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Poole Life and Poole Travel Tips
(Poole, Dorset, England)



Poole is a wonderful coastal resort to visit at any time of the year, although the summer months in Poole are particularly busy. Even in the coldest winter, Poole's Harbour and Quayside remains popular and people come to Poole to enjoy the Christmas festivities, decorations and to do their Christmas shopping. The quietest time in Poole is from January to mid-March and this is probably the only time when hotels reduce their prices to attract more tourists to Poole.

Poole Life and Travel Tips: Poole Tourism and Poole Tourist Information Offices - Poole, England
There are a number of tourist information offices and outlets throughout Poole and these provide useful tourist information, such as brochures, maps, attractions information, opening hours, directions and general Poole tourist information.




The main tourist information office in Poole is situated in the Waterfront Museum, next to Poole Quay.

Poole Tourism and Tourist Information Centre - 4 High Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1BW, England
Tel: +44 (0)1202 253253
The Poole Tourist Information Centre is situated in the centre of Poole and provides an extensive range of services, including travel, events and general Poole tourism information.
Open: April, May and October, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
June, July and September, Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:30, Saturday and Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
August, daily - 10:00 to 18:00
November to March, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 15:00

Poole Life and Travel Tips: Poole Safety - Poole, England
As in any large town or city, always maintain an awareness of your surroundings and try to blend in and not look like a tourist when visiting Poole. Although crime levels in Poole are low, look like you know where you are going and be particularly careful with hand baggage. Wear a bag or camera across your body, or even consider using a concealed money belt.

Poole Life and Travel Tips: Places of Worship in Poole - Poole, England
The diverse seaside resort of of Poole is home to a large number of different cultures and most religions have a presence. Many of the churches in Poole belong to the Church of England as places of worship for the Anglican faith, although all faiths are always welcome. Newspapers generally list times of services for the main denominations. Poole contains numerous cathedrals, chapels, mosques, temples and synagogues.

Poole Life and Travel Tips: Poole Pharmacies / Chemists - Poole, England
Most pharmacies in Poole are open from at least 09:00 until around 18:00 and supermarkets often have in-store chemists. Poole drugstores will usually open until 18:00, although some may stay open until later, and these usually have a pharmacy counter for dispensing prescriptions. Drugstores in Poole are like mini-supermarkets, with a wide range of products on sale.

Poole Life and Travel Tips: Language in Poole - Poole, England
English is the most commonly spoken language in the Poole and the United Kingdom, although regional dialects can vary greatly. There are many ways to say the same thing in the English language, so, in most cases, don't worry about trying to think of an alternative.

Poole Life and Travel Tips: Tipping in Poole - Poole, England
Tipping in Poole is quite discretionary, with Poole taxi drivers usually being given a 10% gratuity or thereabouts - although this is not essential. Poole restaurants often include service charges and these are always clearly stated on the menus, otherwise a gratuity of around 10% is usually expected in recognition of prompt and courteous service. Hotel staff in Poole, such as luggage handlers, happily accept a tip of one or two pounds. Generally, no other public service workers in the Poole area expect tips.

Poole Life and Travel Tips: Smoking in Poole - Poole, England
In many buildings and on public transport in Poole, rules restrict smoking and this is usually indicated by no-smoking symbols in prominent places. From July 2007, you are no longer able to smoke inside any of Poole's cafes, bars, restaurants and pubs, although outdoor tables are often provided for those with the need to light up.

Smoking in Poole, and England as a whole, is not as fashionable as it once was, so it is always worth exercising discretion and sensitivity when selecting a place in which to smoke. The best advice would be not to smoke unless others around you do so.

Poole Life and Travel Tips: Invitations to Eat in Poole - Poole, England
Much business is done over the dinner table in Poole and business lunches frequently take place at central Poole restaurants recommended by your host. In most good Poole restaurants there will be a comprehensive wine / beer list and tables usually need to be booked in advance. Business dinners in Poole are also often conducted at home and these tend to be less formal affairs, with a pre-arranged time for arrival about half an hour before dinner is served. Although guests are not expected to arrive bearing gifts, a bottle of wine or flowers are very much appreciated and should be presented upon arrival. Social dinners are rarely formal affairs and guests will be encouraged to relax.

Poole Life and Travel Tips: Social Drinking in Poole - Poole, England
The British love pubs for their informality and social atmosphere. Pubs and wine bars in Poole are most often places to meet and be seen, though each has its own standing in the local community, with some being frequented by business people, locals, celebrities and others by visitors and tourists. Most pubs and wine bars in Poole are friendly places - if there is a good mix of people you can be sure that it is a good pub, otherwise, just close the door and find another nearby.

One of the most common social customs associated with drinking in pubs is that of buying a 'round' of drinks when drinking socially with a group. Members of the group take their turn, in no particular order, and as people's glasses empty it is a good idea to reciprocate and offer to buy the next round.

The belief that the British drink nothing but tea is today very much a myth. Many love drinking coffee, especially from the countless popular coffee shops in Poole that have opened in recent years.

 
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