Hamworthy Park Info

9

Essential Park Info

Find out how to get here and more essential information about Hamworthy Park.

9

News & Events

Find out about the events and activities going on at Hamworthy Park.

9

Park History

Learn about the heritage of Hamworthy Park and see it through the years.

About the ‘friends’

9

What we do

Find out about the ‘Friends’ and the work we do for our community.

9

Volunteering

Whether you’ve got a spare 5 minutes or 5 hours we’d love to hear from you.

9

How to join us

All park users are welcome to be members and it’s free to join. Sign up here.

Official stuff

9

Key Documents

Stay informed with our annual reports, meeting minutes, and other official files – all in one place.

9

Contact Us

Make a general enquiry and one of our team will get back to you.

History of Hamworthy Park

Take a look at the history of Hamworthy Park from its inception in 1931 to present day.

L

Hamworthy Park Opening 1931

Hamworthy Park was officially opened in 1931, when eighteen acres of marshy land, with tidal lagoons and ditches, were transformed into a community park.

It consisted of a cafe, paddling pool, boating lake, children’s play area and park keeper’s cottage. The northern boundary was formed by the railway line and the western boundary by the pathway that is today’s carpark.

L

Hamworthy Park before World War II

During World War II, a temporary road surface was laid from the railway level crossing to join up with the then extremity of Lulworth Avenue. This was needed to allow military vehicles access to HMS Turtle (formerly Lake Camp). More information regarding the history of flying boats can be found near the promenade.

Despite wartime restrictions, the park and the beach were very much enjoyed by the community.

L

After the war

Following the war, ‘Grays Field’ (west of the main pathway leading down to the promenade) was bought by the Council and subsequently converted into an extension of the park.

This addition compensated for the parkland that was lost when a new official road was constructed to join Lulworth Avenue to the railway level crossing. New houses were later constructed alongside the original park keeper’s house (north of the new road). 

L

Miniature Railway

In the 1970’s a miniature railway became a major attraction.

The train went around the boating lake and paddling pool. The train was built by Mr Wilcox and driven by Jeff Yeoman.

L

1980 - 1990

Up to 1980, it was possible to walk right to the end point of the Hamworthy Peninsula. It was almost like an extension to the park. However, when the Port Expansion took place, the park’s eastern boundary was clearly re-defined by Poole Yacht Club’s new facility.

During this period, the Boating Lake was removed. Although the boats had long gone, the facility was a favourite adventure play area for older children.

By the 1990’s, the Park had deteriorated.

L

Formation of Friends of Hamworthy Park

The resident-led Friends of Hamworthy Park group was formed in 1997 to combat the decline and in particular to safeguard the future of the paddling pool.

The Friends’ efforts were rewarded and the paddling pool was completely refurbished and converted into a freshwater pool.

The new pool was officially opened by the Mayor, Cllr Bill Wretham in August 1999

L

2000-2015

During the early 21st century, the Café was completely refurbished and once again became a popular destination.

The Friends of Hamworthy Park now work alongside the Borough of Poole and support the management and upkeep of this Borough Park and help to retain the park’s Green Flag Award which it has held since 2010.

Hamworthy Park today still offers a wonderful space to relax, exercise and play with unrivalled views of Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island, Arne and the distant Purbeck Hills.

L

Projects in the last 10 years

In 2015, Hamworthy Park welcomed a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the railway, connecting the Harbour Reach residential development with the park.

By July 2019, the Friends of Hamworthy Park celebrated the refurbishment of the paddling pool in partnership with BCP Council. Far from a simple update, it was an investment in local infrastructure that kept this beloved feature free and accessible to families, children, and visitors – a tradition spanning generations.

Ongoing projects continued, with repairs to the Sea Wall taking place in 2024. Today, the Friends remain committed to a sustainable future for the paddling pool and continue to lead other projects that protect and enhance Hamworthy Park for everyone. 

Get Involved

Become a Friend of Hamworthy Park

…A place where community comes together and grows stronger