44-460: The River Sherford , also frequently called the Sherford River , is one of the four main rivers flowing into Poole Harbour in the county of Dorset , England . It is about 12 kilometres long and drains over the tertiary beds near the harbour. It rises at a spring in the hamlet of Whitefield, west of Lytchett Matravers , flows southwards into Morden Park lake and then eastwards, passing under
88-523: A "major incident". The entrance to Poole Harbour is from the east, via Poole Bay and the English Channel . Entering the harbour, heading west, on either side are the shores of Studland beach (south west) and Sandbanks (in particular, the Haven Hotel and the peninsula, north east). Directly ahead are several islands, the largest of which is Brownsea Island . Four rivers drain into Poole harbour,
132-568: A Roman transport hub. At the time of the Norman Conquest , Poole was a small fishing village. The port grew, and in 1433 Poole was made Dorset's Port of the Staple for the export of wool. Medieval Poole had trading links from the Baltics to Italy. In the 17th century, the town began trading with North America, in particular Newfoundland , and the town became very wealthy. In the 18th century, Poole
176-529: A deep-water port at Roscoff . Gourvennec had no desire to run a ferry service, but existing operators showed little appetite for the opportunity. The company itself began sailings on 2 January 1973 between Roscoff in Brittany and Plymouth in the South West of England, using the freight ferry Kerisnel , a former Israeli tank carrier. The company's primary aim at that time was to exploit opportunities presented by
220-404: A refund under EU regulation 1177/2010. On 23 July 2020, Brittany Ferries announced the launch of a brand new Rosslare–Cherbourg service. On 19 August 2020, as a consequence of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, the company confirmed that it was reducing ferry services from the end of August and laying up various ships, beginning with Armorique and Bretagne . Further schedule changes were likely in
264-470: A week with Cotentin covering freight on the Poole–Cherbourg service in the absence of Barfleur . Condor Vitesse continued to operate one round sailing a day in the summer months between the two ports. Cap Finistère ran between Portsmouth and Santander twice a week and also operated three round trips a week between Portsmouth and Cherbourg. In September 2010, Brittany Ferries announced plans to serve
308-544: Is a large natural harbour in Dorset , southern England, with the town of Poole on its shores. The harbour is a drowned valley ( ria ) formed at the end of the last ice age and is the estuary of several rivers, the largest being the Frome . The harbour has a long history of human settlement stretching to pre-Roman times. The harbour is extremely shallow (average depth 48 cm [19 in]), with one main dredged channel through
352-429: Is also fortunate in that wind conditions are variable; wind conditions can be calm for sports such as wakeboarding, and a short while later strong for sports such as windsurfing. Most of these sports benefit from the harbour's generally flat water conditions. As a result, local watersport businesses operate around the harbour. Poole Tourism has developed and signed a number of trails and circular walks, collectively called
396-559: Is fed by the Sherford River. Holes Bay is a tidal inland lake which lies to the north of Poole Harbour. It is a designated harbour quiet area. The entrance to the bay is a small inlet from the main harbour. Spanning the inlet are two bridges: Poole Bridge and the new Twin Sails Bridge ; the latter officially opened in 2012 and cost around £37,000,000. Access to Holes Bay for vessels with an air draft greater than 2.1 metres (6.9 ft)
440-591: Is now the Solent and Christchurch Bay, leaving Poole Harbour as the estuary of the Frome. Once a major port, freight transport has declined, but the port is still served by regular cross-Channel passenger ferries, with Brittany Ferries offering a passenger and freight service to Cherbourg. Condor Ferries operate to the Channel Islands and St Malo. Coastal trading vessels are also frequent visitors, unloading various cargos on
484-484: Is only possible when the bridges are lifted, which occurs several fixed times daily and sometimes on request. The new bridge is intended to help reduce traffic jams by ensuring at least one bridge is open to vehicular traffic at any one time. The bay contains Pergins Island , and the South Western railway line runs west to east on a causeway across the bay. To the north of the bay is Upton Country Park . Holes Bay
