Here’s how to get the most out of Poole Maritime Festival

A fabulous line-up of free family entertainment has been planned to celebrate Poole Maritime Festival that the whole family can enjoy.

Mayor of Poole, Cllr Xena Dion has commented, “It is wonderful to have such a range of fantastic events and celebrations across the town centre. The Seven Seas Festival is so creative and fires the imagination as it celebrates maritime cultures from around the world. It’s exciting to have a BIG Wheel at Baiter providing phenomenal views over the harbour, out towards Old Harry Rocks and across the town. Taste of the South promises to bring something really different into Poole that certainly celebrates local produce. CARGO is a unique interactive arts event that brings to life our maritime history and heritage and Poole Harbour Boat Show has become the maritime festival that everyone enjoys.

“All of the event organisers have really delivered to provide the most outstanding, memorable events that we can all be proud to be part of it. We haven’t seen such a unique festival on this scale before so I would encourage residents and visitors to come down and join us.”

As the town gears up for these celebrations, you may find this information useful.

Public transport
If you are travelling into Poole then using the bus or train is an excellent way to get to the town. Poole Bus Station and Poole Railway Station are both located in the town centre and ideally situated for the events in Poole Park, Poole Quay and Baiter Park. With regular bus and train services, you could leave the car at home. morebus run a variety of frequent services connecting Bournemouth, Christchurch, Wimborne, Swanage and other locations in Dorset to the heart of Poole.

For getting around the various events there is a dedicated Festival Bus provided by morebus. Starting from 9.50am, the bus runs half-hourly in a continuous loop on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 May, and takes you between Poole Railway Station, Poole Park, Baiter Park and Poole Quay, so you can hop on and off as often as you like. From 6.30pm, the bus will also serve Ballast Quay to provide connections to the ferry port. For more information on times, routes and fares visit www.morebus.co.uk.

As part of the Poole Harbour Boat Show event, a free passenger boat service will be operating from Poole Quay to the new exhibition area on Ballast Quay. This will operate throughout the Boat Show from 10am to 6pm. Full details are available at www.pooleharbourboatshow.co.uk.

Road closures
Poole Quay from High Street to Ballard Road will be closed to road traffic from 6pm on Thursday 18 May until 9pm on Sunday 21 May.

The road through Poole Park will be closed to road traffic from Park Lake Road to the roundabout by The Ark from 6am on Friday 19 May until 9pm on Sunday 21 May. The road will be open as normal on Monday morning, 22 May.

Car parking
All town centre car parks will be available to use as normal. Variable message signs located around the town will advise drivers how many spaces are available. More information about car parks and parking charges can be viewed at www.poole.gov.uk/parking.

Festival volunteers
Festival volunteers will be found at information points throughout the town. They can provide maps showing where the events are taking place, give information on what is happening at the various locations and generally help people make the most of their visit. Look out for the festival flags and the festival-branded volunteers.

Public toilets
Nearly 200 toilet facilities are being provided by event organisers at Poole Harbour Boat Show, Seven Seas Festival including the BIG Wheel and Taste of the South.

In addition community toilets, which are located in shops, cafes and restaurants, can be recognised by the yellow ‘Use our loo!’ sticker located in the front window of the premises. Community toilets are free to use, and there is no obligation to purchase anything.