Poole
To the west of Bournemouth lies Poole, the area between the two being almost wholly urbanised and the point at which one stops and the other starts is a matter for conjecture. Once the largest town in Dorset, Poole is a pleasant, bustling harbour town; its harbour, with a shoreline of 50 miles, is the world's second largest natural harbour after Sidney in Australia. Much of this harbour complex appears little changed since the days of pirates and smugglers, retaining an atmosphere more akin to the 18th than the 21st century.
Poole developed as a port in the 13th century on one of the largest shallow-water anchorages in Britain, expanding its trade rapidly it soon became prosperous, a prosperity aided by it also being an infamous pirate base. Harry Payne in particular, was a notorious privateer said to have plundered more than 100 French and Spanish ships, capturing many of them and returning to harbour with them in tow for their booty. In 1405 the French retaliated, they attacked and raided Poole Harbour and a fierce battle ensued with both sides losing many men dead; eventually the French retreated after raiding the port and firing a few buildings. In the 16th century Elizabeth I granted the town county status. During the Civil War of 1642/9 Poole was staunchly Parliamentarian while most of the rest of Dorset was pro-Royalist. Despite this, in 1667 Charles II, restored as monarch, granted the town a new charter, which heralded a period of phenomenal growth based this time on the fishing industry and timber trading with Newfoundland during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Although the harbour is still used commercially, it is primarily now a centre for leisure craft as Poole has developed into a major holiday destination; the great attraction for many visitors is the wonderful stretch of golden sand at the entrance to the harbour. Sandbanks is considered one of the finest bathing spots on the south coast, made especially attractive because it benefits from a double high tide providing around 14 hours of high water every day.
On the quayside the Town Cellars are a group of 15th century warehouses containing a maritime museum. Nearby is the Boat House Museum illustrating 150 years of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, of which Poole is its headquarters. The 18th century Guildhall and the medieval Scaplen's Court both serve as museums of local history. The world renowned Poole Pottery incorporates museum and pottery exhibitions within its studio complex, encouraging visitors to ‘have a go'. The Aquarium Complex is full of predators and perhaps not for the squeamish, it includes a reptile house with rattlesnakes and crocodiles in addition to sea creatures like sharks and river bound pirhanas. Strolling around the old town that runs up from the quay, exploring the many curious alleys and narrow streets now a conservation area, gives the feeling of having stepped back into the Georgian era.
Situated in the middle of Poole Harbour is Brownsea Island, now owned by the National Trust and run as a nature reserve and bird sanctuary open to visitors. A Saxon chapel and hermitage were located on the island until sacked by Viking raiders in 1015, and the remains of a 3rd century Saxon boat has been discovered there. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries (1536/9) Henry VIII seized and fortified Brownsea in 1545, fearing a retaliatory popish invasion; the remains of his castle can still be seen. In 1907 the island became the birthplace of the Boy Scout Movement, and although man no longer inhabits the island, there is wildlife aplenty since 1962 when the National Trust purchased Brownsea - visitors can explore parts of the island with guided tours through the reserves.
Some of the loveliest gardens in Britain are close to Poole, including Compton Acres, which features many rare plants both tropical and subtropical; and Upton Country Park centred on Upton House, a large early 19th century mansion.