Poole Dorset

Poole itself is less a single attraction and more the beating heart of Dorset's waterfront - a proper working town rather than a postcard cliché. The Old Town is where things get interesting: narrow medieval streets, independent shops, and the Poole Museum tucked away on the quay, which covers everything from Tudor times to the present day. It's free to get in, though donations are welcome, and it's worth a couple of hours if you care about local history.

The real draw is the harbour. It's one of the largest natural harbours in the world, and from the waterfront you can watch boats coming and going while grabbing lunch at one of the cafés. There's a working pottery on Quay Street if you want to see craftspeople actually making stuff - far more interesting than watching it behind glass elsewhere. Summer weekends get heaving with tourists, so go on a weekday morning if you can.

For families, the town itself doesn't scream child-friendly - no theme parks or obvious kid attractions - but the water keeps them occupied, and the shops on High Street are decent enough for an hour's browsing. It's a grown-up's sort of place, really. Walkers should head out along the harbour's edge towards the Parkstone Peninsular for proper coastal views.

If you're based at Haven Rockley Park just two miles away, or any of the caravan parks dotted around South Lytchett Manor and beyond, Poole town centre is an easy drive for an afternoon or evening out. Don't expect magic - it's a genuine working harbour town, which is precisely why it's worth visiting.