After a couple of idyllic nights anchored off Brownsea we piloted DD into nearby Poole Quay marina alongside some impressive neighbours.
Poole is home to the RNLI traning college and 'Sunseeker' where they make super yachts.
Poole has a varied history and some interesting buildings along with a fantastic free museum documenting the town's past. Here are some of our favourites:
A Dutch ship's head in the museum
A green pub
Speedbird
The Old Customs House
Towards the end of our stay in Poole we hired a car as Robin had a medical appointment in Bristol. After a longish day on the roads we arrived back in Poole and rather than returning the vehicle we used the last few hours to take a drive out to Sandbanks and catch the chain ferry to Studland.
Sandbanks has some of the highest property prices in the country but we both agreed that Studland and the Isle of Purbeck across the water were more picturesque.
After another couple of miles we parked on the seafront at Swanage and ate fish finger sandwiches and ham, egg and chips at a cafe with panoramic views out across the sea toward the Isle of Wight.
Robin also opted for a Mr Whippy ice cream some of which can be seen on his beard.
Swanage
We returned to Poole via Corfe Castle grabbing some ‘drive-by’ photos as we passed the iconic misshapen battlements perched at impossible angles on a very steep sided motte.
Corfe Castle
We also dived in and out of Wareham, a beautiful town nestled on the western side of Poole harbour and scene of Viking raids at the hands of Canute. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Poole, both on anchor off Brownsea and in the marina at Poole Quay, and made a note to visit again next time we were passing.
Brownsea Castle
