Poole in a Heatwave

When it is genuinely hot, Poole’s problem stops being the weather and becomes the car parks.

Arrive early or do not drive

Beach car parks at Sandbanks and the chines fill by mid-morning on a hot day. The bus from town is routinely faster door to door. Better still, come by train and skip it entirely.

Pick the right beach

Branksome Dene and Hamworthy Park over Sandbanks. Same sea, fraction of the people.

Find the shade

The chines are wooded valleys cutting down the cliff to the sand, and they are several degrees cooler than the beach. Upton Country Park and the woodland on Brownsea Island do the same job.

Get on the water

A sheltered, shallow harbour on a hot day is the best place in Poole to be. See watersports and boat trips.

Stay safe

Swim between the flags where lifeguards are on duty. Do not swim in the harbour entrance. Watch inflatables in an offshore breeze: it is the commonest cause of rescues on this coast. And heathland is tinder-dry in a heatwave, so no fires or disposable barbecues anywhere near it. See beach safety.

Written by The Poole Guide. This guide draws on local knowledge and public information about Poole always check opening times and event dates with the venue before you travel.

Make it a stay, not just a day out

If this has you planning a trip, stay close enough to walk back for a jumper. The where to stay section has the Sandbanks hotels, the quieter beds out at Hamworthy and Broadstone, and the self-catering flats around the Quay, with the areas each one suits. For a longer stay or a family, a kitchen usually beats a room: self-catering compares them. Travelling with a dog? See dog-friendly stays.

Frequently asked questions

How do you avoid the crowds in Poole on a hot day?

Arrive at beach car parks before 10am or take the bus, use Branksome Dene or Hamworthy Park rather than Sandbanks, and get on the water: the harbour absorbs people far better than the sand does.

Where is there shade in Poole?

The chines are wooded valleys running down to the beaches and give real shade. Upton Country Park and the woodland on Brownsea Island are the other options.