Poole Museum

The museum has recently reopened after renovations and spans five stories filled with fascinating exhibits. If you're interested in learning more about Poole's history—especially its role during the war and its trading connections with Newfoundland in North America—this is a must-visit. The exhibits cover everything from the Stone Age to modern-day Poole and the surrounding Wessex region. It is free to visit the museum.

It’s easy to walk around and good even when the weather is wet. It’s not very large, but still a nice, peaceful visit if you’re curious about Poole’s history.

Amazing new museum. Full of interactive exhibits for children and fascinating history. Lovely café too ☺️

I visited today for the first time since the museum reopened, and I am really impressed with the work that has been done. The exhibits are all well displayed, the staff are so enthusiastic and helpful, and the building looks absolutely amazing. Too much to see in one visit

Wow, what a transformation. It is unrecognisable from the previous museum. A success on so many fronts. The subjects of harbour life, setting sail and shipwreck are all well presented for all ages and attention spans (me). The exhibition on the 4thfloor “The Sound of the Sea”, is a total knockout which was stunning. If you look at the video you can watch an avatar of me disappearing into the tentacles of the sea creatures. The redesign has been sensitively and imaginatively handed from the building fabric to the display cases. The cafe in Scaplen’s Court, managed by The Old Town Salt Pig, has many tasty , delicious energy reviving drinks and snacks if a rest is required. Before heading back to the museum do explore Scaplen’s Court, a medieval merchant’s house which has been totally refurbished and reinvented, I could go on and on but will leave it there except to mention the truly stunning and new display of the Iron Age Log boat. If you saw it in the old museum, you will know what I mean. The best news: The Museum is free!

Spent an informative couple of hours here, what a lovely museum! Yes it's new so very clean compared to others I've been to lately but the building itself is amazing and the exhibits beautifully presented. My own kids are grown up but I could see how well it's been designed with youngsters in mind, really giving them a chance to engage. Loved all the info on the bird life and being able to listen to real people giving their commentary on their own experiences. The interactive experience was fun too, felt a part of some of them, very calming. Didn't even get to see Scaplens court and have a drink and cake do I will definitely be back in the Spring.

I was really looking forward to visiting the museum as millions of pounds have been spent, so I had high hopes for it. We visited on a weekday. We loved all the exhibits and there has been definitely alot of money spent to improve the lighting and the exhibit displays. There is level access through the front door and plenty of space in the reception/gift shop area with very helpful staff on the till. There is a map by the door to the galleries showing what is on each level of the museum and that includes the toilets, of which there were a couple of fully wheelchair accessible toilets, although no changing places toilet. The major barrier if you are a wheelchair user like I am or have problems opening heavy doors is the complete lack of automatic opening doors to the galleries. There were two sets of fire doors to the Shipwreck gallery on level 0 and then one set of heavy fire doors to the level one gallery and each of the other galleries on the floors above that. There was one very helpful staff member in the Shipwreck gallery but no members of staff in the other galleries to help open the doors which is a huge letdown considering the amount of money spent. Thankfully I had my husband with me to open doors for me but without that it would have been impossible to visit any of the galleries above the ground floor as I couldn't guarantee access to the galleries. When we visited it wasn't that busy especially above the ground floor so there were not many visitors around who could have helped me either. Even if for some reason due to fire safety they could only have heavy non automatic fire doors, then surely a staff member on each floor to open doors, to answer any queries or in the event of a medical emergency or a fire be there to help, would have been really helpful. If you are in one of the galleries above the ground floor and have a medical emergency or there is a fire then there would be no member of staff to help you right away. The lift to all the floors is a decent size and that was good as the previous lift before the renovation work began was tiny. Sorry if this review sounds negative as I don't mean it too, it is just how I view the museum from the point of view of a wheelchair user and the concerns that I have.

Worth a visit if you have little ones and want to balance between interactivity and history. Good yarns about the sea life. Kept my little one entertained for a good while. And it’s free (please donate).

A very intresting look into poole's history. having children of all ages , some of the history went over there heads but there was alot of hands on things to keep them entertained. having a child in a buggy , we got around just fine thanks to lifts to each floor and nice wide isles to walk along. The staff were very friendly and explained a few things to us. The view from the terrace was lovely. just inside there was a coffee machine , so you could sit and enjoy the view. we wil visit again for sure and best of all its Free !!!!

The photo shown is scaplen's court museum. This is a smaller town house museum and is only open to the public during August. It shows demonstrations of everyday life through the years. Next to Scaplen's court is the Poole Waterfront museum. Having only recently re opened after a huge redevelopment this is the home of the Poole longboat an iron age longboat which was found off the coast and has been preserved. As well as the long boat there is plenty to see from old shops laid out as they would have been in the years past to the stories of the smuggling that took place many years ago and that Poole is known for. There is also areas dedicated to the town as it is now with videos on sunseeker one of the towns biggest companies. There are plenty of car parks within walking distance and you are a stones throw from the quay itself. I am not sure of the cost for entrance as Poole residents get free admission but it is always good to know about the town you live in and The Poole water front museum does that.

Agreat place to visit for all ages. the history is well told as you walk through the different displays. children can fill out a question sheet as they go round, to help them understand the museum more.

Recently underwent total refurbishment and is well worth a visit.. my favourite is a mock up of a Poole street of bygone days complete with sound effects friendly and knowledgable staff quiz sheets for children on entry.. and the usual range of souvenirswhether you are a resident interested in the history of Poole. or a visitor you will find something to interest you.