Car rental Poole

Parking in Poole

• Quay Visitors Car Park is a multi-storey car park situated on Strand Street, with over 500 spaces available.
• Baiter Harbourside One Car Park has over 200 spaces and can be found on Labrador Drive.
• High Street Shops Car Park is a multi-storey car park with over 300 spaces, located on Hill Street.
• Sandbanks Surface Car Park has over 500 spaces and is situated on Banks Road.

Traffic in Poole

The traffic in this coastal town starts to get busy around 11am, especially in peak season. It’s busy again between 3pm and 7pm, especially on a Sunday.

How to get from Poole Ferry Port to Sandbanks Beach

The stunning Sandbanks Beach is found at Banks Road, Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, BH13 7QF. It’s just a 20min drive from our pick-up point.

To get to from Poole Ferry Port to Sandbanks Beach:

1. Head out of the ferry port on New Harbour Road West.
2. Take the first exit at the roundabout to join New Harbour Road North.
3. Turn left on New Quay Road and then, at the roundabout, take the second exit onto the A350.
4. Continue to join the B3068 until you reach Parkstone Road.
5. Join the A35 and then turn onto Park Road followed by Sandbanks Road.
6. Join Shore Road, then Banks Road which will take you to the beach.

Roads and motorways

Main routes in and around Poole

• The A350 takes you from the ferry port, through Poole and north to Chippenham.
• The A35 heads east towards Bournemouth and west towards East Devon.
• The A3049 joins the A350 and A35 to take you north out of the town.

Poole to Newquay

It takes just over three hours to drive down to Cornwall on England’s southwestern tip. Head west out of the town on the A35. Follow this until you join the A30 towards the M5. This will take you back onto the A30 through Exeter and down towards Cornwall, where the A392 takes you into Newquay.

Poole to Jurassic Coast

Poole is so close to the Jurassic Coast that you won’t want to leave without seeing it. Driving the 29km (18 miles) along the B3157 is the best way to see this World Heritage Site. It’ll take around an hour to get to this road. Head out of town to the west on the A35. This will take you through Dorset Area of Natural Beauty to join up with this road.

What to see and do in Poole

Splashdown Waterpark

Dive into one of the biggest and best waterparks in the country – Splashdown Waterpark (BH12 4NY) - with 13 indoor and outdoor flume rides that thrill seekers will love. Ride the Screamer, which takes just five seconds to travel 40 metres, or Infinity, which has lasers and music before you drop into the pool. Free all day parking is available on site.

Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park

The perfect day out for the whole family can be had at Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park (BH16 6EU). Here you can meet a collection of animals including donkeys, ponies, alpacas and deer. Plus, there are loads of fun activities to enjoy throughout the day, including live cow milking demonstrations and deer feeding. Parking is available on site.

Experience watersports

Poole’s harbour and coastline, especially around Sandbanks, is ideal for watersports. Windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are all popular here. You can also experience a Jetski Safari and Aquatic Jetpacks.

Visit Brownsea Island

Park up your rental car by the jetties at Poole Quay or Sandbanks, and jump on a ferry over to the largest island in Poole harbour, Brownsea. There are walking trails to follow through woodlands on National Trust Brownsea Island and a wide array of wildlife to spot.

Poole’s best hotels

Sandbanks Hotel

You can walk straight onto the beach from the modern accommodation at Sandbanks Hotel (BH13 7PS). Views of the Sandbanks can be enjoyed from this hotel, including from the tables in the Seaview restaurant. Unwind after a day of exploring in the pool, steam room and sauna.

Harbour Heights Hotel

Harbour Heights Hotel (BH13 7LW) is situated in a peaceful setting with impressive views across Poole Harbour. You’ll find the boutique rooms have a nautical theme and boast a relaxing spa bath. Take a seat on the terrace and dine al fresco while enjoying the panoramic sea views.

Thistle Poole Hotel

Wake up to views of the harbour from Thistle Poole Hotel (BH15 1HD) in Poole Quay. Tuck into a hearty meal on the terrace before sinking into your comfortable bed. The hotel is ideally situated to explore the town and visit the beaches.

Poole’s best places to eat

Rick Stein

Situated in Sandbanks and boasting views of Poole Harbour, this seafood restaurant serves up fresh fish and shellfish using Rick’s own recipes – including one of his most popular, lobster thermidor. On Saturday and Sunday morning, you can enjoy breakfast here and there is a three-course set lunch available.

Banana Wharf

Tropical and oriental dishes are blended with seafood and classics such as pizza and pasta at this restaurant in Dolphin Quays. Take a seat and tuck into dishes such as the popular Nasi Goreng, while the marina provides a picturesque backdrop.

Bingley’s Bistro

This cozy restaurant offers an intimate setting just off the Quay in Poole’s Old Town. It’s situated in one of the oldest buildings in the town, a 16th century Grade II listed Tudor structure. Homemade dishes on the menu include fillet steak, wild mushroom stroganoff and pan-fried fillet of sea bass. Make sure you glance up to admire the painted ceiling.

Poole’s Best Beaches

Sandbanks Beach

This Blue Flag beach is one of the best not only on the south coast, but the whole of the UK. Relax on the soft golden sand, try out the watersports and take in the beautiful scenery. Some of the luxurious homes here boast sea views and direct access to the beach.

Canford Cliffs Beach

Situated alongside Branksome Chine beach, Canford Cliffs boasts Blue Flag status. It’s one of the most tranquil beaches in Poole and is ideal if you want to sit back and relax. This pristine beach is lined with wooden huts and backed by sandy cliffs.

Branksome Dene Beach

Cliffs tower over this beach which is also a short distance from Branksome Chine. You can stroll along the golden sand throughout the year and many head here with their dogs in tow.