Activities & Sports in Poole

Poole Park Bowling Club is a friendly lawn bowls club set beside the lake in Poole Park. Open to experienced players, complete beginners and members of the public, the club offers social and competitive outdoor bowls, short mat bowls, coaching and free seasonal taster sessions. Visitors can hire equipment and receive tuition, while members can take part in leagues, competitions, friendly matches and social activities from one of Poole’s most scenic sporting locations.

Discover Greenslade Pleasure Boats in Poole with essential information on cruises, ferry routes, prices, departure points and booking. This family-run Poole Quay company has operated boat trips since 1970, with current sailings including Poole Harbour and Sandbanks cruises, Brownsea Island ferries, Wareham River trips and wildlife cruises with Birds of Poole Harbour. Whether you want a short sightseeing cruise or a longer day on the water, Greenslade offers several ways to explore Poole Harbour and Dorset’s coastline.

Poole Men’s Shed is a friendly workshop and social group based at the Limelights Centre in Canford Heath. The registered charity gives local people, particularly men, a welcoming place to meet, share practical skills and work on personal or community projects. Members can enjoy woodworking, making and repairing items, organised activities and informal conversation, helping people stay active, build friendships and reduce loneliness or social isolation in Poole.

Plan a visit to The Dolphin Poole with essential information on shops, restaurants, opening times, parking, accessibility and events. Located on Kingland Road in central Poole, the indoor shopping centre is home to more than 90 occupiers, including high-street brands, independent retailers, food outlets and community spaces. Visitors can also explore KINGLAND, the Street Market and GATHER, while nearby bus and rail connections and large multi-storey car parks make The Dolphin easy to reach from across Poole and Dorset.

Plan a visit to Vue Poole at Tower Park with essential information on cinema screens, seating, tickets, accessibility, family screenings and free parking. The 14-screen cinema offers laser projection throughout, 2D and 3D films, Dolby Surround Sound and premium Lux and Ultra Lux seating. Visitors can watch new releases alongside concerts, theatre, opera, sport and other Big Screen Events, then combine their cinema trip with the restaurants and entertainment venues around Tower Park.

Plan a visit to Branksome Chine Beach in Poole with essential information on parking, facilities, accessibility, lifeguards, dog restrictions and places to eat. This popular Blue Flag beach offers golden sand, a promenade, accessible beach facilities and seasonal RNLI lifeguards, with Rockwater Branksome providing beachfront food and drink overlooking the sea. Discover everything you need to know before visiting Branksome Chine, whether you are planning a family beach day, coastal walk or morning beside the water.

Plan your visit to Sandbanks Beach in Poole with essential information on parking, facilities, accessibility, lifeguards, dog restrictions and things to do. This popular Blue Flag beach on the Sandbanks peninsula is ideal for families, swimmers and visitors looking for one of the best beaches in Poole. Discover everything you need to know before visiting Sandbanks Beach, including nearby amenities, seasonal facilities and practical tips for a day by the coast.

Poole Town Ladies FC is an established women’s football club offering competitive senior and development-team football in Poole. Originally founded during the 1980s, the club welcomes experienced players, women returning to football and newcomers looking for a fresh challenge. Its first team competes at regional level, while the development side provides a pathway into senior football, supported by links with Poole Town FC Wessex for younger female players progressing through the game.

Poole u3a is a large learning and social organisation for people who are no longer in full-time employment. Based at The Spire in Poole town centre, it has more than 900 members and offers over 80 informal classes alongside walks, talks, day trips and social activities. Members can explore interests ranging from languages and history to music, fitness, crafts and technology, while meeting new people in a relaxed, supportive environment with no exams or qualifications.

The Quayside Choir is a friendly mixed community choir serving Poole, Broadstone and the surrounding area. Formerly known as Barclays House Choir, the group rehearses weekly and performs a varied repertoire spanning classical music, musical theatre, opera, film, traditional songs and sacred works. New singers are welcome to attend a rehearsal before joining, making it a suitable local choir for adults who enjoy group singing, live performances and meeting people through music.

Poole and Parkstone Productions, commonly known as P&P, is a long-established performing arts society offering musical theatre, choirs and drama in Poole. With more than 150 members, the group stages major musicals, plays, concerts and community performances at venues including Lighthouse Poole and The Spire. Adults can join its auditioned performance sections or the non-auditioned InSpire Daytime Voices choir, while volunteers are also welcomed for backstage, technical, costume and production roles.

