Poole Museum

Thanks to National Lottery players, lots of exciting changes are underway at Poole Museum 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
• an exciting new café space and enhanced wedding venue
• and much more!

We plan to reopen all the museum buildings fully in spring 2025.

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

There are loads of ways to get involved with Poole Museum while we are closed for redevelopment. Our ‘Museum on the Move’ is popping up at various locations including Seafood and Sounds on Poole Quay on 14 and 15 September 2024 and Arts by the Sea from 27 - 29 September 2024. 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!

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

We’re looking forward to welcoming all types of groups to Poole Museum once we reopen in late spring 2025.

From tour groups to family and friend groups, we offer a range of bespoke group tour packages for 10 or more people, designed to suit your interests and schedule.

Enjoy a self-guided group visit or unlock Poole’s remarkable history on one of our guided group tours to experience the transformed museum.

Explore three new maritime galleries and engaging interactive displays as you wander through beautifully restored medieval buildings. Enjoy national touring exhibitions, improved accessibility throughout, and a vibrant programme of events.

Make your group’s visit extra special with exclusive catering packages. Enjoy delicious food and drink in the heart of historic Poole, perfect for a relaxing break or a celebratory gathering. More information on the catering packages to come!

Whether you're planning a day out with friends, a school trip, or a special interest group tour, Poole Museum offers something for everyone.

Contact us to discuss your group visit from late spring 2025 by emailing museums@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

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.

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 signing up to our newsletter.

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

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 reopens in 2025. 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

• Digital resources are available via Poole History Online, a website containing thousands of photographs and documents relating to the history of Poole.
• For queries about Borough of Poole Archive, please refer to Dorset History Centre’s website: Dorset History Centre (Archives) - Dorset Council
• For general local history resources see Bournemouth Library History Zone: - Heritage Zone (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)

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 in 2025. Contact us at museumhire@bcpcouncil.gov.uk to be the first to hear!

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