Poole

Poole Quay ...

A hive of activity, the quay has a long history dating back to Roman times. A few hundred years ago, Poole was one of the countries foremost fishing ports with boats from the town voyaging all the way to the Grand Banks and Newfoundland for cod. As with any sea-port, piracy and smuggling were big business; the town was sacked by the Spanish in 1405 as retribution for the raids of Harry Paye, and in 1747 the Custom House was raided by 60 angry smugglers anxious to reclaim their seized contraband.

Now a little more relaxed, Poole Quay is home to leisure boating and many pubs, some with live music.

Perhaps one of Poole Quay's more famous events is the summer Bike Nights, attracting visitors from a wide area to appreciate the fantastic modern and vintage bikes on show. If you are looking for biker friendly accommodation, Brook Farm a few miles away offers great bed and breakfast in a picturesque Dorset village.

From Fisherman's Dock walking west, past the ugly apartment block built on the site of the famous Poole Pottery will bring you to the commercial part. Here you can see live concerts, and every summer Tuesday evening the quay is given over to motor-cycles, thousands of them, vintage to modern, well worth a look!