Poole Museums and Art Galleries

(Poole, Dorset, England, UK)

As a busy harbour town, life in Poole is very much centred around its waterfront and High Street, where shops and a number of interesting cultural attractions are based. The Poole Waterfront Museum ranks amongst the town's most notable and is easy to find, since this historic red-brick building now features a modern glass atrium for its entrance.

Many interesting exhibits are housed within the Poole Waterfront Museum, including displays relating to the town's rich seafaring heritage, which in the past has even featured pirates. Particularly interesting is the information regarding the famous Studland Bay wreck, while children will likely enjoy the brass rubbing and quiz sheets. Next door is the popular Scaplen's Court Museum, which serves as something of a local educational centre.

Local History Centre

Address: 4 High Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1BW, England
Tel: +44 (0)1202 262600
The town's Local History Centre is housed within the main Poole Waterfront Museum and provides extensive information about the history of the town itself. Known for its excellent research facilities, the Local History Centre is the place to come if you would like to learn more about the town's origins and the past events that have shaped its appearance of today.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Poole Waterfront Museum

Address: 4 High Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1BW, England
Tel: +44 (0)1202 262600
The Poole Waterfront Museum is also home to the Local History Centre and is situated next to the Quayside itself, in historic buildings. Attractions here include many interesting displays and exhibitions, such as the Studland Bay Wreck, information about the Roman occupation of the area, and trade links with Newfoundland.
Open hours: April to October, Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00, November to March, Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 15:00, Sunday - 2:00 to 15:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children

Scaplen's Court Museum

Address: 4 High Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1BW, England
Tel: +44 (0)1202 262600
The Scaplen's Court Museum is situated next to the Poole Waterfront Museum, in an ancient, historic building. Attractions at Scaplen's Court include a fragrant walled herb garden, many interesting exhibits and local artefacts, and an education centre for school children.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Study Gallery

Address: North Road, Poole, Dorset, BH14 0LS, England
Tel: +44 (0)1202 205200
The Poole Study Gallery is one of the town's most important art galleries and houses a large collection of mid-20th century art works, including paintings by a number of well-known artists, such as Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. There are a wide range of temporary exhibitions held throughout the year at the Study Gallery, and there are also workshops and many other exciting events.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

The Poole Lighthouse

Address: Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG, England
Tel: +44 (0)1202 665334
The Poole Lighthouse is one of the town's newest centres for arts and there are a number of excellent exhibitions within the art galleries based here. These include contemporary photography, digital art and numerous activities, with the Lighthouse hosting a multitude of popular events throughout the year.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Other interesting museums in the Poole area include the following museums:

• Aldershot Military Museum
  Address: Queens Avenue, Aldershot, GU11 2LG, England
• Andover Museum of the Iron Age
  Address: 6 Church Close, Andover, SP10 1DP, England
• Beaulieu Motor Museum
  Address: John Montagu Building Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, SO42 7ZN, England
• Bournemouth Aviation Museum
  Address: Hangar 600 Bournemouth International Airport, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6SE, England
• Breamore House and Countryside Museum
  Address: Breamore, Fordingbridge, SP6 2DF, England
• Buckler's Hard Maritime Museum
  Address: Buckler's Hard Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, SO42 7XB, England
• Cavalcade of Costume Museum
  Address: Lime Tree House The Plocks, Blandford, DT11 7AA, England
• D-Day Museum and Overlord Embroidery
  Address: Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, PO5 3NT, England
• The Dinosaur Museum
  Address: Icen Way, Dorchester, DT1 1EW, England
• Dorset County Museum
  Address: High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1XA, England
• The Dorset Teddy Bear Museum
  Address: Antelope Walk, Dorchester, DT1 1BE, England
• Fleet Air Arm Museum
  Address: RNAS Yeovilton Ilchester, Yeovil, BH22 8HT, England
• The Gurkha Museum
  Address: Peninsula Barracks Romsey Road, Winchester, SO23 8TS, England
• The King's Royal Hussars Museum
  Address: Peninsula Barracks Romsey Road, Winchester, SO23 8TS, England
• The Keep Military Museum
  Address: Peninsula Barracks Romsey Road, Winchester, SO23 8TS, England
• Langton Matravers Museum
  Address: St. George's Close Langton Matravers, Swanage, BH19 3HE, England
• Mechanical Music and Doll Collection
  Address: Church Road Portfield, Chichester, PO19 4HN, England
• Museum of Army Flying
  Address: Middle Wallop, Stockbridge, SO20 8DY, England
• Museum of Electricity
  Address: The Old Power Station Bargates, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1QE, England
• New Art Centre Sculpture Park and Gallery
  Address: Roche Court East Winterslow, Salisbury, SP5 1BG, England
• New Forest Museum and Visitor Centre
  Address: High Street Lyndhurst, SO43 7NY, England
• Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
  Address: Porter's Lodge Building 1/7 College Road, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, PO1 3LJ, England
• Priest's House Museum and Garden
  Address: 23-27 High Street, Wimborne, BH21 1HR, England
• Red House Museum and Gardens
  Address: Quay Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1BU, England
• Redcoats in the Wardrobe
  Address: 58 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2EX, England
• Royal Marines Museum
  Address: Eastney Esplanade, Southsea, PO4 9PX, England
• Royal Navy Submarine Museum
  Address: Royal Navy Submarine Museum Offices, Hasler Jetty Road, Gosport, PO12 2AS, England
• Royal Signals Museum
  Address: Blandford, Blandford Forum, DT11 8RH, England
• Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum
  Address: East Cliff, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 3AA, England
• Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum
  Address: The King's House 65 The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EN, England
• Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum
  Address: Bashley Cross Road, New Milton, BH25 5SZ, England
• Tank Museum
  Address: The Tank Museum, Bovington, BH20 6JG, England
• The Tutankhamum Exhibition
  Address: High west Street, Dorchester, DT1 1UW, England
• Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum
  Address: TVC Memorial Cottages Tolpuddle, near Dorchester, DT2 7EH, England
• Vintage Costume Collection
  Address: Village Hall Spetisbury, Blandford Forum, DT11 9DD, England

Interesting arts and crafts centres in the Poole area include:

• Atrium Gallery
  Address: Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus, Poole, Dorset, BH12 5BB, England
• Branksome China Works
  Address: Shaftesbury Street, Fordingbridge, SP6 1JF, England
• Pavilion Theatre
  Address: Westover Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 2BU, England
• Poole Pottery Ltd
  Address: The Quay, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1RF, England
• Regent Centre
  Address: 51 High Street, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1AS, England
• Whitchurch Silk Mill
  Address: 28 Winchester Street, Whitchurch, RG28 7AL, England