How Much Do You Know About Poole?

The following quizzes are for those who like them easy and then for those who like them more challenging.

Answers at the bottom of each quiz.

The Easy Quiz

1. Which county is Poole located in?
2. Approximately how many square miles does Poole Harbour cover?
3. What is the name of the ancient pottery industry once based in Poole Harbour?
4. What colour are the famous sand beaches at Sandbanks?
5. What neighbouring town is Poole closely linked with?
6. What is the name of Poole’s main shopping centre?
7. Name one of the ‘small’ islands in Poole Harbour?
8. Which mode of transport connects Poole to the Isle of Purbeck across the harbour?
9. What popular beach area in Poole is known for luxury houses?
10. Which sea is Poole Harbour connected to?
11. Which ferry route operates internationally from Poole?
12. Which island in Poole Harbour is owned by the National Trust?
13. What animal is Brownsea Island particularly famous for protecting?
14. What famous author founded the Scout movement on Brownsea Island?
15. Is Poole Harbour one of the largest natural harbours in the world?
16. What is the nickname of Poole Town Football Club?
17. What type of boats are commonly seen in Poole Harbour?
18. Which bridge crosses Poole Harbour linking Poole and Hamworthy?
19. What is the historic name for Poole’s fishermen?
20. What colour is Poole’s flag background (blue or green)?

Answers

1. Dorset
2. 36 km²
3. Poole Pottery
4. Golden
5. Bournemouth
6. Dolphin Shopping Centre
7. Stone, Long or Pergins
8. Ferry
9. Sandbanks
10. English Channel
11. Poole – Cherbourg
12. Brownsea Island
13. Red squirrels
14. Robert Baden-Powell
15. Yes
16. The Dolphins
17. Yachts / sailing boats
18. Twin Sails Bridge
19. The Quaymen
20. Blue

The Hard Quiz

1. What Saxon name is believed to be the origin of the modern name “Poole”?
2. In which year was Poole first recorded in historical documents?
3. Which Norman lord granted Poole its first formal charter in 1248?
4. What medieval export made Poole one of the most important ports in southern England during the 14th century?
5. What comedy actor who directed the 1970 film The Railway Children died in Poole in 2010?
6. Which side did Poole support during the English Civil War?
7. In 1643, Poole successfully resisted a siege led by which Royalist commander?
8. What was the name of the Poole-born captain who commanded the ship James during early Newfoundland trade?
9. What triangular trade route was Poole heavily involved in during the 18th century?
10. What commodity from Newfoundland became central to Poole’s overseas trade economy?
11. What was the original purpose of the Poole Guildhall when it was built in 1761?
12. Which famous pirate is known to have operated out of Poole Harbour in the 16th century?
13. What natural process caused Poole Harbour to form approximately 7,000 years ago?
14. What was the significance of Brownsea Island during the Napoleonic Wars?
15. Which architect designed the original Poole Quay Customs House?
16. What role did Poole play in the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940?
17. Which Poole shipyard built landing craft used during the D-Day landings?
18. What historic Poole industry declined rapidly after the Newfoundland fisheries collapsed in the 19th century?
19. Which famous spy novelist was born in Upper Parkstone in 1931?
20. What are Poole Pirates?

Answers

1. Pol or Pool (meaning a tidal creek or enclosed water)
2. 1086 (Domesday Book)
3. Sir William Longespée
4. Wool
5. Lionel Jeffries
6. Parliamentarian
7. Sir Ralph Hopton
8. Captain Peter Pole (or other accepted early Poole merchant captains)
9. Poole–Newfoundland–Southern Europe trade route
10. Salt cod
11. Civic administration and court proceedings
12. Sir John Hawkins
13. Rising sea levels after the last Ice Age
14. Defensive and military lookout point
15. John Kent of Wareham
16. Served as a departure and rescue port for evacuation vessels
17. J. Samuel White & Co. (Poole yard operations)
18. Cod fishing and export trade
19. John le Carré
20. Speedway team

How did you do?

36-40—Wizard

30-35—Good

Under 30—You should read more