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#1732851249678528-590: Is the entrance to Poole Quay and the Holes Bay (see below). Directly west of the main part of Poole is Hamworthy . Continuing anti-clockwise, heading west around the Harbour are the settlements of Upton and Wareham , as well as the outlet of the River Piddle . This area of water within the Harbour is known as Wareham Channel and includes other places such as Rockley Sands . Continuing anti-clockwise, now heading south are
572-525: Is the location of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) training school, attached to their Poole headquarters. Uses of the bay include fishing, kayaking and small leisure craft. A large marina known as Cobbs Quay is on the west side of the bay. On its east side the bay runs parallel to the A350 . Parkstone Bay is named after the suburb of Parkstone . Harbourside Park wraps around
616-711: Is the trading name of the French shipping company, BAI Bretagne Angleterre Irlande S.A. founded in 1973 by Alexis Gourvennec , that operates a fleet of ferries and cruiseferries between France and the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Spain, and between Spain and Ireland and the United Kingdom. BAI (Bretagne Angleterre Irlande) S.A. was founded by Alexis Gourvennec . Working with fellow Breton farmers, Gourvennec lobbied for improvements to Brittany's infrastructure, including better roads, telephone network, education and port access. By 1972 he had successfully secured funding and work to develop
660-653: The A351 before discharging into Lytchett Bay as the Rock Lea River on the northern side of Poole Harbour . The Sherford's water body status in 2013 was graded "poor" by the Environment Agency . This Dorset location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article related to a river in England is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Poole Harbour Poole Harbour
704-522: The National Trust and RSPB , notably Arne . The mouth of the harbour is partially blocked by Sandbanks , a spit on the north, which is built up and part of Poole, and by Studland to the south, which is another important wildlife area. The harbour is very shallow in places and has extensive mud flat and salt marsh habitats, as well as muddy and sandy shores and seagrass meadows . Being an extremely popular recreation and tourism area means that
748-627: The Poole Harbour Trails , as well as the Poole Heritage Cycle Route for cyclists. A freight-only branch runs from Hamworthy railway station to Poole Docks. However, the line is fenced off at the Poole Docks level crossing with a run-round loop provided at Hamworthy Park. In 2017, it was served by a weekly stone train. As of 2024, this has stopped and the line abandoned. Photographs: Brittany Ferries Brittany Ferries
792-582: The Purbeck Heritage Coast are important wildlife havens, as are the five large islands in the harbour, which are home to the endangered red squirrel . The harbour is an area of international importance for wildlife conservation and is on the Ramsar list. It borders three national nature reserves , including the internationally important Studland and Godlingston Heath NNR , and a number of local and non-statutory nature reserves run by organisations such as
836-552: The 10 metres (33 ft) Poole Logboat is one of the largest vessels of its type from British waters. Its low freeboard would have limited its use to within Poole Harbour. Poole was used by the Romans as an invasion port for the conquest of southern England, who established the settlement at Hamworthy , now the western half of Poole. A Roman Road ran north from Hamworthy through a fort at Lake Farm, Ashington , to Badbury Rings ,
880-525: The Poole–Cherbourg route which was being operated by Condor Ferries . In 2018, Brittany Ferries commenced service between Cork , Ireland, and Santander. This was cancelled and effectively replaced in February 2020 by the Rosslare –Bilbao service which runs twice weekly. A seasonal service between Rosslare and Roscoff is also offered. From late March 2020, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic , Brittany Ferries
924-461: The Portsmouth– Bilbao route recently abandoned by P&O Ferries. The route started on 27 March 2011. On 21 September 2012, Brittany Ferries cancelled sailings indefinitely following two days of wildcat strikes caused by crew members who were unhappy with changes in working terms and conditions. Meetings took place between management and unions to negotiate the management proposals. A vote
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#1732851249678968-615: The UK's entry into the European Common Market , forerunner to the European Union , in order to export directly to markets in the United Kingdom. In 1974, Kerisnel was replaced by Penn-Ar-Bed , which carried both passengers and vehicles, and the BAI company adopted the name Brittany Ferries. In late 2009, the new Poole – Santander freight-only service was deemed a success and the frequency
