Robert Baden-Powell

The Robert Baden-Powell site in Poole is a bit of a pilgrimage for anyone with a soft spot for Scouting history. This is where the founder of the Scout Movement spent his later years, and the connection runs deep through the place - you get a real sense of the man who shaped a global youth organisation from a single camp on Brownsea Island back in 1907.

What you're actually visiting depends on which specific Baden-Powell location you're after around Poole - there are a few significant spots tied to his legacy in the area. The town itself is close enough to Brownsea Island that you could combine a visit here with a boat trip out to where it all started, which honestly gives you the fuller picture. History buffs will find plenty to chew on, especially if you're interested in the early Scout movement and its rapid spread across the country.

This works well as a break during a park holiday - you're within striking distance of Haven Rockley Park and South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, both just a couple of miles away. Neither requires a massive commitment, so it suits families who want to mix activity-based camping with a quieter cultural stop. Older kids interested in outdoor skills and Scouting will get more from it than very young ones, to be honest.

Poole itself is worth an afternoon wandering around, and the waterfront area has enough going on to make a day of it. Check ahead on opening hours and admission before you head out - local tourist information in Poole will have the current details.