Poole Harbour Lake, nestled in the heart of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, boasts a serene shoreline characterised by mud and sand shores. Its excellent water quality, consistently rated by the Environment Agency, makes it an ideal spot for a refreshing summer dip. With average summer water temperatures around 18°C, visitors can enjoy a pleasant swim in this picturesque estuary.
Hand-picked holiday cottages & coastal retreats near Poole Harbour Lake (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) & surrounds
Rural Retreats
From £820
Byre House is ideally situated in the pretty Dorset village of Sutton Waldron, on the edge of the glorious Cranborne Chase, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This stylish p...
Dorset Hideaways
From £474
Nestled in the heart of the Blackdown Hills National Landscape, Phillishayes Cottage is a charming thatched holiday home brimming with original character, countryside charm, and...
Dorset Hideaways
From £819
Perfect for up to six guests and recently refurbished. The unique Artist's Studio at West Lodge invites you to stay in the quaint village of Piddlehinton in the picturesque Pidd...
Dorset Hideaways
From £965
Located in the mid-Dorset village of Fifehead St Quintin and surrounded by glorious countryside, Lower Fifehead Farm is a beautiful Grade II listed property with generous and fl...
Dorset Hideaways
From £432
Bakers Cottage is a charming and cosy stone cottage, located in the historic town of Shaftesbury; known for its picturesque views, mediaeval architecture, vibrant high street, a...
Dorset Hideaways
From £250
Set in 20 acres of stunning Dorset countryside, Thatchers Cottage is one of ten delightful converted barns which form Rudge Farm Cottages, and where you will find comfortable ac...
Dorset Hideaways
From £508
Bramble offers generous luxury en-suite accommodation for up to four guests, with stylish features including a copper bath and shower tray, a modern wood burning stove and a din...
Dorset Hideaways
From £943
A stylish, contemporary property with generous accommodation, a large garden and ample parking, ideal for families. Kittiwake is well-situated within walking distance of the bea...
The shoreline consists primarily of mud, sand. Sediment type dictates underfoot comfort, wave energy absorption, and the water's clarity when currents stir up the seabed.
Water quality is classified as excellent, meeting the highest cleanliness standards. Bacterial counts (E. coli & Intestinal Enterococci) are consistently low, posing negligible health risks.
Bacterial levels are highly susceptible to storm runoff. Heavy rainfall in the local catchment is likely to trigger storm overflows and agricultural runoff, rendering the water temporarily unsafe.
Tested weekly by the Environment Agency England for bacteria levels (E. coli & Intestinal Enterococci) between May and September.
Monitored as a transitional or estuarine bathing water. Estuarine sites experience a mix of tidal ocean flushing and river discharge, causing fluctuating salinity and water quality.
Wessex Water Services Limited is the regional utility responsible for waste water treatment, sewage infrastructure, and storm overflow management in this catchment area.
Officially designated as a protected bathing water site in 1988. This designation mandates regular public health monitoring.
Governed under local district sanitation and environmental safety regulations in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area.
Lodges & Holiday Parks
UK Holiday Cottages