We are temporarily closed for an exciting redevelopment! 

Poole Museum is temporarily closed to the public whilst major conservation and restoration works are underway on our exciting redevelopment project 'Our Museum: Rediscovering Poole's Maritime Heritage’.

 

Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the project aims to transform Poole Museum into an outstanding cultural centre and a modern, thriving community hub, greatly enriching the experience of Poole Quay and Old Town.

Look forward to some exciting new changes

Thanks to National Lottery players, we have planned lots of exciting changes, including:

  • three brand new maritime galleries showcasing more of our collections
  • increased interactive and engaging displays
  • conserved and restored Wool Hall, a significant Grade I listed medieval port building
  • a new temporary exhibitions gallery bringing national touring exhibitions to Poole
  • better access for all our visitors to enjoy their visit to the museum
  • a vibrant events and activities programme for residents and visitors to Poole
Planned re-opening date

We plan to re-open towards the end of 2024. Until then, Poole Museum and Scaplen’s Court are closed to the public. 

Keep up to date with our progress

For the latest news and to keep up to date with our progress, please follow us on Facebook
and Twitter You can also check out our 'Our Museum Journey' blog.

For all other enquiries, please contact us at ourmuseumproject@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Museum on the Move - get involved and take part

There are loads of ways to get involved with Poole Museum while we are closed for redevelopment. From April 2023 we will be taking our ‘Museum on the Move’ to a location near you. Our varied programme of outreach activities and events will bring Poole’s unique stories and heritage out to the local community.

Follow us on follow us on Facebook and Twitter to see what we’re up to!

Explore Poole Museum’s Collections

For the first time, in collaboration with Wessex Museums and The Museum Platform, explore Poole Museum’s Collections using our brand new online database.

From lustrous Poole Pottery vases to cannonballs salvaged from a shipwrecked Spanish galleon, what will you discover…?

Begin your journey

Book a school workshop (for teachers)

As part of our Museum on the Move programme, pilots of our new workshops will be offered for free to our local partner schools. 

For booking enquiries and to check availability, please contact Louise our Learning Assistant: louise.diffey@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

If you are a local teacher, you can also join the museum’s Teacher Panel. Help us to develop new workshops and activities that meet your needs, meet fellow teachers along the way and have some fun learning about local heritage while developing your own CPD. Contact louise.diffey@bcpcouncil.gov.uk to find out more.

Volunteering opportunities

Coming soon!

Poole Museum Volunteers is a dedicated team providing volunteering opportunities at Poole Museum as well as supporting cultural activities in the BCP area.

While work is carried out on the museum buildings, we'll be busy refreshing our volunteering offer with a range of exciting new roles. Please check back for more information later in the year, or keep in touch by receiving our newsletter and following us on social media.

Poole Museum Volunteers | Poole | Facebook

Sign up here to find out more about supporting Museum on the Move and Volunteering at Poole Museum

For Volunteer Newsletters please email: poolemuseumvolunteers@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Support with local history research

Poole History Centre is part of Poole Museum and has resources for all aspects of local history research in an extensive library supported by microfilmed and digitised material.

We are now closed to the public until the museum re-opens in 2024. However, we are able to offer a limited enquiries service by email and telephone. Call our local history team on 01202 128 888 or email localhistory@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Online resources

Wedding and venue hire from 2024/25

As part of our redevelopment project we're refreshing and updating our venue hire and wedding offer.

Although we can't take new bookings at this stage we'd love to tell you more about our new offer from 2024/25. Contact us at museumhire@bcpcouncil.gov.uk to be the first to hear!

Support the museum and its work

You can support our work through Poole Museum Foundation.

Poole Museum Foundation was created in early 2017 to support the needs of Poole Museum and its buildings. It's a registered charity made up of Trustees, a Fundraising and Membership Officer and nearly 100 members who are all passionate about preserving Poole's remarkable heritage and supporting the Poole Museums.

Find out more about Poole Museum Foundation - Charity, History, Museum