Poole Historic Old Town Guided Walking Tour

Discover Poole's historic Old Town and learn about its long and interesting history on a guided tour. Visit lanes that were once piers, look behind the High Street facades, and find the curly Cod.
Starting at 19 High Street, your guided walking tour will help you imagine Poole in the centuries gone by. Poole was 'founded' in 1248 when Sir William Longspee sold the land to the citizens to fund his costs for a Crusade from which he never returned. But, Poole has a much longer history that stretches back to the Iron Age and it also has Roman connections. Your will learn how Poole's coastline has been reclaimed, where the town was attacked by the Spanish looking for the pirate Harry Paye, how Codfish from Newfoundland paid for one of Poole's transformations, and where the smuggling tunnels still exist. The main tour takes two hours at a slow walking pace and is on mostly level pavement. It is all wheelchair accessible. A shorter tour is available on request.

Meeting Point

19 High St

19 High St, Poole BH15 1AB, UK

19 High Street is on the lower High Street, not far from Poole Museum. It is next to Setchfield's and has two red doors.

What's included:

• Guide: In-person: English
• This is a guided walking tour of Poole

Not included:

• We do not provide headsets since this is a fully guided tour.

What to expect:

Duration: between 1 hour, 30 minutes and 2 hours

Brownsea Island

Poole Harbour, , Poole, BH13 7EE

From the vantage point of Poole Quay, your guide will tell you Brownsea's medieval ownership, the origin of the castle and its role in saving Poole in WWII.

7 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Poole Museum and Scaplen's Court Museum and Herb Garden

4 High Street, , Poole, BH15 1BW

Your guide will tell you about the medieval history of this important building, its location in the Old Town, and how it was 'returned' to Poole after its disappearance.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included