Just Sing Contemporary Choir is a friendly adult community choir meeting weekly at Magna Academy in Poole. Open to anyone aged 18 and above, the choir requires no audition, previous singing experience or ability to read sheet music. Members sing contemporary music across a range of styles, take part in optional performances and enjoy a relaxed, sociable atmosphere. The first taster session is free, making it easy for new singers to try the choir before joining.

Plan a visit to Hollywood Bowl Poole at Tower Park with essential information on bowling, booking, prices, VIP lanes, food and drink, parties and parking. The venue has 24 bowling lanes alongside an arcade, pool tables, American-inspired diner and licensed bar, making it suitable for family days out, date nights and group activities. Booking online in advance is recommended, particularly at weekends and during school holidays, and can also provide access to Hollywood Bowl’s best available prices.

Luminos Community Choir is a friendly mixed choir meeting on Monday evenings at Bournemouth and Poole College’s North Road site. Open to adults who enjoy singing, the choir performs an varied repertoire including pop, folk, jazz and musical theatre, with songs taught by ear so members do not need to read music. There are no auditions, although the choir currently operates a waiting list and generally welcomes new singers each September.

Poole Netball Club is a performance-focused netball club providing coaching and competitive opportunities for girls aged six and above, with a structured pathway from Mini Stars through to senior netball. The Silver CAPS-accredited club offers small squad sizes, year-round indoor training and dedicated coaching designed to help players develop their skills and progress towards regional, national, academy and elite-level competition.

Dolphin Indoor Bowling Club is a large members’ bowls club located near Albany Business Park in Poole. Its facilities include 11 championship-standard indoor bowling rinks, giving members opportunities to enjoy casual bowls, club leagues, competitions and year-round social activities. With approximately 1,000 members, free introductory sessions and equipment supplied for organised taster events, the club welcomes experienced bowlers and complete beginners interested in trying indoor bowls in Poole.

Poole Town Youth Football Club is a family-friendly grassroots football club offering mixed and girls-only teams for children and teenagers aged six to 18. Established in 1984, the Dorset FA-affiliated club provides qualified coaching, regular training and competitive matches in local youth leagues. Younger children can also begin through its Little Fins sessions, making it a suitable Poole football club for beginners as well as developing players seeking structured team football.

Branksome Chine Surf Life Saving Club is a volunteer-led lifesaving and water sports club based at Branksome Chine Beach in Poole. The club provides beach safety education, first aid, rescue training and competitive surf lifesaving for children, teenagers and adults. Members train throughout the year using a mixture of sea, beach and indoor activities, while qualified volunteers also support local beach patrols and promote water safety across the Bournemouth and Poole coastline.

Parkstone Yacht Club is a sailing club based beside Poole Harbour in Parkstone, offering dinghy and yacht racing, cruising, youth sailing and training. Its extensive programme caters for experienced sailors, competitive racers and younger members developing their skills on the water. The club also provides marina, mooring and boatyard facilities, alongside a waterfront clubhouse with dining, social events and views across the harbour.

Plan your visit to Tower Park in Poole with our guide to its attractions, cinema, restaurants, parking and visitor facilities. The entertainment complex is home to Splashdown Waterpark, Lemur Landings, Hollywood Bowl, Vue cinema, Buzz Bingo, PureGym and a wide choice of places to eat and drink. With free onsite parking and entertainment for children and adults, Tower Park is one of the most convenient places in Poole for an all-weather family day out or evening with friends.

Discover Lush Spa Poole with essential information on treatments, massages, opening times, booking, accessibility and in-store services. Based at 29 High Street in Poole, the shop offers Lush Spa experiences including full-body massages, facials, scalp and foot treatments, sound baths and spa parties alongside its cosmetics range. Treatments can be booked through the Lush app or directly with the spa, with consultations, gifting services and Click & Collect also available from the Poole store.

Poole Runners is a friendly running and athletics club welcoming beginners, experienced runners and junior athletes. The club offers social runs, road running, track and field, speed sessions, cross-country and longer-distance training. Its main adult club night takes place in Broadstone, with additional sessions held around Poole and at Ashdown Track. Beginners can also look out for the club’s seasonal Couch to 5K programme.

