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Jan 1, 1000
The Founding of Hamworthy
A settlement around Poole has existed since 2500 BC. In 43AD, the Romans invade England, where Emperor Vespasian founds Hamworthy. -
Jan 1, 1015
Cnut the Great and Brownsea Island
King Cnut the Great of Denmark seizes Brownsea Island and stores goods on it. -
Jan 1, 1248
Poole's Charter
Poole receives its first town charter from William de Longespee II. The original charter is displayed in the town museum. -
Jan 1, 1348
The Black Death
The Black Death sweeps through Poole, killing hundreds of people. -
Jan 1, 1371
The Second Charter
William de Montacute gives Poole a new charter and allows a mayor to be selected for the year. Each year, a new mayor was installed along with the deputy mayor and sheriff at the Civic Centre in Poole. In recent years, the council re-enact the markings of Poole’s sea boundaries, and travelling around Poole Harbour. -
Jul 1, 1405
Henry "Harry" Paye
A French and Spanish naval fleet attack Poole, burning and looting the town in revenge for the exploits of Poole privateer Henry “Harry” Paye. Paye died in 1419, and his life is celebrated every June in town called “Harry Paye Charity Fun Day”. -
Jan 1, 1433
Staple Port
Poole becomes a staple port, which allowed merchants to dock and sell their goods for a limited time. -
Jan 1, 1453
Poole's Fairs
Poole is allowed two annual fairs. -
Jan 1, 1545
Brownsea Island is Fortified
Brownsea Island gains a fort for a number of years. -
Jan 1, 1568
The Great Charter
Queen Elizabeth I gave Poole the Great Charter, giving it greater independence from Dorset. -
The Battle for Poole
The English Civil War comes to Poole. Royalists attempt to sneak into the town to seize but are lured into a trap by Parliamentary soldiers stationed in the town and are executed. -
Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle, a 12th Century structure, is surrendered by the Royalists to the Parlimentary troops after a long battle for it. By order of Parliament, the castle is demolished so Royalists cannot use it again. Its ruins remain to this day. -
Newfoundland
Poole merchant ships set sail to Newfoundland. -
The Hawkhurst Gang
A group of smugglers known as the Hawkhurst Gang break into the quay’s custom house to gain a large amount of tea which was impounded there. In the process, the gang killed an informer and a customs officer. -
The Guildhall
The Guildhall is built as the town hall. In later years, it is now home of the town’s registry office services. -
Sir Isaac Gulliver
Notorious smuggler Sir Isaac Gulliver gains a royal pardon from King George after offering two men to join the navy and foils an assassination plot against the king. -
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is founded by Lewis Tregonwell after he and his wife visit the area's beaches. -
Poole's First Library
Local MPs William Ponsonby and Benjamin Lester open Poole’s first subscription library. The building is later used for Poole Museum. -
Troubles in Poole
Poole receives gas lighting. A former town clerk causes all sorts of trouble when he demands claims for his loss of office, causing the gas lighting to be turned off for a time, and several historic items of the town to be given to him by the court. -
Beginnings and Ends
Poole’s first railway opens. However, the railway’s presence destroyed Poole’s coastal shipping trade. -
RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) arrives in Poole, moving to Poole Lifeboat Station in 1882. -
The End of Poole's Legacy
A second railway is opened with expands to Poole’s town centre. Poole’s coastal shipping comes to an end. -
Poole Pottery
Poole Pottery is founded, becoming an iconic business for Poole for years to come. The products were made in a factory until 1999 where business moved elsewhere, -
Poole Park
Poole Park opens to the public, created from a piece of land dedicated by Lord Wimbourne. It covers 110 acres and has a mand-made lake created when the railway ran along the bay. Until February 1994, the park had a zoo which featured a Himalayan Black Bear. -
Electrical Trams
Electrical trams run through Poole and Parkstone until 1935. -
The Founding of the Scouts
Lord Robert Baden-Powell forms the first scouting group on Brownsea Island. -
The Iron Bridge
Poole Council open the town’s iron suspension bridge to the public. The bridge was once a wooden bridge but was rebuilt into a suspension bridge. -
Poole Council's New Buildings
New municipal buildings including the Poole Civic Centre are opened. -
D-Day
Poole Harbour is used by Americans in preparation for D-Day. Eighty-one landing craft departed from Poole to take part in the Omaha Beach operations. -
Hamworthy Power Station
Hamworthy Power Station was built to power local areas, but was shut down and eventually demolished in 1995. -
Poole Log Boat
A 2000-year old log boat is found in Poole Harbour and kept in water for thirty years to keep it in a sustainable condition. It is now in Poole Museum. -
Poole Dolphin Centre
Originally called the Arndale Shopping Centre, the Poole Dolphin Centre opens and is Poole's prominent shopping complex and also home to the town's library. -
Poole Hospital
Poole General Hospital is opened by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. -
Poole and Cherbourg
Poole is twinned with the French town Cherbourg. -
Poole Arts Centre
The Poole Arts Centre opens. In the 2000s, it is renamed the Lighthouse. -
The Waterfront Museum
The Waterfront Museum opens. -
The Twin Sails Bridge
After over ten years of construction and planning, the Twin Sails Bridge opens across Poole Bay. However, it suffers from numerous problems.