An artists impression of the front of Poole Museum - ZMMA

Group Travel

We’re looking forward to welcoming groups back to Poole Museum once we reopen in summer 2025 as an outstanding museum, gallery and cultural centre.

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.

Discover

  • Discover Poole’s heritage from lustrous Poole Pottery vases to cannonballs salvaged from a shipwrecked Spanish galleon! Dive into our three new maritime galleries with exciting new exhibits and interactive displays.
  • Explore more in our beautifully restored historic buildings including Scaplen’s Court and Garden, originally built as a medieval merchant’s house.
  • Experience something for everyone with fully accessible spaces, modern amenities and a vibrant programme of events, workshops, and activities.
  • Enjoy high-profile and touring exhibitions within our new dedicated gallery
  • Recharge with refreshments in our new café or enjoy as part of your group package within a private dining area in our unique and historic surroundings. 

Tours for all

Book onto a guided group tour of the museum led by our knowledgeable and welcoming hosts – with a selection of themed bookable tours available which may include a museum highlights tour, a maritime galleries tour, and an historic building and garden tour.

Or take the unique opportunity to book onto one of our specialist tours which we're currently planning. These could include a special exhibition tour, subject specialist tour, or a behind-the-scenes style tour.

Benefit from discounted rates on group catering packages when booking ahead with a tour – refreshments can be enjoyed within our unique and historic surroundings for that something extra special.

Sample group itinerary 

We're still finalising our new and improved group tour packages, but we've put together a sample group itinerary to give you a flavour of what a visit to Poole Museum may entail:

10am: Welcome - a warm welcome and introduction to the Poole Museum experience onboard the coach – this comes with unexpected surprises!

10.30am: Refreshments - arrival refreshments in the Upper Hall of our newly renovated and fully accessible Scaplen’s Court, previously a medieval merchant's house.

11am: Tour - you could be taken on a 60-minute highlights tour giving an overview of Poole’s remarkable history. You'll visit the museum's brand new galleries, which include three maritime galleries, our Ceramics, Art and Design gallery, which hosts the world's largest public collection of Poole Pottery, our temporary exhibitions gallery and so much more! 

Be introduced to some of the most prized objects in our collections, including the stories behind them. Our knowledgeable guides will look after you and can even provide you with top tips on where to head during the rest of your visit.

1pm: Sustenance -  a Buffet Lunch or Afternoon Tea at Scaplen’s Court with the opportunity to explore this beautiful house and walled garden - an oasis of green on Poole Quay! We'll have a number of different catering options to suit all palates.

2pm: Partnerships - With so much to see and do on Poole Quay, why not enjoy a combination tour with an afternoon boat trip from Poole Quay, and enjoy the views while you glide along the water after visitng the museum (TBC).

Prices

To give you an idea of pricing when we reopen, our Highlights Tour with someone from the museum taking you round the museum, showcasing the top items in our collections, followed by a cup of tea or coffee in our new museum cafe, will be £10 pp.

Special group tours

To make the day extra special, we're planning special activities for our group tours which may include:

  • Costumed guides
  • The opportunity to experience a ‘behind-the-scenes’ look in previously unseen collections
  • Hands on and interactive elements with the opportunity to get up close and handle the objects

We're also busy planning other combination tours such as a tour and special tastings experience, or one of our unique hands on workshops, where you get an exclusive interaction with our collections.

Cafe

When we reopen, you can enjoy lunch or light refreshments in our new cafe on the ground floor of Scaplen's Court and Garden. This medieval merchant's house, next to the main museum building, was previously only open to the public during the summer months and didn't have a lift to the first floor, but it has been transformed through our redevelopment and is now fully accessible throughout. 

Group tours will have the option to grab light refreshments from the museum cafe, or enjoy a private dining package on the first floor of Scaplen's Court once we reopen.

Coach drop off point

If you're arriving by coach, there is a designated drop-off point at Poole Quay close to Poole Museum, approximately 160 meters away - a short five minute walk along the picturesque Poole Quay.

Five drop off spaces are located on Old Orchard, BH15 1HJ, please note no waiting is allowed at this point. 

Free coach parking is available at the following coach parks in Poole:

  •  Main Coach Car Park, Poole Stadium BH15 2BP
  • Seldown Car Park, BH15 1TA

Contact us

Pre-book self-guided visits – our galleries are free to visit but all groups of 10 or more are encouraged to book in advance to avoid any disappointment on the day of your visit.

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 perfect trip.

T: 01202 128 888  

E: museums@bcpcouncil.gov.uk