Poole

Poole
Motto: 
"Ad Morem Villae De Poole" "According to the custom of the Town of Poole"
Former Poole unitary authority (dark red) within Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (red)
Former Poole unitary authority (dark red) within Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (red)
Coordinates: 50°43′N 1°59′W / 50.717°N 1.983°W / 50.717; -1.983
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Constituent countryEngland
RegionSouth West England
Ceremonial countyDorset
Historic countyDorset
Unitary authorityBournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Government
 • TypeCharter trustee
 • BodyBournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
 • MPs:Jessica Toale (L)
Neil Duncan-Jordan (L)
Vikki Slade (LD)
Area
 • Total25.05 sq mi (64.88 km2)
Population
 (2022)
 • Total151,500
 • Density5,520/sq mi (2,133/km2)
Time zoneUTC0 (Greenwich Mean Time)
Postcodes
BH12–17
Area code01202
ISO 3166-2GB-POL
ONS code00HP (ONS)
E06000029 (GSS)
OS grid referenceSZ009906
Ethnicity
2011 Census[1]
91.9% White British
3.3% Other White
1.0% South Asian
0.3% Black
3.5% Other
Websitepoole.gov.uk

Poole (/pl/ ) is a coastal town and seaport on the south coast of England in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole unitary authority area in Dorset, England. The town is 21 miles (34 km) east of Dorchester and adjoins Bournemouth to the east. Since 1 April 2019, the local authority is Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. The town had an estimated population of 151,500 (mid-2016 census estimates) making it the second-largest town in the ceremonial county of Dorset. Together with Bournemouth and Christchurch, the conurbation has a total population of nearly 400,000.

The settlement dates back to before the Iron Age. The earliest recorded use of the town's name was in the 12th century when the town began to emerge as an important port, prospering with the introduction of the wool trade. Later, the town had important trade links with North America and, at its peak during the 18th century, it was one of the busiest ports in Britain. In the Second World War, Poole was one of the main departing points for the Normandy landings.

Poole is a tourist resort, attracting visitors with its large natural harbour, history, the Lighthouse arts centre and Blue Flag beaches. The town has a commercial port with cross-Channel freight and passenger ferry services, which connect with the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, as well as the French port town of Saint-Malo, Brittany.

The headquarters of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is in Poole, and the Royal Marines have a base in the town's harbour. Despite their names, Poole is the home of The Arts University Bournemouth, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and a significant part of Bournemouth University.

  1. ^ UK Census (2011). "Local Area Report – Poole Local Authority (1946157353)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 9 February 2018.