Sitting between Bournemouth, the Isle of Purbeck and the Jurassic Coast is Dorset’s largest town, Poole.

Not only does it boast award-winning golden sandy beaches, a bustling quayside and an old town, Poole is home to one of the largest natural harbours in the world. And the area is particularly popular with those who have a keen interest in water sports, being a world-class location for yachting, kayaking, kite-surfing and paddle-boarding.

The famous Sandbanks peninsula lies at the entrance to Poole Harbour and is regarded as one of the most prestigious coastal areas in the UK, with some of the finest and most valuable homes in the country. Property on the peninsula looks out over some of the best coastal and harbour views, and there’s a small parade of shops, wine bars and restaurants including Rick Stein’s popular eatery – a favourite with locals and visitors alike. The surrounding area, including the nearby villages of Lilliput and Canford Cliffs, offers further shops, bars and a number of locally renowned independent restaurants in addition to the Hotel Du Vin near the quayside.

A popular spot for day trippers and holiday makers, the area also has enduring appeal year-round for those looking for an outdoor lifestyle, with an abundance of marinas, parks and nature reserves in the vicinity. Brownsea Island, owned by the National Trust, sits in the middle of Poole Harbour, with dramatic views to the Purbeck Hills, and though easily accessible by the foot ferry, feels remote. The island has a rich history and is a haven for wildlife, such as the rare red squirrel and a large variety of birds. Thriving natural habitats include woodland, heathland and a lagoon.

The town has an exciting future and is currently undergoing a number of significant investment and regeneration projects. An example is The Waterfront, a new development of 291 apartments at West Quay Harbour, featuring views across Upton Lake and Twin Sails Bridge. Arranged across five buildings, this award-winning development is set to introduce a vibrant new community to Poole, bringing high-quality communal facilities alongside its high-specification apartments. 

Poole, which has an average house price of £336,000, has a wide variety of housing stock, from apartments to seafront superhomes and everything in between. The range of buyers is similarly varied but we tend to see a large number of downsizers as well as those seeking a holiday home here, with a view to making a permanent move in the future. The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area, which has an average house price of £419,000, saw house price growth of 21 per cent between March 2020 and September 2022, benefiting from those seeking more space and an outdoor lifestyle by the coast in the wake of the pandemic.

Although price rises have cooled off more recently, with small falls of -1.0 per cent since the mini-budget in September 2022, the long-term fundamentals are strong and prices are anticipated to continue rising from the second half of 2024, with prime property in the area set to prove the most resilient.

Further information

Contact Helen Asteris or Sean Gibson

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