Discover Rockley in Poole with essential information on watersports, activity centres, children’s holiday camps, RYA sailing courses, equipment hire and booking. Rockley operates from Rockley Point and Poole Park, offering activities including dinghy sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, canoeing and multi-activity sessions. Established in 1976, the family-run company caters for children, adults, schools and families, with everything from one-hour taster sessions and pedalos to structured sailing courses and residential watersports programmes.

Discover Poole Old Lifeboat Museum on Poole Quay, a free RNLI museum exploring the town’s lifesaving history from 1865 to the present day. Housed inside Poole’s former lifeboat station, the museum features the historic Thomas Kirk Wright lifeboat, displays about past and present RNLI crews and an onsite RNLI shop. Find current opening times, admission information, contact details, parking and everything you need to know before visiting this historic Poole attraction.

Discover Dorset Cruises in Poole with essential information on boat trips, prices, private charters, food and drink and departures from Poole Quay. Cruises take place aboard the historic Dorset Queen, a restored vintage motor yacht offering themed experiences including fish and chips, afternoon tea, gin and jazz, Wareham trips and special events. With onboard bars and views across Poole Harbour, Dorset Cruises combines sightseeing with food, drink and entertainment for a more experience-led day on the water.

Poole District Scouts provides Scouting activities for children, teenagers and young adults across Poole. Local groups offer Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Scout Network, helping members build confidence, friendships and practical skills through games, outdoor adventures, camping, community projects and badge work. Groups meet in neighbourhoods including Hamworthy, Lilliput, Parkstone, Broadstone, Branksome and Canford Heath, although some sections operate waiting lists.

Girlguiding Poole provides weekly groups, activities and adventures for girls and young women aged four to 18. Local Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers meet across Poole, including Parkstone, Canford Heath, Branksome and Wallisdown. Led by trained volunteers, sessions help members build confidence, friendships and practical skills through games, crafts, outdoor activities, badges, community projects, camps and trips. Families can search for nearby units and register their interest through Girlguiding’s official website.

Poole Communities Trust is a registered charity supporting residents across Branksome, Bourne and Turlin Moor. The organisation runs community centres, affordable activities, youth sessions, family events, cafés, food stores and local support services designed to help people connect, learn and stay active. It also works with residents to develop community-led projects, making it an important source of practical support, social opportunities and low-cost activities in Poole.

Plan a visit to Hamworthy Park in Poole with essential information on parking, facilities, accessibility, the children’s paddling pool, play area, beach and dog-friendly areas. Set beside Poole Harbour, the park offers large open lawns, harbour views, a seasonal paddling pool, fitness equipment, refreshments and access to watersports. With a year-round dog-friendly beach and family facilities, Hamworthy Park is a useful free destination for relaxed outdoor days in Poole.

Poole Yacht Club is a sailing and boating club based on the Hamworthy shoreline of Poole Harbour. The club welcomes new members throughout the year and provides opportunities for yacht cruising, racing, dinghy sailing and watersports training for adults and younger sailors. Members can also access marina berths, swinging moorings, boat storage and maintenance services, alongside a waterfront clubhouse and an active social programme.

Poole Amateur Rowing Club offers recreational and competitive rowing from its waterside base near Poole Quay. Established in 1873, it describes itself as Poole’s oldest sports club and aims to make rowing financially accessible to the local community. Newcomers can arrange a free introductory session, making the club suitable for people interested in trying rowing before deciding whether to join.

Plan your visit to Lemur Landings in Poole with essential information on opening times, admission, parking, accessibility, food and drink and play facilities. Located at Tower Park, this large indoor soft-play and children’s entertainment centre features two play frames, climbing activities, a role-play village and dedicated spaces for babies and younger children. Advance online booking is required for every visit, with free parking available at Tower Park and an onsite family café.

Plan a visit to Buzz Bingo Poole at Tower Park with essential information on bingo sessions, opening times, food and drink, accessibility, age restrictions and parking. The club offers paper and electronic bingo, slots and regular promotions alongside a licensed bar and food menu. Open late throughout the week and located within the wider Tower Park leisure complex, Buzz Bingo Poole is suited to solo players, couples and groups looking for an adults-only entertainment option in Poole.