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Pumpkin Picking
Where: Pumpkin Picking patch Fordingbridge, Sopley Farm, Cat and Fiddle Farm, Lenctenbury Farm, and more.
About: We’re ready to celebrate the spookiest season of the year as Halloween approaches with plenty of Poole’s pick-your-own farms stocked up on pumpkins for one of Autumn’s favourite activities. Check out our guide to the best pumpkin picking patches in Poole here and enjoy an afternoon of Instagram-worthy fun picking your pumpkin and carving out some ghostly designs. Enjoy celebrating Autumn’s scariest holiday by taking the kids out for a day on the farm.
Best time to go: Throughout October.
Wareham
Visit Monkey World
About: Wrap up warm and take yourself and your group down to Monkey World for a daytrip! This 'As Seen On TV' famous animal santuary is perfect for a fun day out. Explore the indoor and outdoor monkey enclosures, watch in on keeper talks and visit their cafe!
Monkey World offer family bundle tickets, senior tickets and student tickets! View here.
Opening times: 10:00-17:00
Location: Tout Hill, Longthorns, Wareham BH20 6HH
Telephone Number: 01929 462537
Website: https://monkeyworld.org/
Poole
Explore Poole’s Autumnal Wildlife
Where: Poole Harbour, Upton Country Park
About: Summer may be over but don’t let that stop you from getting outdoors because there is still some fantastic wildlife to see around Poole throughout the Autumn months. Whilst some animals may be preparing to enter hibernation, you can still spot some rare seabirds down at Poole Harbour.
There is also a wealth of wildlife to catch a glimpse of throughout Autumn at the 116 acre Upton Country Park including deer, ducks, birds, foxes and more. Wrap up warm, grab your camera and enjoy Poole’s eye-catching Autumn wildlife.
Best time to go: Morning or late afternoon before it gets dark.
Halloween
Where: Various locations across Poole.
About: The arrival of Autumn means it’s time to celebrate Halloween once again as Poole prepares itself for spectacular spooky activities. This year we’ve got Halloween in Poole covered with our ghost-filled guide covering everything you need to know about the scariest holiday of them all.
Check out Poole’s Halloween favourites below including:
Pumpkin picking in Poole
Halloween events in Poole
Haunted places Poole
And so much more!
Best time to go: Throughout October
Head out on an Autumn walk
Where: Upton Country Park, Brownsea Island, Compton Acres, Purbeck Ridgeway, and much more!
About: Poole’s coastlines and hilly countryside make for a host of brilliant walks all year round, and we’ve rounded up our pick of the best Autumn walks in Poole. If you’re looking to get out into the great outdoors this Autumn then take on one of Poole’s brilliant walks and enjoy seeing some breathtaking views as forest floors explode with colour and coastlines become the scenes of some epic waves.
There are plenty of things to do in Poole throughout Autumn but heading out on a scenic walk has to be one of our favourite seasonal activities. Check out Poole's best Autumn walks here.
Best time to go: Any time of the day, avoid evening due to visibility.
Check out Poole’s Autumn events
Where: Poole and Dorset
About: There are tons of brilliant Autumn events taking place around Poole and the surrounding areas of Dorset meaning your end to the year is packed with things to do in and around Poole. From food festivals to park runs, Autumn markets to musical performances, there is a range of exciting Autumn events happening around Poole. Take a look at our events calendar here or click below to find out more about the biggest and best events taking place in Poole this Autumn.
Best time to go: Various
Go conker hunting
Where: Poole Park, Upton Country Park
About: A timeless Autumn activity, conker hunting season is back and Poole is a conker haven with plenty of brilliant parks and open spaces around Poole full of magnificent horse chestnut trees. Visit one of Poole’s parks with the kids this Autumn and watch them spend hours having fun picking conkers and doing battle with friends. If you’re looking for things to do with the kids in Poole this Autumn then conker hunting is a great activity to try!
Best time to go: Morning or early afternoon when there is plenty of light.
Catch the Golden Hour
Where: Constitution Hill Viewpoint, Sandbanks Beach, Poole Quay, Holes Bay, and more!
About: Is there anything more beautiful than watching the sunset? Poole is full of brilliant locations to watch the sunset and with nights getting earlier throughout Autumn, you don’t have to wait up late for the golden hour to arrive. Keep your phones at the ready for some stunning golden hour pictures as you visit Poole’s brilliant sunset locations and watch as the sky replicates the colours of Autumn that are exploding all around us.
Check out the best sunset locations in Poole here.
Best time to go: Changes throughout Autumn, most sunsets around 6.30pm to 7pm.
Enjoy a cosy pub meal
Where: The Rope and Anchor, Bankes Arms, The King Charles Pub, The Scott Arms, and many more! Click below to find out more about cosy pubs in Poole.
About: As the cold weather approaches there is nothing more comforting than a hearty pub meal by an open fire. Poole’s culinary scene features some of the best cosy pubs around, with plenty of options to choose from this Autumn as you look to get out of the elements and warm up with family and friends. Click here to check out our favourite cosy pubs around Poole!
Best time to go: Evening
Dine on the coastline at Lazy Jacks
Where: 30, 32 Panorama Rd, Sandbanks, Poole BH13 7RD
About: Brunch in style with friends this Autumn by heading to Poole’s Lazy Jacks for an enjoyable and relaxed dining experience. Enjoy some adult time with a fabulous coastline meal at this spectacular Sandbanks restaurant & bar, and sample some of the best Autumn food that Poole has to offer. Whether you’re on a date, business meal, family outing, or simply hanging out with friends, Lazy Jacks is the perfect fit!
Best time to go: Anytime. Open from 8am - 11pm, 7 days a week.
Marvel at Bonfire Night fireworks
Where: Various events happening around Poole.
About: Remember remember the 5th of November because bonfire night is once again returning to Poole this Autumn as firework events take place across the town and Poole’s surrounding areas. Secure your space at one of Poole’s brilliant bonfire night events and enjoy a fun-filled evening out with the kids watching Poole’s skyline be illuminated with exciting colours and dazzling patterns on one of the biggest days of Autumn.
Check out our guide to Bonfire Night in Poole here or by clicking below.
Best time to go: Bonfire night events will take place in the evening.
Go surfing
Where: Boscombe, Kimmeridge Bay, Bournemouth Pier
About: Get your wetsuit out and dive on in because Autumn brings with it some of the best surfs that Poole has to offer. As winds increase and kids go back to school, Autumn is one of the best times of the year to grab your kit and head out for an awesome surf. Check out Poole’s best beaches, rock up with your board, and get out into the brilliant swells that Poole’s Autumn weather has to offer.
Best time to go: Depends on swells, check local surf reports before you go.
Wimborne
The Tivoli Theatre
Where: Tivoli Theatre
About: The Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne is an Art Deco theatre that shows a mixture on stage and on screen showings! In their on stage events they host a variety of live music, drama, ballet and comedy shows! This Autumn and Festive period there will be numerous on stage performances for you to visit, including Pantos and Musicals!
Address: 19 West Borough, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1LT
Telephone: 01202 885566
Best time to go: View their schedule here.