Car Rental Poole

Poole is made up of quiet, leafy streets– with traditional British stores tucked along market squares. This makes driving a breeze, since it is easy to glide between the center, the dock, and the landscape beyond.

Holes Bay Road (A350) connects the suburbs to the heart of the town and the harbor. Simply wind past the shimmering shores of Upton Lake to reach the vibrant main districts.

There are many convenient parking lots by the quay, harborside and civic center, with charming stores, cozy cafes and a small theater nearby. After dark, the area comes to life with casinos, traditional public houses and chic restaurants.

Closer to the harbor, you’ll find some of the best views around, plus a great choice of fish and chip restaurants overlooking the ocean. The Poole Museum and the RNLI Poole Lifeboat Museum are two key highlights of the quay. You’ll also find City Cruises Poole, where you can take a relaxing boat along the shore.

Cross the bridge to the marina to find the town’s ferry terminal and yacht club. This upmarket part of town is also home to the Hamworthy Park, where you can take on sports, learn to sail or visit Hamworthy beach.

Venture west along the oceanside roads to find great restaurants, vacation parks and rentals set beside the parks and lakes. Upton Park is perhaps the town’s best – it’s wooded and comes complete with lovely English tea rooms.

East of Poole, the bright lights of Bournemouth beckon – but don’t forget to visit Sandbanks Beach on your way. This is a popular stretch of sand in an elegant neighborhood.

Driving in the UK is on the left. Speed limits typically range from 20mph and 30mph in towns and cities, to 70mph on most motorways.

This vintage port town has a laid-back demeanor and a refined soul. With car rental in Poole, you can discover the best of Britain’s seaside tradition.

A touch of class by the sea

Whether you’re a sailing club member or simply love to indulge in the finer things during a vacation, Poole is a great place to satisfy your yearning for the high life.

Head to Sandbanks Beach to relax in the summer sun, dine at an upscale restaurant or try unusual activities.

Home to beautiful sand dunes, each year it hosts the British Beach Polo Championships – where horse riders come from all corners of the globe to play one of the most quintessentially British games.

Despite the prestige, you’ll find all the markers of the quintessential British seaside town here. Think crazy golf courses, fish and chips and children’s play areas.

Other popular Poole beaches include Hamworthy Park, Branksome Dene and the hut-lined Shore Road.

Lush islands and nature reserves

Poole is a cross-Channel terminal, so it’s easy to take a boat ride to the Channel Islands  for an additional leg of your vacation.

If you prefer shorter day trips, however, try Brownsea Island. Catch a boat from Sandbanks terminal to weave into the wilderness in no time.

Explore scrubland, riverside trails and then relax in the cafe. This island is owned by the National Trust, and is a protected area where you may even glimpse a rare red squirrel. Camp near the outdoor center and sleep beneath the stars, or take on a hiking weekend.

The island even hosts open air theater performances and cinema screenings in the summer – many shows are traditional English classics from the likes of Shakespeare.

Make a splash

Splashdown is Poole’s very own water park. This is one of the best places around for family fun – load your rental car with bathing suits, towels and all the essentials and take to the slides and waves.

The attraction has more flumes than anywhere else in the South West, with an all-action spirit that kids will simply love. It’s set on Tower Park, which is the region’s premier leisure complex. An under-5s splash zone can keep the little ones occupied too.

Explore rich heritage

Poole is more than just a seaside paradise – it also has an intriguing history of seafaring, conquest and fishing.

Drop into Poole Museum to learn about history from a local perspective. Overlooking the bustling quay, you’ll see exhibits on world famous pottery, and even Roman Britain. Many of the most treasured exhibits are set in an old wool warehouse that was built in medieval times.

The RNLI Lifeboat Museum is further along the quayside and offers an alternative look at the town’s maritime heritage. Visit to see lifeboats from the past and learn about how the organization saves lives.

To the north, Kingston Lacy House has a treasure trove of history to uncover. This stately home boasts English country gardens but was built to resemble an Italian palace. Step inside to find treasures including the Philae Obelisk, which originally stood at Egypt’s Temple of Isis, plus many exquisite paintings.

The grounds span 8,500 acres and are home to Iron Age archaeological treasures too.

Renting a car in Poole is a great way to see more of Dorset and the southern English coast.