Discover everything you need to know before visiting Poole Park, including parking, facilities, accessibility, food and drink, children’s play areas, Poole Park Railway and activities around the boating lake. Located close to Poole town centre, this popular free attraction is ideal for family days out, walks, picnics and outdoor activities. Find essential visitor information, practical tips and details of what you can see and do at Poole Park.
Poole Park is one of the most popular green spaces in Poole, offering a mix of outdoor activities, family attractions and relaxing waterside walks close to the town centre. Visitors can enjoy children’s play areas, Poole Park Railway, watersports, tennis, crazy golf, cafés, picnic spaces and scenic routes around the boating lake. With free entry and plenty to do throughout the year, Poole Park is a great option for families, walkers and anyone looking for affordable things to do in Poole.
Address: Poole Park, Parkstone Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2SF
Telephone: 01202 123432
Email: parks@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Website: https://poolepark.uk
Admission: Free to enter
Availability: Open throughout the year
The main pedestrian entrances are on Parkstone Road, Sandbanks Road, Kingland Road and Whitecliff Road. Vehicles can enter from Kingland Road, Sandbanks Road, Whitecliff Road and Copse Close. Vehicle access into the park is restricted from 7:30am until 10am, Monday to Saturday.
Poole Park is a large urban park arranged around an attractive boating lake, with a mixture of open lawns, waterside paths and leisure facilities. Its location close to central Poole makes it easy to combine with other parts of the town, while the range of activities means visitors can spend anything from a short walk to several hours here.
The park is free to use and is suitable for everything from picnics and relaxed walks to family days out and organised sport.
There is a wide variety of recreation available within Poole Park. Facilities and activities include:
Rockley Watersports operates on the lake, with activities including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and rowing. Some activities are independently operated and therefore have their own charges and opening arrangements.
Poole Park has dedicated play facilities for children. The Jungle Adventure play area includes climbing frames, slides, swings, scramble equipment, a basket swing, seesaw and zip wires and is described by BCP Council as suitable for all ages. Dogs are not permitted inside the fenced play areas.
The miniature Poole Park Railway runs through the park and is currently scheduled to operate seven days a week. Current BCP Council prices are:
Operating times can vary, so visitors are advised to check the Friends of Poole Park Railway updates before travelling specifically for the train.
Visitors have several options within the park, including The Kitchen, a waterside restaurant; Scoops, an ice cream parlour; and The Ark, which incorporates a café alongside children's leisure facilities. Drinking-water taps and picnic areas are also available for visitors bringing their own food.
There are three free car parks within Poole Park:
Free parking is also available on roads within Poole Park, subject to the restrictions displayed.
BCP Council's Family Information Directory lists Poole Park as wheelchair accessible and accessible for pushchairs and prams. Facilities include toilets, baby-changing facilities, refreshments, car parking and drop-off/collection points. Toilets are also available close to the park's west gate.
Dogs are welcome throughout much of Poole Park but are not permitted inside the fenced children's play areas.
Entry to Poole Park itself is free, although individual attractions and activities such as the railway, crazy golf, watersports and other independently operated facilities may charge separately. Opening times for these attractions can also vary seasonally, so visitors planning around a specific activity should check with the individual operator before travelling.
Please complete this form to request more information.
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