Poole, self-catering holiday cottages, barns, rural retreats and lodges to rent in Dorset, England

Book a self-catering holiday in Poole and on your doorstep you’ll have a choice of blue flag award winning beaches stretching over 3 miles, a large active harbour from where day trips are organised, a dedicated surfing and watercraft area, an unrivalled choice of restaurants as well as excellent shopping opportunities and plenty of nightlife.

About Cottage Breaks in Poole

When it comes to finding the best beaches on your cottage break away, why not try them all out? Spot the millionaires as you walk along glorious Sandbanks beach, with your dogs too on part of it. Sandbanks beach has been awarded the International Blue Flag Award for the past 24 years and at peak times the sands are regularly sifted, cleaned and raked. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards in spring and summer. Facilities include a play area for the kids, crazy golf and a café.

Nearby Shore Road beach is another lovely sandy beach, where water sports tuition and equipment hire is available. It too is patrolled by lifeguards and also beach wardens offering help and advice.

At the foot of Canford Cliffs is a quiet sloping, sandy beach with lots of wildlife for company. Beach huts along the chine here date back to the 1920s. As with all of Poole’s beaches those at Branksome provide safe family bathing and fun with lifeguards and wardens on hand in spring and summer and on Branksome Deane dogs are welcome all year round. New beach huts for hire are available on Branksome Chine beach. Just which will be your favourite?

Poole is popular with sailors and boating enthusiasts and has a large harbour and marina to recommend it. At the quay you can enjoy spending quality time on your self-catering break just sitting and watching the world go by or take one on the many trips that are available locally. Boats take you around the harbour, to Brownsea Island - home of the scouting movement, along the Jurassic coast on to Swanage and the Isle of Wight. You can even have an all-in one boat and steam train trip to Swanage and Corfe Castle.

If you prefer to stay on dry land you might enjoy the cockle trail. Follow the brass cockles in the pavements that take you from the quay to discover Poole’s heritage, smugglers, ghosts and all. If the weather is against you for a few hours you can take the 3-mile drive from Poole to Tower Park. This leisure complex has something for all the family including an indoor Splashdown water park, cinemas, bowling. bingo, casino games and other amusements.

We trust that you’ve found our hints and tips on Poole helpful. For more advice and free information head for the Tourist Information Centre along the Quay where you can be assured of helpful advice.

For a fun packed family holiday or a thrilling romantic break away, Poole has plenty to offer and could be a great base for discovering some of the best that the West Country has to offer on a cottage holiday.

Whether you choose to book a holiday cottage in Poole, an apartment, a lodge or another type of self-catering holiday accommodation, we hope you have your best holiday yet in Dorset.