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Discover ourgroup travel offers!

group visit

We’re looking forward to welcoming groups back to Poole Museum to discover our amazing transformation!

 

With fresh new galleries, exciting exhibitions, modern facilities, a mouth-watering café, better access than ever before, and a vibrant museum shop, it’s the must place to visit for 2026!

 

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.

 

You can go at your own pace with a self-guided visit or dive deep into Poole’s impressive past with one of our guided group tours. Either way, you’re in for a treat! 

 

 

Discover more than you expected

 

Uncover Poole’s rich heritage - from lustrous Poole Pottery vases to cannonballs salvaged from a shipwrecked Spanish galleon! Explore our three new maritime galleries with exciting new exhibits and interactive displays.

 

Step back in time at Scaplen’s Court and Garden - a beautifully restored medieval merchant’s house with stories in every stone. 

 

Something for everyone! With more accessible spaces, modern amenities, and a jam-packed programme of events, workshops, and activities, there’s always something happening. 

 

Big-name exhibitions? You bet!  Enjoy high-profile and touring exhibitions within our new dedicated gallery on the fourth floor

 

Refuel in style - recharge with refreshments in our new café, The Old Town Salt Pig, or enjoy as part of your group package within a private dining area in our unique and historic surroundings.  

 

 

Tours for all tastes 

 

Step into the story with a guided group tour! Our expert guides will take you through curated experiences, including highlights of the museum, a deep dive into Poole’s maritime past, and a stroll through our historic buildings and tranquil herb and physic garden. 

 

Feeling adventurous? We’re planning some one-of-a-kind specialist tours – think exclusive exhibitions, behind-the-scenes secrets, and hands-on experiences. 


And because we know that great stories pair perfectly with great food, we offer discounted catering packages when you book your tour in advance. Enjoy refreshments in our unique cultural spaces - it’s the cherry on top of your group day out! 

 

Guided tour

Sample group itinerary

 

While we’re busy perfecting our group experiences, here’s a sample itinerary to give you a glimpse of what’s to come: 

 

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

 

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

 

11am: Take a 60-minute journey through Poole’s past with our highlights tour! Discover brand-new galleries, meet our most treasured objects, and hear the tales that make them special, all with the help of our brilliant guides who’ll make sure you get the most out of your visit. 

 

1pm: Your group could enjoy a delicious buffet lunch or a classic afternoon tea served in the story-filled surroundings of Scaplen’s Court. You’ll also have the chance to wander round the tranquil walled garden; a hidden oasis of greenery tucked away on Poole Quay.  

 

2pm: With so much to see and do on Poole Quay, why not extend our adventure with a scenic boat ride? After exploring the museum, take in the coastal charm from the water. It’s the perfect way to round off your visit! 

 

Postcards

Prices 

To give you a taste of what’s to come, our Highlights Tour will be around £15-£20 per person.

 

Enjoy a one-hour guided journey through our top collection pieces, followed by a relaxing tea or coffee and a delicious treat in our brand-new museum café. 

Garden group

Make your group visit extra special! 

 

To make your visit even more memorable, we’re planning special touches like costumed guides, behind-the-scenes access to rarely seen treasures, and interactive moments where you can handle real artifacts. 

 

We’re also working on exclusive combination experiences, like pairing your tour with a tasting session, or joining one of our hands-on workshops for a unique interaction with our collections. 

 

Coach-friendly access

 

If you're arriving by coach, you’ll find five drop-off spaces on Old Orchard (BH15 1HJ), just 160 metres from Poole Museum – a pleasant five-minute stroll along the picturesque Poole Quay. Please note, waiting is not permitted at the drop-off point. 

 

Free coach parking  is available at: 

 

  • Poole Stadium Coach Park (BH15 2BP) 

 

  • Seldown Car Park (BH15 1TA) 

 

 

The Old Town Salt Pig Café

 

Visitors can look forward to relaxing in our new café, nestled within the beautifully restored Scaplen’s Court and Garden. This medieval gem has been thoughtfully redeveloped and is now more accessible than ever with it’s own platform lift for the first time.

 

Groups will have the option to enjoy light refreshments in the café or upgrade to a private dining package on the first floor – perfect for adding a special touch to your visit. 

 

Cake
Scaplen's Court herb and physic garden

Let’s make it happen!  

While entry is free, we encourage groups of 10+ to pre-book to avoid disappointment.

 

Whether you're organising a club outing, or a special interest group tour, or a day with a lot of friends, contact us to arrange a visit that’s memorable, well-organised, and full of discovery! 

 

T: 01202 128 888   

 

E: hello@poolemuseum.org.uk