The new Poole Town Council will be holding a Beating of the Land Bounds event on Saturday 16 May 2026 to celebrate Poole’s history and mark the new boundary of the town following the creation of Poole Town Council.

The Mayor of Poole, Councillor Mark Howell, will be cycling around the boundary of Poole, stopping for boundary ceremonies with representatives from neighbouring councils at Upton Country Park, Canford Suspension Bridge and Branksome Dene Chine before arriving for a parade on the Quay.

The Sheriff of Poole, Cllr. Karen Rampton, will lead the parade and hold a mock Piepowder Court on the Quay.

There will also be music and stalls promoting Poole’s community organisations on the Quay all afternoon.

Beating of the Bounds goes back at least to Tudor times in Poole. In past centuries when maps were not generally available, the event helped pass on knowledge of boundaries to new generations. In Poole, two children have historically accompanied the Mayor in the boundary marking and this will be the case at each of the three boundary markers this year.

Beating of the Bounds was also an opportunity to have some fun. The current Mayor has therefore arranged for short mini-events with a theme of health and wellbeing to take place at the boundary ceremony locations which members of the public are invited to join.

Sign up to take part online

The ride begins at 9.15am on the Quay and involves 3 hours of actual riding over 33 miles, but there are 3 stops for the Beating of the Bounds events.

The ride finishes at 3pm on the Quay.

If any parents have children who wish to ride to the Quay with the Mayor and participate in the procession, they can join the ride with their children at Whitecliff at 2.40pm where the dedicated cycle path begins, between the cricket pitch and the harbour, or at some point along it.

Parents must be on bikes too and take responsibility for their children’s safety.

Schedule

10am to 10.15am - Beating of the Bounds ceremony next to dog pen in Upton Country Park.

10:15am to 11:00am - take part in a free Tai Chi session with the Mayor in the Walled Garden at Upton Country Park

11:30am to 12:30pm - Beating of the Bounds ceremony and arts and music entertainment by students of Canford School next to the suspension bridge over the Stour (100 metres from the main school entrance)

1pm to 2pm - Beating of the Bounds ceremony and Royal Life Saving Society activities on Branksome Dene beach (100 metres east of the car park)

3:15pm - Civic Parade along Lower High Street and Quay

1pm to 5pm - Community stalls and music on Poole Quay