Poole the area around the coastal town of Poole has been inhabited since early man first crossed the land bridge from Europe. This was before the flood waters of the last  Great Ice Age melted to form the English Channel. This cut Britain off from the mainland and transformed Britain in-to an island race. This human migration began in the period of our history known as the Stone Age. The first humans were a nomadic race of hunter-gatherers, who lived in the woods and forests along the Stour Valley, As they became established in the area they moved down the rivers and began to explore, the coast traveling around in boats carved from huge logs, these early settlers survived by hunting mammoths, bears and saber toothed tigers which were abundant in Britain at the time. This way of life was to end for in AD43 the Roman Second Legion invaded. There well trained and disciplined legion stormed the primitive hill forts of Maiden Castle, Hod Hill, Badbury, and many other encampments and within a short period controlled the area. A domination that was to continue for well over 400 years. However in 410 the Roman occupation of Britain came to an abrupt end for the barbarian's were at the very gates of Rome and the legions were withdrawn from Britain to defend the city. For the very existence of Rome its-self was threatened.

The Roman withdrawal left a power vacuum that was quickly filled by the Romano-British aristocracy, who were to be in power for 40 years until becoming increasingly worried about raids by the Pics, and Scots ,and Danish raiders that they hired mercenaries, and the were the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes fierce warlike tribes from the area's we know to-day as Germany, Denmark, and Holland to defend them. This however backfired for upon landing in Britain the Angle's, Saxon's, and Jute's decided they liked what they saw and promptly turned on their pay-masters and proceeded to conquer the whole country, thus began the period of our history Know as the Anglo-Saxon Period. The defeated Roman-Briton's fled across the channel to France and established the province of Brittany, hence the West Country particularly Cornwall's close association with the Britons. Anglo Saxon domination was to last till 1066 when the last great Saxon king Harold was defeated at the Battle of Hastings by William the Conqueror. Yes the Normans had arrived

Poole was a small fishing village at the time of the Norman Conquest,In 1405,a state of virtual war existed between England, France and Spain with allb three Countries at risk of coastal towns being raided.  The main instigator of English raids was a Poole man Harry Pain who led the English reprisals,part privateer, part pirate Harry led raids from the French coast right through to the Spanish coast. In fact his raiding was so proficent, that the Spanish, and French sent an combined fleet
 to attack Poole,and hopefullyn capture Harry. Poole which was un-fortified, however put up a strong defense, using thick wooden doors as shields they drove of the invading force after an firce, a bloody battle, However, the French and Spanish did manage to burn the church and town cellars were. The thing is even if this incursion had been successful, they would not have captured Harry Paye, for Harry was long gone. They did however discover Harry's brother, and he was promply slain.This act not un-naturaly evoked a typical Harry Payn response, for two year's later Harry captured 120!!! French shiops and brought them in triumph back to Poole as an reward to the gallant men of Poole who had fought of the invaders. Poole grew rapidly into an important port exporting wool 

In 1433 Poole was made Port of the Staple.( "Staple port," Staple ports were medieval concept for a port in which trade was regulated, usually by the King, often restricting the particular trade to a specific group or port ) It was in the Victorian era that the area that the pristine beaches and beautiful landscape of south-west Hampshire and south east Dorset, including the Isle of Purbeck district of Dorset, began to attract large numbers of visitor's and the villages, to the east of Poole began to grow and merge until the holiday town of Bournemouth emerged. Growth accelerated and Poole and Bournemouth (along with Christchurch to the east) have become a large built-up area. One area of Poole: It’s actually a tiny little sand dune on the Dorset coast called Sandbanks yet is has some of the highest property prices not only in the UK but in the World. Some of the beach-side properties  can go for £10million + Yes dearer than New York, or Tokio. I guess is an Estate Agents dream. to sell a property in Sandbanks, but not surprisingly they seldom come on the market . Although the three towns are well known to visitors as popular separate holiday destinations. For each town has retained its own unique individual character.

Modern day Poole grew up around the old quay and to-day the old quay is still the heart of the town. Here one will find  a fantastic view over the wide expanse of the harbour ,The Waterfront Museum celebrates the nautical influences and history of the region since Roman times, and includes of course tales of the smugglers for here like all the West Country coastal towns, and villages that nefarious activity was  a daily way of life. On the quay there  numerous fine Restaurants and stylish  pubs. You can take a trip to cruise around the harbour and view all the local landmarks, or take a ferry to to the National Trust's Brownsea Island, where you will find scenic peaceful walks and a wide variety of wildlife.  At Sandbanks you will find three miles of golden sands to Canford Cliffs, also at Sandbanks, there is a chain ferry to take you to them Isle's of Purbeck where the seaside town of Swanage, and historic Corfe Castle are located. Visitors can obtain a leaflet from Poole Tourist Center on Poole Quay the leaflet's have information on the 78 brass plaques that if you follow will guide you through more than 750 years of Poole's history.You can all-so experience Poole's colourful past by walking the Cockle Trail around the Quay and Old Town.

Until as late as 1974 Poole appointed a sheriff ? From Saxon times there has been a office called The Shrievalty, which is the oldest secular Office in the kingdom after the Crown. What on earth is a Shrievalty, it was a officer appointed by the crown to govern the county of Dorset, except Poole for in 1568 Elizabeth 1st granted to the Town of Poole the status of a County and the right to appoint its own Sheriff. To-day the title is still in use though only in a honorary role alas the Sheriff of Poole no longer  has any legal duties. Yes all in all Poole with it's history places of interest and location is a very interesting place to visit.!

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