1012-664: The bay. Poole Harbour is the location of a number of islands, of various sizes. These islands include: The harbour lies on a band of weak gravel and clay which is easily eroded by the rivers and sea. This band is bordered by two bands of chalk , the Purbeck Hills and Isle of Wight to the south, and the Dorset Downs and South Downs to the north. The clay extends west up the Frome valley to Dorchester , and would originally have extended east beyond Portsmouth in Hampshire. Before
1056-410: The commercial activity discussed above, Poole is a major centre for sailing and motor boating. There is an enormous number of moorings in the harbour, and many places to anchor. Much of the north side of the harbour is a built-up area, including the town of Poole , and the conurbation which continues 10 miles (16 km) eastwards along the coast. The west and south sides of the harbour and part of
1100-451: The depth had been increased from 6 to 7.5 metres (20 to 25 ft). Approximately 1.8 million cubic metres of sand and silt were dredged from the approach channels to the Harbour and port, and 1.1 million m was made available to the local beaches of Poole, Bournemouth and Purbeck for beach replenishment . Poole Harbour Commissioners define the main shipping channels, in which leisure craft should take care, as : As well as
1144-460: The east, with Newton Bay and Brands Bay (this area has several oil wells) to the south. This area of water is known as the South Deep. Continuing anti-clockwise comes back to the entrance to the Harbour and to Poole Bay , with Studland beach immediately south-east. Lytchett Bay lies to the north of the Harbour and flows into it through a narrow channel near the edge of the suburb of Hamworthy. This
1188-414: The first in southern England in modern times. The successful hatching is the first in 200 years. In August 2022, it was reported that one of the two chicks had been killed in a hawk attack. In May 2023, the only breeding pair of ospreys have hatched their first two chicks of the year. Due to the ever-increasing popularity of pleasure boating in the United Kingdom, the harbour has seen a rapid increase in
1232-409: The harbour, from the mouth to Holes Bay. Poole Harbour has an area of approximately 36 km (14 sq mi). It is one of several which lay claim to the title of "second largest natural harbour in the world" (after Port Jackson , Sydney). In 1964 during harbour dredging, the waterlogged remains of a 2,000-year-old Iron Age logboat were found off Brownsea Island . Dated at about 295 BC,
1276-449: The harbour, it has regained some importance. During WW2 , Poole Harbour hosted seaplane bases. Dorset Yacht Co Ltd v Home Office was decided in 1970. The longest ship to enter the harbour is DFDS/LD Lines 186.5 metre Norman Voyager on 15 October 2013, with the second longest being the 167-metre Armorique of Brittany Ferries , which arrived in the port for the first time on 2 February 2010. The previous holder of that title
1320-468: The harbour. Their duties include maintaining the shipping channels for the ferries and cargo vessels, enforcing harbour speed limits, improving port facilities and assisting with nature conservation. In November 2005 the main shipping channels into the harbour and the Port of Poole were dredged to accommodate modern ferries at all states of the tide. The project was carried out by Van Oord , and on completion
1364-510: The largest being the River Frome , which flows from the west through Dorchester and Wareham . The others are the River Piddle , the Corfe River and the Sherford River . Following the harbour anti-clockwise, heading north-east passes the built up residential settlements of Poole including Lilliput and Parkstone (east). About 4 miles (6.4 km) north-west of the entrance of the harbour
River Sherford - Misplaced Pages Continue
1408-661: The last ice age the River Frome continued to flow east through what is now the Solent , joining the Stour , Beaulieu , Test , Itchen and Hamble , before flowing into the English Channel to the east of the present day Isle of Wight. A relatively resistant chalk ridge ran continuously from the Purbeck Hills to the Isle of Wight, which the rivers could not break through. When the glaciers of
1452-400: The local authorities and organisations have to carefully manage the tourism to prevent damage to the habitats. The south shore of the harbour, including Wytch Heath and Godlingstone Heath, is open heathland of little agricultural use. During the 20th century there was some afforestation with conifer plantations. Around Wareham Forest in the west this has been for commercial forestry, but on
