A stunning town in the heart of Dorset, Poole is nothing short of picturesque. Surrounded by award-winning Blue Flag beaches, the town boasts the second largest harbour in the world, after the iconic Sydney Harbour.
Ideal for commuters and families, Poole offers easy access to London and the Home Counties, as well as the Jurassic Coast and the New Forest National Park.
It’s easy to see why this is such a popular place to live and work.
Average house prices in Poole
Editor note: Updated March, 2024
The average house in Poole sold for around £420,000, a drop of 2% compared to 2022-23. However, it’s still 4% higher than the peak of £404,000 in 2021.
Detached houses, particularly those with sea views or proximity to the harbour, command premium prices, averaging around £610,000. Flats, especially those converted from charming Victorian buildings in the town centre, offer a more affordable option at an average of £282,000 and semi-detached properties sell for around £340,000.
Families often gravitate towards the suburbs like Broadstone and Branksome Park, with their well-regarded schools and larger properties. Meanwhile, Poole Quay and Hamworthy offer a unique blend of waterside living and community feel, attracting a mix of young professionals and retirees.
House rental prices in Poole
Editor note: Updated March, 2024
According to home.co.uk, as of February 2024, there were 156 properties for rent in Poole, with the average rent being £1,332pcm for a flat and £2,118pcm for a house. There are slightly more flats to rent than houses and most properties have two or three bedrooms.
Areas nearby
Poole is close to the resort town of Bournemouth, as well as Southampton and more rural areas, including Dorchester and Blandford Forum.
Transport links in Poole
Poole by Car
Poole offers excellent car connectivity, with the A35 providing quick access to Bournemouth and surrounding areas, while the B3070 connects you to charming villages like Corfe Castle and Swanage. The M27 links seamlessly to the M3 and M4 motorways, opening up easy access to Southampton, Winchester, Portsmouth, London and other major cities. Scenic drives along the Jurassic Coast are a popular choice, showcasing stunning natural beauty.
Poole by Bus
Morebus and First Bus together operate an extensive and affordable bus network across Poole, connecting the town centre to surrounding areas like Sandbanks, Branksome and Parkstone. Frequent services run throughout the day, making it a convenient and budget-friendly option for exploring the town and its surrounding areas.
Poole by Train
Poole Train Station lies on the South Western Railway network, offering direct connections to London Waterloo in under 2 hours. Regular train services also connect Poole to Bournemouth, Southampton and Bristol, making it a convenient hub for exploring the region.
Additional Ways to Explore Poole
Poole’s dedicated cycle network and flat terrain make it a haven for cyclists. Popular routes include the Sustrans National Cycle Network along the harbour and the scenic route to Sandbanks Beach. Bike rentals are readily available in the town centre, making it accessible for everyone.
The world-famous Poole Harbour boasts frequent ferry services connecting Poole to the Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey) and France (Cherbourg and Saint-Malo). This opens up opportunities for day trips or more relaxed island-hopping adventures.
Transport to London
Poole train station offers regular services to London, reaching London Waterloo in just under 2 hours, making it a popular option for day trips and weekend visits. Alternatively, travelling to London by car or National Express coach takes about 2 and a half hours, via the M27/M3/M25 motorways.
Transport to Airports
The closest airport is Bournemouth Airport, located just outside Poole town centre, offering domestic and international flights. Another option is Southampton Airport which is around 30 miles away and accessible by car or train.
Schools
Poole is popular with families, thanks to the area’s highly performing schools. Springdale First School, Broadstone First School and Rushcombe First School have all been rated as Outstanding by Ofsted.
In 2017, Ofsted’s Regional Director for the South West stated that all of Poole’s schools had performed above national levels in almost every area.
Parkstone Grammar School is one of the most highly regarded schools in the region, rated as Outstanding by Ofsted. Poole Grammar School and Talbot Heath School are other popular choices amongst students and parents alike.
