Explore These 14 Unusual Things To See and Do in and Around Poole

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Finding things to do in your local area can be hard, and we can easily fall into habits and go to the same places and do the same things.

Poole and the surrounding areas have an endless amount of things on offer and can often draw a large crowd, making it busy and hard to enjoy the moment.

Here is a list of unusual things you can see and do in Poole and some surrounding areas that are guaranteed to pique your interest and offer unique and affordable experiences for everyone to enjoy.

Have fun exploring Dorset and the interesting places it has to offer!

Explore the Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum

The Purbeck Clay Museum lets you experience what it was like in a typical Purbeck Clay mine. The museum is bursting with history to do with Purbeck Ball Clay and the industrial narrow gauge railways.

The organisation is run by volunteers, and there is no entry fee; however, a small donation will be welcomed.

There is also an activity trail and counting game for children to play and get involved.

📍 Address: Purbeck Park Norden Nr BH20 5DW

Escape to the Courtyard Tearoom

In Poole Old Town, you can find a little hidden gem. Visit the Courtyard Tearooms for a gorgeous and quaint afternoon tea, grab a light lunch or fill up with a breakfast.

The tearooms are tucked away from the busy high street making it the perfect setting to catch up with friends and enjoy the homemade cakes.

It is believed there is a resident ghost named Annabelle so look out for any spooky goings on!

📍 Address: 48a High St, Poole BH15 1BT

Visit History at Wimborne Chained Library

Visit the second-largest surviving chained libraries in Wimborne Minster. Walk up the 600-year-old staircase and visit a unique spot; this was considered one of the first public libraries in the country and offers a selection of books dating as far back as 1686.

A local doner insisted the books he donated in 1695 be chained and free for the people of the town to read them, providing they’re shopkeepers or a better class of person.

Check opening times when visiting, as they vary and depend on church use.

📍 Address: Wimborne Minster, Highstreet, BH21 1EB

Step Inside St Aldhelms Chapel

Standing close to the cliff tops is this 12th-century chapel on St Aldhem head in Worth Matravers.

Legend has it that a bride and groom died after their boat overturned off the headland, and the bride’s father had the chapel built to prevent sailors from doing the same as his daughter.

This building is full of history and is beautiful to visit from the inside and the outside.

The chapel is open 24/7 and is free to enter, making it a photographer’s haven and a great place to visit with no time restrictions.

You can only reach the building on foot coming from the Renscombe farm or via The South West Coast Path.

📍 Address: Worth Matravers, Swanage BH19 3LN

Take in the Views at Fort Henry

Fort Henry is a 90-foot grade II listed World War Two bunker. Built in 1943, it was once used as a lookout and used to defend the bay from any german invasion.

Today, it is owned by the National Trust, and you can visit the bunker and take in the amazing views of Studland.

The bunker also is part of the Studland Beach Second World War Walk. Visiting is free and a National Trust Carpark is close by.

📍 Address: Beach Rd, Studland, Swanage BH19 3AX

Check out the Beautiful Blandford Fashion Museum

A perfect trip for any fashionistas out there!

This volunteer-run fashion museum is situated in a beautiful Georgian property in Blanford Forum. Take a trip through time and explore the 2 floors worth of fashion.

Check out different textiles and types of historic dress through the 13 different display spaces.

A gift shop and tea rooms offer Dorset cream teas, light bites, hot drinks and homemade cakes, which can be enjoyed inside or in the enclosed courtyard.

📍 Address: Lime Tree House, 11 The Plocks, Blandford Forum DT11 7AA

Climb Lady Wimborne Bridge

Hidden away in Wimborne, you can find this beautiful and elaborate former railway bridge.

Built in 1853, it was made in such a way to hide the railway track; the bridge is stunning to look at with its carvings and elegant design.

Now no longer in use and left abandoned, walkers and hikers can visit the bridge, go underneath or climb to the top.

A fantastic place for photo opportunities and a hidden gem nestled in nature.

Read more about the Lady Wimborne Bridge here.

📍 Address: 1QL, UK, 34 Oakley Rd, Bournemouth, Wimborne

Hike up to Clavell Tower

The Clavell Tower is a beautiful grade II listed building situated on top of Hen Cliff, east of Kimmeridge Bay.

Built-in 1830, this Tuscan-style building has inspired many artists, photographers and writers, notably Thomas Hardy and P.D James’ 1975 novel ‘The Black Tower.’

Through the years, the tower has been many things, such as a lookout and a place to stay.

At the moment, it is a place to visit and admire from the outside, offering great photo spots and views of Kimmeridge.

You can also spot Clavell Tower along the South West Coast Path hike.

📍 Address: Kimmeridge, Wareham BH20 5PE

Visit Uncle Albert’s grave

Visit the resting place of the national treasure, Buster Merryfield.

He is best known for his catchphrase ‘during the war’ in his role as Uncle Albert in ‘Only Fools and Horses’

He is buried at Verwood Cemetary after being a loved and respected member of the Verwood community.

📍 Address: Ringwood Rd, Verwood BH31 7AR

Take in the Views at Radar Memorial

Hikers on The South West Coast Path will find this unique and unusual memorial statue.

The memorial was built to remember the radar research and work during World War II in Worth Matravers.

Situated on the cliffs of St Albans Head by St Aldhelms Chapel. The statue is meant to represent two radar dishes and they are arranged to also look like a fire basket. This is to represent ancient and modern ways to warn of invasion.

📍 Address: Worth Matravers, Swanage BH19 3LN

Explore the Swanage Old Gaol

Erected in 1803, the sign above the door reads ‘Erected for the Prevention & Vice & Immorality By The Friends of Religion & good Order. AD 1803’

It is believed that this is the smallest prison in England and was most likely a drunk tank for the local drunks.

📍 Address: Town Hall Ln, Swanage BH19 1EX

Spot The Powder House

More visible during low tide and mostly ruins, you’ll spot The Powder House, located near Baiter Park in Poole.

Approximately built in 1775, this once-stone building was used to store gunpowder from the ships coming into Poole Harbour.

It was stored there to prevent the risk of explosion. Take a walk around Baiter Park and see if you can locate The Powder House remains.

📍 Address: Poole BH14 8EW

Be Blown Away by the Beauty of St Nicholas’s Church

St Nicholas’s Church is a Church of England parish church in Moreton.

As well as a place of worship, the church is a beautiful place to visit and is most famous for its breathtaking engraved glass windows.

The church was bombed in 1940, and a lot of the church was destroyed. After restoring the church the new engraved windows were added.

Each window is unique and beautifully done, giving the church that beautiful added touch to an already stunning space.

📍 Address: Moreton, Dorchester DT2 8RH

Visit the Wellington Clock Tower 

The Wellington Clock Tower was originally built on the southern end of London Bridge.

However, due to heavy traffic that caused the clock to be unreliable the tower was taken down.

George Burt, a contractor that was based in Swanage, saw the beauty in the tower and brought it over to Swanage, where it has sat in pride of place on Peveril Point ever since.

When visiting, you can’t help but notice this amazing clock tower (that doesn’t tell the time!)

📍 Address: Peveril Point Rd, Swanage BH19 2BB