Poole - Hammworthy Park

Hammworthy Park is a small grassy park offering access to a small sand/shingle/pebble beach backed by an old concrete promenade and a row of beach huts. The beach gives access to Poole Harbour.

Submitted by:
SeanBo
Updated:
25th May 2004

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Poole - Hammworthy Park
by: SeanBo

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Situated in the fairly close to Poole Quay (Latitude 50:42:41N, Longitude 2:00:26W), this venue offers good access to the harbour waters which are ideal for beginner and intermediate flat-water blasting. Hammworthy offers a good alternative to the ever popular Evening Hill (see separate beach report). The venue is also good for land based kites, but the grass area is probably too small for boards or buggies who would probably be better served by going to Baiter Park (see separate report).

For intermediates/adventurous sailors there is the possibility to sail SSE across the harbour to Brownsea, Long and Furzey Islands without crossing any major channels. Alternatively you could head WSW towards Wareham, but be aware that this will take you towards the dedicated Water Ski area, the only place boats are legally allowed to ‘speed’ in the harbour. Either route is great for a summer cruise or long flat-water blast.

The harbour itself is very tidal and experiences a fairly rare double tide effect. This double tide combined with a lot of shallow water mean that tides should always be checked when planning a session; however Hammworthy Park suffers far less than other venues within the harbour. Most tide states are sailable, but it is best to avoid Low Spring tides. The only obstacle is a pipe running directly out from the beach, but this is only a real problem at very low tide, or very close to the shore.

The beach has some wooden groynes which can make launching in an on-shore (Southerly) fairly tricky, and raw beginners should avoid sailing in a Westerly as the wind could eventually blow you across the ferry docks…sail before steam only works in theory with those guys!

Parking is in a very small car park that fills up very quickly on a nice day. There is also some road parking, but it would result in a long walk when carrying kit. Rigging is possible on the promenade or beach, but is best on the grass next to the car park where you can get kit from your car more easily.

Local facilities are fair with toilets a café and a small shop nearby (during summer). For families there is also a small children’s playground and ‘lido’ style paddling pool.

Dog access to the beach is excellent, but this means that the grass can be busy with dogs and their leftovers!

Poole itself is a popular holiday destination and offers most seaside town amenities including Guesthouses, B&B’s, Caravan/Camping Sites (at the nearby Rockley Sands Holiday Park), Hotels, Cafes, Bistro’s, Restaurants, Shops, and Amusements etc. It can be very busy in the summer, but the crowds disappear just in time for the autumn gales and winter sailing is not as hardcore as it can be elsewhere in the UK. Poole can offer an ideal family holiday venue at most times of year, depending on your requirements.

Overall the venue is excellent for Windsurfing and Kite-surfing. It may be possible to try some kite-landboarding or buggying, but locals tend to use Baiter Park instead (see separate report)