Poole Harbour Trails and Birds

Hopefully a great opportunity to see the abundant birdlife found around Poole harbour, benefiting from added guidance provided by our group's avid birder, Hilary.

A fairly level walk throughout on good paths. We leave Poole station and head towards Upton via Holes Bay. Weather permitting, we will have excellent views of the harbour as we head towards Upton Country Park. The path may be a bit muddier as we enter the park. We head past Upton House towards Upton village, with a short walk along a main road and then veer off towards RSPB Rock Lea/Lytchett Fields where we will get further expansive views. We will head past Lytchett Bay with continued lovely views of this little-seen stretch, towards Turlin Moor where we will have lunch )and can admire the magnificent architecture of the local Lidl. We then hug the coastline before turning inland towards Ham Common, passing the militarily significant Royal Marines camp in Hamworthy. Ham Common is another nature reserve with further opportunities to see wildlife and birds. We continue east into Hamworthy Park with its famous multi-coloured beach huts, then cross the swing bridge just before Poole Quay and finish at the quay where we can celebrate with a well-earned drink and possibly cake!

Note: our group walks quite briskly; while this route isn’t demanding of terrain or distance, if you have any concerns about fitness/capability please contact the walk leader in advance.

Meet point and time: Poole Station Main Entrance at 10am

What 3 words: charmingly.ahead.pint

Grid reference: SZ012910/BH15 2BQ

Booking information:

Please buy (free) tickets via Ticket Tailor using the following link:

https://buytickets.at/walksfordorset4050ramblers/1376013

Numbers are limited and are dependent on the discretion of the walk leader. Anyone turning up without booking and/or where beyond the deemed maximum for the walk may not be permitted to start.

If you cannot attend please cancel your ticket through the site so others can take a place.

If any issues please contact the walk leader. 

Leader: Amit

Phone: 07378323782

Parking/Travel information

If coming by car, please share wherever possible for eco-friendly reasons. 

If coming by train, you can catch the westbound train from Bournemouth/Branksome/Parkstone arriving into Poole at 0950. If coming eastbound, train from Wareham/Hamworthy arrives at 0930.

Parking: Poole station car park/Dolphin centre car park (charges apply). Free Sunday off street parking approximately 10-15 mins walk from station along Garland/Tatnam road.

Please consider:

• Bringing packed lunch and water
• Toilets at Poole station, Upton Country Park
• Mud is possible in some areas, but should be drier this time of year – please bring walking boots
• Dogs – assistance dogs only
• Binoculars (at your own risk)

Difficulty: Leisurely

Distance: 12 miles

Type: circular