Name: Poole Museum and Scaplens Court museum
Rating: 5.0

Poole Museum and Scaplens Court museum

Poole Museum, 4 High Street, Poole BH15 1BW, UK

1-99 Years

Description

Poole Museum is a maritime museum, gallery and cultural centre, situated on the Lower High Street in the Old Town area of Poole, Dorset, and is owned by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Poole Museum and Scaplen’s Court & Garden are amazing venues, perfect for celebrations, creative community events and fun stuff. Scaplen’s Court and Garden, part of Poole Museum, is back and looking glorious.

Step inside and time travel through centuries of stories shaped by the sea. With a tempting cafe - The Old Town Salt Pig; a beautiful herb and physic garden; events, exhibitions and activities, including guided tours and creative workshops and events, you can explore our Grade I listed building and get hands on surrounded by stories.

If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Scaplen's Court and Garden: Scaplen’s Court and Garden, part of Poole Museum, is back and looking glorious. Step inside and time travel through centuries of stories shaped by the sea. With a tempting cafe - The Old Town Salt Pig; a beautiful herb and physic garden; events, exhibitions and activities, including guided tours and creative workshops and events, you can explore our Grade I listed building and get hands on surrounded by stories.

Discover our galleries:

Harbour Life: Learn about Poole Harbour from the Ice Age to today. Explore history, connections, and evolution through fishing, ecology, maritime industries, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and partnerships including Birds of Poole Harbour.
Shipwreck: Housed in the impressive Town Cellars, a historically significant medieval port warehouse, Shipwreck! will showcase Poole’s Iron Age logboat alongside objects from both the Studland Bay and Swash Channel Wrecks, Poole’s medieval boatyard, and recently recovered objects from the 750-year-old Mortar Wreck.
Setting Sail: Find out about pirates, superstition and life onboard ship in our Setting Sail gallery, alongside more challenging themes such as the impact and legacy of the Newfoundland cod trade and Poole’s connection to slavery.
Discover: Discover is a friendly, welcoming space, open for everyone to explore Poole’s fascinating history, delve deeper, and stay a while. Books, maps, photos, and stories, all ready for curious minds and fact-loving kinds.
Co:Lab: Co:Lab is a collaborative space, powered by Poole’s people, shaped by shared stories. The museum’s beating heart. Community driven, inclusive and engaging, showcasing Poole’s diverse communities.
Research Room: Explore family history and local legends in this quiet space, with experts and archives at your fingertips. Book in, dig deep, and be inspired.
Collections Studio: Peek behind the scenes in our Collections Studio. See curators at work, ask questions, and explore amazing objects up close.
Poole Creates: Discover the magic where timeless craftsmanship meets bold design, and dive into the world’s largest collection of Poole Pottery. Here, tradition gets a modern twist, and every piece has a story to tell.As an added bonus, explore our collection of fine art in a gallery within a gallery!
Creative Space & Terrace: Learn, make, share, and unwind in a vibrant, inclusive hub for creativity, wellness, and discovery. Sunshine and inspiration always welcome.
Changing Exhibitions in The Fine Gallery: Reimagined and ever-evolving, this dynamic exhibition space invites you to experience inspiring, immersive, and innovative displays, that are always a little bit spectacular.
The Loft: Who doesn’t love a glorified attic that moonlights as an art studio, playroom, educational den, and a whimsical perch for pondering life’s most unnecessary questions – all in one charming, elevated nook.

Facilities

Parking: We don't have our own car park, but don’t worry, the Quay Visitors Multi-Storey Car Park on Castle Street (BH15 1SB) is just a 5-minute stroll away. That’s about 161 metres if you’re counting steps. Just follow the Lower High Street towards the Quay and you’ll be with us in no time.
Food & Drinks: Our cosy café is the perfect pit stop - whether you’re fuelling up before your visit, taking a mid-exploration breather, or winding down after a day of exploring. Expect tasty treats, refreshing drinks, and a warm welcome.
Toilets: All our toilets are gender neutral toilets. Each WC is self-contained with a toilet and a sink.
Dogs: Dogs and assistance animals.

Website

Contact

Video

Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Poole Museum and Scaplen's Court & Garden are both open daily from 10am to 5pm.

Address: Poole Museum, 4 High Street, Poole BH15 1BW, UK

Post Code: BH15 1BW

Council: Bournemouth, Christc

County: Dorset

By car: We don't have our own car park, but don’t worry, the Quay Visitors Multi-Storey Car Park on Castle Street (BH15 1SB) is just a 5-minute stroll away. That’s about 161 metres if you’re counting steps. Just follow the Lower High Street towards the Quay and you’ll be with us in no time. For Blue Badge holders, there are a number of disabled parking bays right on Poole Quay in front of the Customs House and by the marina reserved exclusively for badge holders, with a maximum stay of 3 hours.
By train: Poole Railway Station is your stop for seaside stories. It’s the closest station to the museum and is served by South Western Railway, with regular trains from London Waterloo, Weymouth, and other exciting places. From the station, it’s just a 15-minute walk (about 966 metres) to the museum - perfect for stretching your legs before diving into our culture - and cafe!
By bus: Easy peasy. We’re well connected across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole - and we’re just a short stroll from the main bus station at the Dolphin Shopping Centre (about 15 minutes or 966 metres, if you’re counting). Here are the routes that’ll drop you closest to the action: Route One – Stops at Lower High Street, Orchard Plaza (just 161 metres away). Routes 8 & 9 – Stop at Old Orchard (around 322 metres from the museum)
By bike: Hop on your bike and enjoy a breezy ride to Poole Museum. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just dusting off your wheels, the scenic route is half the fun. Cruise along the quay, feel the sea breeze in your hair, and park up right outside where we've got bike racks waiting just for you.
Parking: We don't have our own car park, but don’t worry, the Quay Visitors Multi-Storey Car Park on Castle Street (BH15 1SB) is just a 5-minute stroll away. That’s about 161 metres if you’re counting steps. Just follow the Lower High Street towards the Quay and you’ll be with us in no time.