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Poole – a rich history and so much to offer today By Marilyn Barber
When you consider that human settlement in Poole dates back to before the Iron Age, it is hardly surprising that so much has been written about its rich history, with a plethora of local books containing fascinating old photos and line drawings. The Romans landed at Poole in the first century during their conquest of Britain and took over an Iron Age settlement at Hamworthy. The earliest recorded use of the town’s name was in the 12th century, when it began to emerge as an important port. Poole established successful commerce with the North American colonies in the 16th century, including the important fisheries of Newfoundland. By the early 18th century, Poole had more ships trading with North America than any other English port and vast wealth was brought to Poole’s merchants. Coming more up to date, in the Second World War it was one of the main departing points for the Normandy landings and
afterwards served as a base for supplies to the allied forces in Europe. The first railway station opened in Hamworthy in 1847 and extended to the centre of Poole in 1872. Today there are services to London and Weymouth. Poole lays claim to the largest natural harbour in Europe and the second largest in the world after Sydney Harbour. Tourists flock to its sandy beaches, which stretch from the Sandbanks peninsula to Sandbanks – most expensive piece of coastal real Branksome Dene Chine. estate in the world Sandbanks has been revealed as the most expensive piece of coastal real estate in the world with the average house price The investment in the Twin Sails Bridge has being £1,223,836. However, you could pay £8m helped to unlock Hamworthy and the old power for your dream home. station site and the Port for redevelopment. It wasn’t always so in Sandbanks and In addition, Poole has negotiated a new many photos exist of empty dunes, in what agreement for a multi-million pound investment until the end of the 19th century was known as in and around the Dolphin Shopping Centre, Parkstone-on-Sea. including a new nine-screen cinema. And what of the Poole of today? Plans also include a new bus station, over On 1 April this year, the authority 400 new homes and a new hotel, a new leisure joined forces with Bournemouth and centre and swimming pool and commercial Christchurch to form BCP Council. office space with potential to accommodate the Regeneration of the town centre relocation of the civic centre. is one of the authority’s top priorities Visitors flock to the Quay, but Poole has so and Poole has attracted over £200m many other attractions too. The Grade 11 listed of public and private investment. Customs House, which was built in 1814 is now
Artist impression of the Dolphin Centre redevelopment, including cinema complex
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4DORSET August 2019
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