Ashley Cross is the answer to "where do locals go?" in Poole. A small green in Lower Parkstone, ringed on all four sides with independent places to eat and drink, and busy on a wet Tuesday in February as well as in August.
Eating and drinking
Restaurants covering most obvious cuisines and several less obvious ones, pubs and bars with tables out on the green, and cafes for the daytime.
Why it works
It is not dependent on the weather or the season, which is unusual on this coast, and everything is within a minute's walk of everything else.
Getting there
About a mile and a half from Poole Quay, served by buses, and walkable in around half an hour.
Staying here
Guest houses and lets around Parkstone put you within walking distance of all of it. See accommodation.