Experience in the Spotlight! Poole Heritage Train & Boat Experience

Don’t you find it’s really difficult when you are forced to pick between two equally amazing options, being pressured to choose one OR the other? Don’t worry, at WonderDays we won’t put that pressure on you. With our Poole Heritage experience you can enjoy a Train Trip AND a cruise!  

Take a relaxing trip around the eastern-stretch of the Jurassic coastline, where there’s plenty of opportunity to view stunning scenery at every turn. Rest assured; this may be the Jurassic coastline but there’s very little chance of a tyrannosaurus Rex popping up anywhere to halt your travels.  

Train and Boat, you say? Sounds marvellous, I’m in! What does my experience include? 

Your journey begins at Poole Quay with a seafaring expenditure, paired with a live commentary to highlight specific landmarks and views en-route to the picture-perfect seaside town of Swanage. With an early morning cruise, you’ll leave plenty of time to explore the town. Make sure to stroll down the Victorian pier, the perfect place to encapsulate some perfect panoramic shots of the coast.   

If the sun's out, why not head to the beach? No need to frantically search all the best hangouts in Swanage, I’ll tell you now the Swanage Beach has been awarded the Blue Flag & Seaside award. So, if there’s any beach you need to head to its this one. Just don’t forget the sunscreen.  

Next stop on your journey is the Swanage Train Station to embark on the train part of the experience. All aboard passengers! 

You’ll zoom along the rail track on a Steam train or a Heritage Diesel train constructed in 1885 –train lovers you don’t want to miss out on this opportunity. It’s at this point you can make a temporary stop at Corfe and explore the remains of the Castle. Fun fact, Corfe castle was built just after the Norman Conquest in 1066, so there’s plenty to learn about here and besides, who doesn’t love a castle?  The trip also features a complimentary trip to a museum, it just gets better and better! Final optional stop-off is at Norden.  

You’ll then journey back to Swanage Railway Station where you’ll head back to Pool Quay. If you want to grace your fellow passengers aboard deck with a sea shanty at this point, feel free.  

Have we made you fall in love with Poole? Then why not make a mini break of it? We also offer mini 1 or 2-day getaways with a train and boat trip so you can make the most out of your time in Poole.   

Who, what, when & where? 

The activity runs from April 1st to October 31st. 

Boat 

Timeframe: please allow 2-2.5 hours for the Jurassic Boat trip with departure times of either 10.30AM or 1PM from Poole Quay. 

Train 

Timeframe:  please allow 1 hour for the Steam Train Journey travelling from Swanage to Norden and 1 hour for the return trip from Norden to Swanage. 

Train departure times from Swanage: 2:30PM and 4:45PM  

Our advice: Please note the afternoon boat trip at 1pm wouldn’t allow enough time to explore Swanage, Corfe Castle or Norden. If you are wanting to explore these idyllic locations, we recommend the morning departure allow yourself enough time for everything.   

 Who 

All ages are welcome, and tiny train & boat enthusiasts (4 and under) go free!  

Please ensure your team are all dressed suitably for the weather, I’ll remind you now to pack your umbrella!