Historic Walking Tour of Poole
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Guide: In-person: English
This is a guided walking tour of Poole
We do not provide headsets since this is a fully guided tour.
What To Expect
Brownsea Island
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.
Poole Museum
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.
Options
Private Tour
Private Tours
Private Tour, Start Time TBD
If the tour times do not work with your schedule, please send us a message through Viator with your travel dates.
Historic Walking Tour of Poole
Reviews
11 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Back in time!
heatherlC6258GE,
Jun 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Spent an hour and a half with the guide who took me back in time to explain some interesting history of Poole. I now know much more about the area and am intrigued to know more. Highly recommended!
Fabulous, thank you Kate
GrandTour09123902047,
Jun 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fascinating, relaxed and informative tour Kate gave us. We’ve lived in Poole for nearly 40 years and Kate told us so much about the environs of Poole old town that we never knew before. And the family members who joined us, who aren’t local, were thrilled. Can’t recommend this tour enough, both for locals and visitors to Poole.
Highly recommended for visitors and people who live locally.
Mobile57520720088,
May 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great tour, I highly recommend it to visitors and people who live locally. Kate gets the balance just right between the big historical events for Poole - Romans, Vikings, 18th century trading, Second World War - and fascinating details about the actual buildings of the old town and the people who lived there. Its informative and fun and Kate is a relaxed and friendly tour leader.
A Must-Do Tour
Dreamer05036319786,
Mar 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kate was a brilliant tour guide on this fascinating journey through Poole’s history from early settlers, quaint medieval streets, Victorian buildings, to the modern town. I particularly enjoyed hearing of all the quirks and unique stories of Poole in its heyday - accompanied by lived experience and local knowledge. A must-do tour for both visitors and locals!
Historic tour of Poole
Emma108,
Feb 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.001.5 hours of the most fascinating history of Poole and the surrounding area. Kate was a wonderful guide, I learnt so much. Wonderful way to spend time.
Walking tour
elainebV1857SU,
Feb 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Kate was excellent, very knowledgeable and pleasant. Saw parts of Poole I didn’t know and learned a lot of interesting history
A great walk through Old Town Poole
Wigmore67,
Nov 29, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We walked through Old Town Poole. A historical view of the town, pubs, houses and surrounding areas. The town links through fishing and trade really interesting.
Gruesome history of Poole intriguing and fun
Adventurer57208,
Nov 27, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We attended the Gruesome History tour of Poole. It was a great fact based tour of some of the less savoury elements of Poole's history enhanced by the actual locations of the events. The tour was well narrated and was done at the pace of the group. If you needed to take a seat for a bit or have a comfort break all facilities were on hand throughout the tour. The host was knowledgeable and able to answer any questions the group posed. I recommend this tour if you want to get a good sense of where Poole has come from throughout the years. The host has a good sense of humour which they inject into the commentary.
Poole historical walk
Escape21225,
Oct 8, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An interesting and informative walking tour of Poole old town. Our guide was helpful and knowlegable making it an enjoyable experience. Recommended.
Historical
Jackie B,
Sep 10, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Guide was very good and had a lot of information. Finding out so much about Poole and streets we did not know existed was brilliant
From £15.00
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Operated by Poole Tours