Poole Museum Transformed!

10 Million reasons to visit Poole Museum! 

Back in 2022, Poole Museum and Scaplen’s Court closed their doors to begin a major refurbishment - a transformation that’s been in development for over three years. Thanks to over £10 million in grant funding and the dedication of their brilliant team, the project has grown even bigger and bolder than first imagined!

And now, at long last, the Museum has reopened! We took a sneak peek during their soft launch and were thrilled to see the building and exhibition spaces bursting with fascinating displays - from an Iron Age logboat to the much-loved hippo many will remember from shopping trips to Poole in the 1980s!

Spread over five floors and free to enter (donations welcome), the museum is an absolute must-visit. You can’t miss the spectacular Walrus Tusk sculpture that winds its way to the very top of the building, intricately depicting local scenes, sea creatures, and more - it’s truly stunning.

The ground floor, Harbour Life, explores Poole Harbour’s story from the Ice Age to the present day, from maritime history and fishing to the RNLI and the wonderful Birds of Poole Harbour.

Through the doors, you’ll find one of our favourite exhibitions: Shipwreck! Housed in the beautifully restored Town Cellars, a medieval port warehouse, this space tells the story of Poole’s seafaring past. Discover the Iron Age logboat up close, along with artefacts recovered from Studland Bay and the Swash Channel wrecks.

Venture upstairs (by lift or stairs) to find more galleries dedicated to Poole’s rich history, from pirates and superstition at sea to hands-on interactive areas perfect for children (and the young at heart). There are even smells to experience - some pleasant, some less so! Don’t miss the fabulous collection of Poole Pottery, showcasing incredible designs from over the years, or the fine art gallery-within-a-gallery.

One floor is dedicated to changing exhibitions, a flexible space designed for new installations and artistic surprises. Right now, it’s home to Sound of the Sea, mesmerising sea creatures that dance and move with you: seeing is believing!

Before you leave, be sure to wander next door to Scaplen’s Court, the museum’s beautifully restored medieval merchant's house and gardens. It reopened in the summer and now houses a welcoming coffee shop run by local favourite, The Salt Pig. With regular events and workshops to take part in, it's the perfect spot to relax after exploring the museum.

So, what are you waiting for? Poole Museum is ready to welcome you. Entry is free, so why not make a day of it and rediscover one of Poole’s cultural gems.