Welcome to all the latest news and events across Poole. Our coastline is officially shining once again with Blue Flag awarded status for another summer. We’re also looking back at the sad news from Moors Valley, where a much-loved trail has closed after 35 years.

Elsewhere this week, we’ve got details of new crossing plans for Poole roads, major regeneration work beginning in Boscombe, volunteer opportunities at Poole Museum, and plenty of ideas to keep the family busy over half term.

And with the Bank Holiday weekend approaching, there’s loads happening across Poole and Dorset too. From the Purbeck Guitar Festival at Upton Country Park and Food Fest Local in Christchurch to Bournemouth 7s, live music across Ashley Cross and Poole Quay, art exhibitions, fairs and family trails, there’s something happening in every corner of the area this week.

Dive in!

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Some of Poole’s best-loved beaches will once again fly the prestigious Blue Flag this summer, reinforcing the town’s reputation as one of the UK’s top seaside destinations.

Sandbanks Beach, Shore Road Beach and Canford Cliffs Beach have all retained the internationally recognised award, which celebrates excellent water quality, environmental management, safety and visitor facilities.

For Sandbanks, the latest award marks an incredible 39 consecutive years of Blue Flag status since the scheme began.

The awards are organised by Keep Britain Tidy and are seen globally as a mark of high-quality beaches and well-managed coastal areas.

Several other local beaches also received Seaside Awards this year, recognising the high standards maintained across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole coastline.

BCP Council said the awards reflect the hard work carried out year-round by seafront teams, local businesses, volunteers and community organisations to keep the area’s beaches clean, safe and welcoming for residents and visitors alike.

Visitors to Moors Valley Country Park and Forest are saying goodbye to one of the park’s most loved attractions after the Tree Top Trail officially closed following maintenance checks.

The wooden walkway, which has been part of the country park for 35 years, has reached the end of its natural lifespan according to the park team.

In a message shared online, the park said the Tree Top Trail “holds a special place in the memories of so many of our visitors, volunteers and rangers” and thanked everyone who had visited and supported it over the decades.

I was seven years old when the Tree Top Trail opened and absolutely loved going up to walk amongst the trees. Over the past few years, it became something really special to revisit with my own children too. Like so many others, I feel incredibly sad that we unknowingly walked it together for the last time and really hope Moors Valley will one day be able to replace it.

Visitors are now being encouraged to share their memories and photos of the trail on the park’s Facebook page as people reflect on three and a half decades of adventures among the trees.

Poole Museum is looking for new volunteers to help welcome visitors as the popular attraction prepares for a busy summer season and an exciting new exhibition later this year.

The museum is currently recruiting for a variety of roles, including Gallery Crew volunteers who help greet visitors, share stories about exhibitions and support accessibility across the museum spaces.

There are also opportunities at Scaplen's Court, where Museum Makers help bring the historic site to life through welcome walks and storytelling about Poole’s past.

Additional volunteers are also being sought to support the museum’s retail and welcome areas, helping with displays, stock organisation and visitor experience.

One major attraction on the horizon is a new exhibition by contemporary artist Jason Wilsher-Mills, opening in July. The exhibition will feature around 30 artworks alongside new pieces created especially for Poole.

Museum staff say volunteering offers flexible opportunities, full training and the chance to meet new people while becoming part of one of Poole’s growing cultural attractions.

Anyone interested in finding out more can visit the museum’s website.

Local charities and community groups across Dorset are being encouraged to apply for grants from the Hall & Woodhouse Community Chest as the scheme celebrates its 25th year.

The annual fund, which supports volunteer-led organisations and community projects, has increased by £20,000 for 2026, bringing the total available funding to £80,000.

The scheme supports a wide range of causes including youth activities, sports clubs, projects for older people and those with disabilities, arts initiatives, health programmes and environmental work.

The Community Chest is run by Hall & Woodhouse with support from Dorset Community Foundation.

Organisations based across the south of England, including Dorset, are eligible to apply for support to help strengthen local communities and improve facilities for residents.

A huge regeneration project in Boscombe is about to move into its construction phase, bringing new homes, community facilities and public spaces to the area over the next two years.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council says work will begin in June on the Hawkwood Road development, described as Boscombe’s biggest regeneration project to date.

The nine-hectare scheme will eventually deliver 68 council-owned homes for social rent, a new community hub, commercial space, retail kiosks and greener public areas designed to improve connections around the neighbourhood.

The first phase focuses on building a brand new community centre and creating a pedestrian link between Christchurch Road and Hawkwood Road. Construction is expected to continue until August 2027.

To allow work to begin, Hawkwood Road car park will partially close from 29 May before fully shutting from 24 July ahead of the main construction programme.

Councillor Kieron Wilson said the project would create “a neighbourhood that people feel proud of” while helping provide desperately needed affordable homes for local families.

The overall development is expected to be fully completed by August 2028.

