to do it via land and water — with the latter option including several unique packages available from City Experiences. We’ll provide insights on them all so that your time in Poole is planned perfectly.

Explore Poole by Sightseeing on Foot

As we all know, walking is great exercise, and whenever one travels, you can expect to do a lot of it as you figure out how to navigate a new destination. In Poole, there are several free guided walks in the city, and there’s also a popular suggested route — the Rotary 5 Quays Walk of Poole, arranged by the Rotary Club of Poole Bay — which features many attractions in the region. It runs along the waterside, takes about an hour and a half to do, and is a great way to get the lay of the land. You’ll see area sights including Evening Hill, Branksome Cliff, Whitecliff Park, and more.

Sightseeing in Poole via the Water

Now, while we support walking in a big way, let’s be honest: it’s hard to take in spectacular views while you are constantly moving. That’s why so many visitors love taking boat cruises when you head to a destination like Poole. Because when you cruise, you get to enjoy every view of the landscape from a unique perspective, including iconic sites and popular area attractions. With this thought in mind, City Experiences offers several sightseeing adventures in Poole, which you won’t want to miss out on — especially because they include features that make the excursions unforgettable, on exceptional vessels that are well-equipped and welcoming.

Double the Fun with the Poole/Swanage Sightseeing Cruise

First, there’s the one-hour Poole/Swanage Sightseeing Cruise, which launches from Poole Quay and travels to the Victorian resort town, Swanage, and passes by Brownsea Island, the beautiful beaches of Studland Bay, and the breathtaking opening cliffs of the Jurassic Coast. Alternatively, you can also opt to begin in Swanage and then embark on the same gorgeous journey as you head to Poole. No matter which route you choose, Swanage is well worth the visit since this atmospheric town has a lovely long beach, enticing shops, delectable food, and surroundings that are simply a breath of fresh air. Plus, guests can enjoy the options of two-and-a-half or five hours ashore before returning to either location. The open blue sea combined with stunning rock formations make these excursions unforgettable. As an added bonus for your trip, live commentary and a full bar are available.

Enjoy Formidable Rock Formations on the Swanage Jurassic Circular Cruise

Next, there’s the Swanage Jurassic Circular Cruise. Just a bit over two hours, this round-trip outing to Poole and back from Swanage offers expansive panoramas of sand, sea, and sky as you glide by monumental chalk formations of Old Harry Rocks, Sandbanks Golden Mile, and Studland Bay. This excursion provides the ideal opportunity to capture picture-perfect photos from our open-air decks. You can also sit back, relax, and just immerse yourself in all of the stunning views from our lounge areas, which feature wide bay windows. Want to try locally brewed beer? That’s an option on this trip since it’s available from the fully licensed bar on board. Plus, live commentary from the captain imparts insights into the region, so you’ll get to know everything about what makes Poole and the surrounding area so special.

Discover Puffins on the Poole Bird-Watching Cruise

Bird watching is a pastime that in the last few years has become increasingly popular, and puffins just happened to be a favorite of many enthusiasts; so naturally, our Poole Bird Watching Cruise is always in high demand. Departing from Poole Quay and Swanage Pier during puffin nesting season, our vessel cruises along the Jurassic Coast’s eastern tip to Dancing Ledge and back during an unforgettable evening excursion. Informative for all ages, this remarkable experience takes place surrounded by panoramic views of sand, sea, and sky from our open-air decks — the ideal location for capturing amazing photographs. You can also choose to take advantage of the lower saloon’s lounge area, where you can sit back, relax, and savor time with family and friends as you sip some locally brewed cider from the full bar on board. During the four-hour Poole trip or two-hour Swanage outings, you will sail past stunning chalk formations and the most popular locations for puffin nesting as Durlston Country Park Rangers provide insightful commentary.

All Aboard the Poole Sea Train Adventure

What is almost as much fun as traveling by boat? Traveling by train! And when you have the chance to do both, you can’t let it pass you by; that’s what makes the Poole Sea Train Adventure spectacular. The journey is a relaxing cruise around the Jurassic Coast’s eastern tip — complete with live commentary — that concludes in Swanage. There you’ll embark and can indulge in a bite to eat or check out the unique shops in town before making your way to the railway station. Once you arrive, you’ll step back in time to the year 1885 as you board the steam train from Swanage heading to Corfe or Norden. Both spots feature free museums, and you’ll be able to tour the Corfe Castle ruins or take in the sights from one of the village’s old pubs. On your return trip, you’ll embark again to travel along the majestic chalk formation into Poole Harbour. A full bar is also available for this excursion, which is one hour each way.

Spend Quality Time Sightseeing in Poole, UK

Spending time in Poole is a singular experience. With so much to see and do amid all of the magnificent natural surroundings, figuring out your ideal itinerary can be tricky. But with City Experiences as your guide, our range of packages can make planning a breeze. The most important thing? Choose a cruise or experience that suits you — and be sure to reserve your spot as soon as you can.