Poole - Baiters Park

Baiters (or Baiter Park) is reclaimed land and is therefore very flat. The beach itself consists of some sand and large pebbles/stones. There is a public slipway and the beach is backed by a large flat area of grass ideal for land-based kite activities.

Submitted by:
SeanBo
Updated:
25th May 2004

Poole - Baiters Park
by: SeanBo

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Baiter Park (Latitude 50:42:45 North, Longitude 1:58:18 West) is best suited for land based kite sports on a large area of flat grass behind the beach. It is possible to use buggies and land-boards, but the area can get very busy during summer weekends and is used by the general public for dog walking, rounders etc, so take care!

Although not an ideal venue (when you consider the nearby alternatives) windsurfing and kite-surfing are also possible as the park offers good access to the sheltered waters of Poole Harbour. The harbour itself is very tidal and experiences a fairly rare double tide effect. This double tide combined with the shallow, gently shelving nature of the area mean that tides should always be checked when planning a session (the rocks can rip a fin out), but the effects of the tide are not as extreme as at Evening Hill/Whitley Bay. Rigging can be completed on Grass, tarmac/concrete or the (rocky) beach.

Because of the public slipway, the venue is popular with small boats (sail and motorised), and is a main launch area for private jet-skis. The area round the slipway can become very congested at high tide so it is best to stay at least 50M away and let them all get on with it (I used to launch a dingy here and language can be colourful as people jostle for position)

Parking is in a large car park close to the beach (there is a second car park further from the sand which is therefore best suited to land based kiters). Both Car parks can get very busy on good days. Charges vary throughout the year from free in the winter months to approx £6.50 per day (2004) in the peak season. Machines do not give change. There is also some roadside parking which is currently free (probably not for long though!)

Local facilities are good with toilets, burger van/ice cream van (summer only?) and a skate/BMX area nearby. It is also possible to walk along the promenade to Poole Quay which has pubs/hotels, cafes, amusements, museum, etc. In addition there is an underpass to Poole Park with all the normal swings, slides, model train and café and a promenade walk round the bay to a small children’s play area and some football pitches. Poole Swimming Pool is also very close by. Dog access to the beach is good, but there are some restrictions in peak season.

Poole itself is a popular holiday destination and offers most seaside town amenities including Guesthouses, B&B’s, Caravan/Camping Sites (within about 5 miles), Hotels, Cafes, Bistro’s, Restaurants, Shops, and Amusements etc. It can be very busy in the summer, but the crowds thin out in time for the autumn gales and winter activities are not as hardcore as they can be elsewhere in the UK. Poole can offer an ideal family holiday venue at most times of year, depending on your requirements.