From thento now
Poole Museum occupies an estate of three Grade I and II listed buildings: Oakley’s Mill, a Victorian grain warehouse and later mill; the Town Cellars, a medieval commercial warehouse; and Scaplen’s Court and Garden, a medieval merchant’s house in a courtyard style with a 1930s walled herb and physic garden.
Complementing the historic estate of buildings is Sir Anthony Caro’s striking Sea Music Sculpture, an engaging piece of contemporary public art on the Quay.
Poole Museum reopened in November 2025 after a transformational redevelopment that refreshed and revitalised the entire museum estate, breathing new life into some of the town’s most historic spaces.
Twenty years earlier, a £1.3 million refurbishment introduced the glass atrium at the front of Oakley’s Mill.
Today, this bright and welcoming space serves as the museum’s entrance, home to the welcome area and museum shop filled with locally inspired finds.
Step beyond the atrium and Oakley’s Mill reveals itself as a characterful Victorian grain warehouse and flour mill, where sturdy timber beams and historic features offer a glimpse into Poole’s industrious past.
Now, it’s home to a range of galleries and displays, including the striking Abeona installation, which stretches across three floors and rewards those who look up (and down!).
Deeper into the museum, the medieval Town Cellars, a Grade I listed building dating back to around 1300, adds another chapter to the museum's history.
With its impressive stone walls and timber roof, this space has witnessed centuries of change and now houses the immersive Shipwreck! exhibition - and our 2,000 year old log boat!
Close by, Scaplen’s Court and Garden, Poole’s most complete (and intriguingly complex) medieval merchant’s house, offers a different pace.
Fully accessible and open year-round, it’s a place to wander, pause and explore, with its café and peaceful walled herb and physic garden. It also continues its long tradition as a gathering place, hosting weddings, events and special occasions.
A very short stroll to the quayside brings another highlight into view: the internationally celebrated Sea Music sculpture by Sir Anthony Caro, a striking reminder of Poole’s connection to the sea.
This internationally renowned artwork from 1991, is Caro’s only site-specific creation, designed to echo the rhythm of the sea, the masts and sails of ships, and Poole’s proud maritime history.
Its elevated platforms invite you to explore the sculpture up close and enjoy stunning views of Poole Harbour, blending art and landscape like never before.
Together, these spaces form the Poole Museum estate, a collection of places where the story of Poole unfolds layer by layer. From ancient port to modern town, it’s a story still being discovered, with plenty more to uncover along the way.