1496-452: The majority of the islands within the Harbour as well as several small channels and inlets. To the west is Arne Bay and the Wych channel. The majority of land in this area is heathland , and there are few settlements, as opposed to the eastern part of the Harbour. Directly south is Long Island , Round Island and Ower Bay. Green Island , Furzey Island and Brownsea Island (in that order) are to
1540-533: The months ahead, the company confirmed in March 2021. It also confirmed the launch of a five-year recover plan following the loss of more than half of its revenue, the consequence of restrictions on passenger traffic in all markets in which it operates. On 20 July 2021, Brittany Ferries announced at a press conference in Paris that it had secured a charter with Stena RoRo for 2 more E-Flexers. The new vessels are due to replace
1584-453: The north of the island of Great Britain melted, the south of England sank slightly, flooding the Solent valley and Southampton Water to form their characteristic rias (flooded estuaries). About 7,000 years ago, increased erosion from the sea and the increased flow caused by the change in climate broke through the chalk hills, cutting the Isle of Wight off from the Isle of Purbeck and flooding what
1628-506: The private ownership of pleasure vessels over the past decade, most of which are housed in private marinas around the harbour. Due to this increase, Poole has seen a rise in the number of maritime-oriented businesses. With the popularity of watersports such as water skiing , wakeboarding , windsurfing and kitesurfing , Poole Harbour Commissioners have designated areas within the harbour almost exclusively for sport participation – virtually unrestricted from most regular harbour rules. Poole
1672-509: The quaysides at Hamworthy, and fleet of fishing vessels operates from the south end of Poole Quay . There is considerable leisure usage of the harbour, by a combination of yachts and other private craft, cruise boats that ply the harbour, and ferries that provide a passenger link to Brownsea Island. The harbour is managed by the Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC), who represent all aspects of commercial and leisure activity in
1716-482: The southern shore the plantations conceal the Wytch Farm oil wells. Three bird species occur in internationally important numbers: common shelduck , pied avocet and black-tailed godwit . Other notable visitors include spoonbill , Sandwich tern and Eurasian whimbrel . Once rare, little egrets are now seen regularly and in increasing numbers. On 23 April 2022, ospreys nesting in Poole Harbour produced an egg,
1760-599: Was doubled: there would now be two services a week operated by Cotentin . In November 2009, Armorique was laid up for the rest of the winter season. Major changes were announced in December 2009. Barfleur was withdrawn from service at the end of January 2010 after nearly 18 years service on the Poole– Cherbourg route. The service was temporarily served by Armorique , which came back to service earlier than originally planned. The Poole–Santander service reverted to one sailing
1804-427: Was forced to cancel all passenger sailings until 15 May 2020 after British government advice was issued against all travel. Initially they had been offering refund vouchers valid for 2 years for affected customers. Many customers were unsatisfied with vouchers and had requested a refund. Brittany Ferries had begun to issue refunds in the last week of April for customers that wished for a refund. Customers were entitled to
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1848-467: Was taken on 30 September by union members to decide if the management proposals would be accepted. The crew members accepted the proposal and services resumed on 2 October after 12 days without services. During this period, Brittany Ferries made special arrangements with P&O Ferries and MyFerryLink to accept tickets on the Dover–Calais route. Unused tickets were refunded. Services were not affected on
1892-419: Was the 151-metre Bretagne , which arrived in the port for the first time on 27 February 2007. On 26 March 2023, an oil spill occurred in the harbour, originating from the oil field at Wytch Farm , run by Perenco . The Poole Harbour Commissioners reported that around 200 barrels of "reservoir fluid" had leaked into Poole Harbour from one of the oil field's pipelines. The Environment Agency described it as
1936-403: Was the principal British port trading with North America. At the start of the 19th century, 90% of Poole's population's employment was directly dependent on the harbour, but this dropped to 20% during the century as the railways reached the town, and deep-hulled boats moved up the coast to Southampton , which had a deeper harbour and is closer to London. With regular dredging of a channel through
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