Salterns Marina

The waterfront at Salterns is where Poole's sailing crowd actually hangs out, not in the polished postcards of the town centre. This working marina sprawls across the harbour with proper boat activity - you'll see everything from racing dinghies to chunky motor cruisers lined up along the pontoons. If you're staying at Ulwell Holiday Park or Parkdean's Sandford site, it's an easy drive over and worth an hour or two of your time.

There's a working boatyard feel to the place that appeals most to people who genuinely care about boats, or those after a waterside walk with actual character rather than manicured scenery. The restaurants and cafes facing the water aren't fancy - they're functional and busy. You can watch the boats come and go while eating fish and chips, which beats sitting in yet another tourist trap.

For families, it's a decent spot to burn some time. Kids will find the water activity oddly hypnotic - there's always something happening, kayaks launching, boats turning about. It's free to wander around, though you'll naturally end up spending money at the waterfront venues if you stay long. Allow a couple of hours if you're making a proper afternoon of it, less if you just want coffee and a stroll.

What you won't get here is the quaint harbour village experience - this is functional maritime life, which some find refreshing and others find a bit too workaday. But if you're based nearby for a park holiday, it beats driving into crowded Poole town.