National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £250,000 to £5million
Supported by our £3.3m grant, the project has reimagined the museum as a vibrant, inclusive space of regional and national significance. Visitors can enjoy three new galleries celebrating Poole’s maritime heritage – Harbour Life, Setting Sail and Shipwreck.
The regeneration project began in 2018 and conserved, remodelled and restored all three of the museum’s historic buildings – Oakley’s Mill, Scaplen’s Court and the medieval Town Cellars. The redevelopment ensures that all visitors can explore independently and equally.
Alongside the new galleries, visitors can enjoy:
- the Poole Iron Age Logboat, the largest ever found in Southern Britain
- the museum’s maritime archaeological collection
- an additional two flexible gallery spaces, launching with Sound of the Sea, a spectacular immersive digital exhibition and Un/Common People celebrating the history and mythology of folk culture
- a vibrant programme of events, workshops and activities
Councillor Andy Martin, Portfolio Holder for Customer, Communications and Culture at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, said: “Poole Museum’s reopening is more than just the return of a museum; it’s a bold statement about our town’s future, with a new cultural destination leading the way. The new Poole Museum is a vibrant, inclusive space that will inspire residents and visitors alike for generations to come.”
Plan your visit to Poole Museum or discover more transformational projects across the London & South.
