Find the Best Poole Bed and Breakfast

The affluent coastal town of Poole sits along the south coast of England. It's known for its sunny beaches and old port, which protects colourful fishing boats, residents' yachts and cruise boats that take eager families across to Brownsea Island. The streets of the seaside resort are lined with a jumble of brick-built Victorian terraces and shiny glass apartment developments. Then you've got Poole's neighbour, Sandbanks, a sandy peninsula that hosts some of the world's most expensive houses. You'll need deep pockets if you're going to score one of the waterfront homes along the beach. However, there's more to Poole than just sun loungers and water sports – there are also intriguing museums, seaside-inspired art galleries and some fine waterfront eateries.

Seaside-inspired decor and airy modern apartments make up some of the B&Bs, Poole

Like many British seaside resorts, the bed and breakfasts in Poole have always been the first choice for some holidaymakers looking for places to stay. You can take your pick of location, too, with B&Bs dotted around the town, from the beachfront to the port, and the leafy suburbs to the centre. Some are housed in the century-old brick terraces that offer just a handful of spacious guestrooms in the owner's private home, while others are ultra-modern apartments, whose guestroom windows look straight out across the ocean. If you're looking for a little luxury, you'll find period properties laden with original features and rural hideaways just a short walk from secluded little coves. You'll always receive a warm welcome from the owners, who work tirelessly year-round and are rewarded by seeing their guests returning, year after year. You'll find their local knowledge on the best places to eat or things to do invaluable. You'll always find the perfect B&B match for you on Expedia, where you filter by location, type and price, and book in just a few clicks.

Poole bed and breakfasts offer so much more than just a place to lay your head. The comfortable guestrooms have all the facilities you might find in a hotel, like tea and coffee, ensuite bathrooms and flat screen TVs on the walls. There's always plenty of storage to pack away your things and many have facilities to securely keep your bicycles and water sports equipment. When you're looking through the listings on Expedia keep an eye out for other features, like free parking or pet-friendly accommodation. When you wake up in the morning, if you can tear yourself away from the views over the sea or the pretty harbour, there'll be a home-cooked breakfast waiting for you downstairs – many B&Bs have won awards for using organic, local produce. It's not just heavy English fry-ups these days, though. Lighter breakfasts, of yogurts, granola and fruit, served with pastries and coffee, are starting to become the norm. After your seaside getaway, why not visit the creative hub of Bristol next?

There's more to do than just sunbathe on the parasol-laden stretch of golden beach near your B&B, Poole

During the summer, most holidaymakers staying in Poole bed and breakfasts make a beeline for the beach to bask in the sunshine, splash around in the sea or catch up on some reading. There's more to do than just lounge around on the sand, though. You can get active by learning a new water sport, go cycling along the country lanes outside the town or lace up your boots to hike along the pretty coastal footpaths.

If the famously fickle British weather takes a turn for the worse, you can dive for cover into Poole Museum, which tells the history of the town, or the Grade I listed house, Scaplen's Court. Alternatively, catch up on some shopping in Dorset's largest indoor mall or amble around the weekend market, looking for bargains.

• Tiptoe down to the beach from your waterfront guestroom
• Stay in historic properties laden with period features
• Get to know Poole like a local, with tips from the owners
• Enjoy a proper English breakfast with freshly brewed tea each morning