What does £12.5 million get you on Sandbanks peninsula? Find out now! 👉 View the property

Two new signal-controlled crossings could soon be installed on busy roads in Poole as part of plans aimed at improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has announced proposals for new toucan crossings on Parkstone Road and Turlin Road.

The first crossing is planned for Parkstone Road near the junction with Birds Hill Road, helping create a safer route between Poole Park and nearby residential areas. The scheme was identified as a high-priority project and secured £300,000 in funding last year.

A second crossing is proposed for Turlin Road outside Bayside Academy, an area regularly used by school pupils and families.

Toucan crossings are designed for both cyclists and pedestrians, allowing people to cross safely together while encouraging more active travel.

Residents can now view the proposals and submit comments through the council’s highway consultation page.

This week’s quiz question is based on the bridge that features in this week’s header picture!

Bus passengers travelling through Bournemouth town centre are being warned of temporary stop changes and road closures as major redevelopment work gets underway around Westover Road and Gervis Place.

This week, Westover Road will close for resurfacing work, meaning all nearby bus stops will move to alternative locations for the week. Gervis Place will also temporarily operate one-way traffic while the work takes place.

Bus operator morebus says passengers should check updated stop locations before travelling, with full details available online.

The changes are only the beginning of a much larger project. From Saturday 23 May, the main section of Gervis Place, from the pedestrian crossing to the junction with Westover Road, including all bus stops, will close for around eight months as part of a major redevelopment scheme in the area.

Anyone regularly travelling through Bournemouth town centre is advised to allow extra time for journeys and check the latest information before heading out.

There’s plenty happening across Poole and Dorset this half term, with museums, castles, parks and islands all putting on family-friendly activities to keep children entertained.

Poole Museum is hosting storytelling tours, creative workshops and interactive talks during the school break, including sea creature clay activities and a family-friendly Dunkirk session exploring the stories of Brownsea Island.

Meanwhile, Kingston Lacy is launching a Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail through its woodland grounds from 23 May, giving young fans the chance to complete outdoor challenges while searching for Pokémon characters.

Over on Brownsea Island, families can enjoy a quirky “Poo-tastic” wildlife trail featuring games, activities and some surprisingly fascinating animal facts.

At Corfe Castle, children can join interactive storytelling tours with the Keeper of the Castle before planting their own nasturtium seeds to take home.

And at Upton Country Park, families can follow a free Historic Explorer Trail around the estate, uncovering stories from Poole’s past and learning about the history of Upton House and the surrounding parkland.

World-class guitar music is heading back to Upton Country Park later this month as the Purbeck Guitar Festival returns for another weekend of live performances in the park’s beautiful walled garden.

The two-day festival takes place across 23 and 24 May and features an impressive mix of folk, blues, jazz, rock and flamenco music.

Saturday’s “Rock It Saturday” line-up includes legendary singer-songwriter Donovan alongside The Story of Guitar Heroes, Gary Cain, Galaxy Thief and Laura Snowden.

Then on Sunday, “Spanish Sunday” brings flamenco and Latino rhythms to Poole with internationally renowned guitarist Juan Martin leading the celebrations.

Food, bars and deckchair seating will all be available across the weekend, with organisers also raising money for Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Tickets start from £45, with weekend passes also available.

One of Poole’s most entertaining and wonderfully spooky experiences is returning this summer as the award-winning Granny Cousins Ghost Walks once again take over the streets of the Old Town.

Led by the unforgettable Victorian character Granny Cousins and the fiery Cockle Kate, the immersive evening walks combine live theatre, local history and ghostly storytelling through the historic streets around Poole Quay.

Expect tales of smugglers, pirates, hauntings and mysterious happenings, all delivered with plenty of humour and audience interaction along the way.

The ghost walks will run every Wednesday evening from 22 July until 2 September, starting outside Scaplen's Court on Sarum Street.

Tickets are priced at £12 for adults, £6 for children or £36 for a family ticket.

Internal Worlds, External Bodies, Lighthouse, Tue-Sat 10am-8pm
Free exhibition by Lisa Riot exploring healing, connection and the space between inner experience and outward expression as part of Dorset Art Weeks.

A Portrait of Bloxworth, Lighthouse, Tue-Sat 10am-8pm
Free exhibition by Joseph J Field showcasing portraits, landscapes and visual social history from the Dorset village of Bloxworth.

MA Painting Students Exhibition, GATHER at The Dolphin, Poole, Tuesday 19 May to Sunday 24 May, 10am-4pm
A week-long exhibition featuring original contemporary paintings from Arts University Bournemouth MA students. Free entry.

Bournemouth 7s Festival, Chapel Gate, Christchurch, Friday 22 May to Sunday 24 May
Huge festival featuring sport, live music, DJs, camping, street food, foam parties, funfair rides and entertainment across the Bank Holiday weekend.

Food Fest Local 2026, Christchurch High Street, Saturday 23 May and Sunday 24 May
Free family-friendly food festival with street food, live music, entertainment, artisan stalls and activities in the heart of Christchurch.

