Look around, you’ve arrived in Poole’s High Street.

The Bustling High Street

Shops and what you can buy have changed through the centuries, from candles to light your home in the 1700s, to bubble tea in 2025. You’re tracing the steps of shoppers and traders through the ages.

The buildings tell the story of the many lives lived here, from merchant houses to places of worship, from libraries to public houses.

Beech Hurst was built in 1798 by Samuel Rolles with the money Rolles had inherited from his uncle, Samuel White. White made his fortune as one of the seven family firms that are said to have controlled the Poole-Newfoundland trade.

Stopping the Traffic

One thing that hasn’t changed since the 1870s is the temporary closure of the High Street as trains arrive and depart from Poole Station.

You can use the Victorian cast iron footbridge to cross the track or wait for the barriers to rise.

A Centre for Learning

Poole’s former Free Library, which opened in November 1887, was located across the road from here. This generous gift of timber merchant John J. Norton gave many people free access to books for the first time.

Poole’s first museum and a gymnasium were built adjoining the Library in 1890.

Ivy House

Sisters Catherine, Elizabeth and Mary Penney lived in The Ivy House for all their lives, from 1820 when Catherine was born to 1913 when Elizabeth died. The sisters held classes for women and
girls for many years.

After their death a tablet in Skinner Street Congregational Church read:

“Three sisters who were members of the church and lifelong residents in this Borough whose piety, generosity, and devoted service made them beloved by all who knew them.”