Scaplen's Court & Garden
About This Museum
Tucked away on Sarum Street in the heart of Old Poole, Scaplen's Court feels like stepping through a portal. You leave the modern bustle behind and find yourself in a perfectly preserved medieval merchant's house, complete with a charming walled garden that's an absolute sun-trap. I loved just wandering through the creaky, low-beamed rooms, imagining the lives of the families who lived here centuries ago. It’s not a stuffy museum; it’s a living, breathing piece of history you can actually touch and explore.
Collection Highlights
The kitchen is a highlight, set up as if the cook has just stepped out, complete with replica herbs and cooking utensils you can handle. Upstairs, the bedchambers feature beautiful Tudor-style furniture that makes the past feel incredibly immediate.
Visitor Information
Entry is free, which is an amazing bonus, though they do welcome donations. It's right near Poole Quay, so it's easy to combine with a walk along the water. Just double-check their opening hours online before you go, as they can be seasonal.
Architecture & Building
This is a gorgeous example of a late medieval timber-framed house, with its distinctive jettied upper floors leaning out over the street and those wonderful wonky walls and beams.
Contact & Location
Address: Sarum Street, Old Town, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, England, BH15 1JW, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1202 128888