The Gallery Upstairs presents Into the Light, Upton Country Park, daily 10am-4.30pm from Friday 22 May
Part of Dorset Art Weeks, this free exhibition from Poole & East Dorset Art Society explores the theme of light through a range of artwork.

Historic Explorer Family Trail, Upton Country Park, Saturday 23 May to Sunday 31 May, 10am-4pm
Free half-term trail exploring the history of Upton Country Park through interactive clues and discoveries.

S BOMB Vintage Workshop, Vintage Workshop, from 7pm
Australian folk-rock duo celebrating their debut album Something More on their first ever UK tour.

Poole Quay Bike Night, Poole Quay, from 5.30pm
Motorbike enthusiasts gather along Poole Quay for a family-friendly evening with great food, pubs and stunning harbour views.

Poole Plugged & Unplugged, Portsmouth Hoy, Poole Quay, 8pm
Open mic night with Rich & Rich featuring acoustic and plugged-in performances. Free drink for performers and chance to land a future gig.

Tequila Masterclass with Casamigos, Rockwater Roof Terrace, 7pm-9pm
Tequila tasting, cocktail demonstrations and taco menu hosted by a Casamigos brand ambassador. Book your place

Jazz Supper with Julie Lewis, Portsmouth Hoy, Poole Quay, 8pm
Live jazz piano and vocals accompanied by Joe Limburn on double bass, alongside a special supper menu. Booking advisable on 01202 673517.

Cat Alley Dogs Live, Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross, 8.30pm-10.30pm
Live music night with Cat Alley Dogs at the popular Ashley Cross venue.

The Acoustic Connection Showcase, The Cow, Ashley Cross, from 7pm
Monthly live music showcase featuring talented local musicians in a relaxed pub atmosphere. Free entry.

Good Habits, Lighthouse, 8pm
Genre-blending indie-folk trio known for energetic festival performances and uplifting live shows.

Vinyl Night, Portsmouth Hoy, Poole Quay, 8pm
Bring your favourite records or simply enjoy listening to full albums played on a vintage turntable. Dinner available beforehand.

The Cross, St Peter’s Church, Poole, doors 6pm
An immersive evening of ambient and melodic house music inside the atmospheric surroundings of St Peter’s Church.

Otis Jay Blues Band, Sandbanks Brewery, from 6.30pm
Blues favourites perform live at Sandbanks Brewery for an evening of classic live music.

Studio Jazz: Dele Sosimi, Lighthouse, 7.45pm
Legendary Afrobeat musician and former Fela Kuti band member brings his internationally acclaimed live show to Poole.

Total Madness, Portsmouth Hoy, Poole Quay, from 9pm
Madness tribute act performing ska classics and party favourites on Poole Quay.

Hugh Budden & The Blue Chords, Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross, 9pm-11pm
Live blues and rock performance at the Bermuda Triangle Pub.

Bryanston Summer Fair, Bryanston School, 10am-5pm
Family-friendly summer fair with over 100 stalls, street food, workshops, live music, falconry displays and entertainment across the weekend.

Purbeck Guitar Festival: Rock It Saturday, Upton Country Park, 11am-10pm
Day of folk, blues, jazz and rock guitar performances featuring Donovan, Galaxy Thief and more. Get tickets

Alex McAleer: Mind Reader, Lighthouse, 8pm
Mind-reading and mentalism show from one of the UK’s leading psychological entertainers.

HonkyTonk Collective and The Outlaw Orchestra, 9 Allens Lane, BH16 5DA, 8pm
Free live music featuring The Outlaw Orchestra returning to HonkyTonk Collective.

LIVE MUSIC: Skint, Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross, 9pm-11pm
Live band performance at Ashley Cross.

Merley Jumble Trail, across Merley, 10am-2pm
Neighbourhood-wide yard sale with bargains, vintage finds, toys, books, plants and more across the BH21 area.

Bryanston Summer Fair, Bryanston School, 10am-5pm
Second day of the popular family-friendly summer fair packed with entertainment and activities.

Purbeck Guitar Festival: Spanish Sunday, Upton Country Park, 11am-8pm
Spanish guitar, flamenco dancing and Latino rhythms in the Walled Garden. Get tickets

FOOD SPECIAL: The Jerk Chicken Shack, Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross, 12pm-6pm
Authentic Caribbean barbecue pop-up serving jerk favourites throughout the afternoon.

Upton House Open Day, Upton House, Upton Country Park, 12pm-4.30pm
Explore the historic house, browse gifts and souvenirs, or join a guided house tour for £2.50.

The Harry Skinner Band, Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross, 4pm-6pm
Live music session to round off the Bank Holiday weekend.

Monday Speed Quizzing, Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross, 7.30pm
Fast-paced quiz night with jackpot prizes and plenty of competitive fun. £3 per person.

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