Working and employment in Poole
Poole is a lively business hub, with many major businesses calling the town home. Head offices in the town include Barclays, Sunseeker International, LUSH and Animal.
Over recent years, property development has become a key part of the economy.
According to Uswitch, Poole and neighbouring Bournemouth have a good employment rate of 73 percent, with 44 percent of those employed working full time (35 – 45 hours per week).
Things to do in Poole
Poole is an incredibly desirable place to live and, with all of its amenities and attractions, it’s easy to see why.
For shops and restaurants, the Quay should be your first port of call, but there are also plenty of great stores and eateries dotted around the town. For eating and drinking, you’ll be spoilt for choice. The town offers everything from traditional pub food to fine continental dining.
The bustling Poole Quay is home to fishing boats, yachts and cruisers, as well as a host of historic buildings – a great spot for exploring. Away from the shoreline, Poole offers a great choice of parks and outdoor spaces, including Upton Country Park and Hamworthy Park. Poole Park is home to a boating lake, an ice rink, tennis courts and cafés.
Poole’s centre for the arts, Lighthouse, hosts a wide variety of productions throughout the year and is also home to the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Shopping in Poole
The Dolphin Shopping Centre is the heart of Poole’s shopping scene; this modern, indoor complex boasts over 80 stores, including a selection of fashion stores, department stores, cafés and restaurants.
The pedestrianised high street winds its way down to the bustling quayside and is lined with independent shops, gift stores and boutiques. Weekly street markets are held every Thursday and Saturday and sell everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts. Poole’s Old Town and Quayside areas are home to charming independent stores alongside historical buildings and picturesque harbour views.
Poole also caters to everyday needs with several retail parks on the outskirts of town, offering large supermarkets, national chain stores and homeware stores, providing a convenient option for groceries and essential shopping.
Living in Poole – Additional Information
With a climate that is typically milder than towns and cities located further inland, the weather in Poole is usually sunny and warm during the summer months. During the winter, the weather is typically cooler and wet.
Life expectancy in Poole is in line with the UK average, with men living to an average of 80 and women to an average of 84.
When it comes to the basics needed for modern life, Poole boasts 99 percent mobile phone coverage and high broadband speeds averaging at 29.7Mbps.
Poole history
The earliest records of Poole show that it was a key port, playing an important role in the local wool trade.
Poole Harbour was formed approximately 7,000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age, and the earliest artefact found in the area dates back to the third century BC.
Poole has a rich history. It is thought that the Roman invasion passed through the town, and there may also have been a small Norman settlement on the site. By the 15th century, Poole was a key port, with trading links across Europe. By the 18th century, it was the main port for trade with North America.
During the Industrial Revolution, Poole’s population boomed.
Is Poole a nice place to live?
Yes! Poole is often named in the top 10 nicest places to live in the UK, and it’s easy to see why.
What is Poole famous for?
Poole is perhaps most famous for having the second largest natural harbour in the world, after Sydney, Australia.
The town has connections to a host of famous names, including DJ Tony Blackburn, Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien, Harry Redknapp, Jamie Redknapp and Blue Peter presenter Katy Hill.
Poole is a great place to settle down, live and work. And, if you’re moving to the area, we can help. Here at Titan Storage, we can take care of storing your furniture or moving boxes that have arrived too soon. Get in touch with our Poole store to see how we can help.
The pedestrianised high street winds its way down to the bustling quayside and is lined with independent shops, gift stores and boutiques. Weekly street markets are held every Thursday and Saturday and sell everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts. Poole’s Old Town and Quayside areas are home to charming independent stores alongside historical buildings and picturesque harbour views.
Poole also caters to everyday needs with several retail parks on the outskirts of town, offering large supermarkets, national chain stores and homeware stores, providing a convenient option for groceries and essential shopping.
What is the average age in Poole?
The average age of Poole residents is 42, which is just slightly older than the UK average of 41.
What is the population size of Poole?
Poole has a population of just over 151,000.
