This is the head of the western breakwater, at the entrance, that exhibits a light 2FR (vert).
This is south of the No. 2 Port Bar Buoy, marking the start of the harbour entrance fairway.
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Below are the ten nearest havens to Lake Yard Marina for your convenience.
What's the story here?
Small Boat exiting from Lark Yard MarinaImage: Michael Harpur
Lake Yard Marina sits on the Hamworthy shoreline, 1¼ miles west of the Port of Poole, just above the high-rise buildings of the private Moriconium Quay, with its own separate marina fronting it. It is a private commercial marina and yard, with 'The Waterfront Lake Yard Club & Restaurant' dining venue open to berth holders, visiting mariners, and club members. It features outdoor decking and a covered terrace, serving food and drinks directly above the marina dock.
Lake Yard Marina has 44 permanent resident pontoon berths and 100 swing moorings that can accommodate vessels of up to 15 metres in length with prior arrangement, and supports draughts of up to 1.9 metres. Approaches through Poole Bay and Harbour provide drafts of not less than 6 metres CD up to Port of Poole, and the final run up to the moorings and marina has not less than 2.4 metres.
Lake Yard Marina Image: Lake Yard Marina
The marina offers visitor swinging moorings with a launch service to and from the yard. Berthing arrangements should be made in advance by contacting the office (Mon–Fri) on
+44 (0)1202 674531 or the clubhouse (Weekends/After 5 PM):
+44 (0)1202 676953,
office@lakeyard.com.
Visitor Berthing [2026]Daily Visitor Rates (flat rates)
- • Up to 8m: £20
- • Up to 10m: £25 per metre
- • Up to 12m: £30
- • Up to 15m: £35
Short Stay Pontoon Berthing (Up to 4 hours)
- • Up to 10m: £13.10
- • Over 10m: £12
Daily and weekly visitor rates are available. Crown Estates Levy and Poole Harbour Commission Harbour Dues must be settled separately if you do not already hold an annual PHC permit. All prices include VAT, the facility charge, and the weekend launch service.
Lake Yard Marina as seen from its headImage: Lake Yard Marina
A launch service is available to transfer skippers and crews to and from the swinging moorings on Fridays from 4 until dusk, and on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from 9 to 7 pm. The Launch is contactable by
Ch. 37 [Lake Yard Bosun] or, if the radio isn't answered immediately, call the Bosun directly on mobile at
+44 (0)7791 836524. Lake Yard Marina has no dedicated visitor berths, but it may be able to accommodate visiting yachts in resident holders' berths when they are away, so it is worth enquiring.
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How to get in?
The approaches to the entrance, with its tidal flow, are detailed in
Navigating Poole Harbour 
. Continue past the Port of Pool Ferry Terminals and Poole Yacht Club Marina, following the marked channel 1¼ miles westward. Lake Yard monitors
Ch. 37 [Lake Yard Bosun], but like many small private marina yards, they mainly maintain a continuous listening watch during peak weekend hours. In all cases, make contact upon entering the Wareham Channel near buoy WH3/WH4.
The distinctive white buildings of Moriconium Quay with its own private marina
facilityImage: Peter Trimming via CC BY-SA 2.0
Lake Yard is located just by the WH3 and WH4 Channel Marks. They lie between the distinctive white buildings of Moriconium Quay and the Marine facility on the north shore, which stands opposite the head of the Arne Peninsula, which encroaches into the harbour from the south as you approach the marina. Lake Yard Marina is the second marina, immediately behind the one attached to Moriconium Quay.
Lake Yard Marina, the second marina with its south-facing entranceImage: Michael Harpur
Berth as directed by the marina office. Lake Yard Marina's moorings are laid out in deep water between the Arne Peninsula to the south and Hamworthy on the north shore. They are arranged in four blocks, A - D, with individual mooring numbers indicated on their yellow hand-pull buoys, which are attached by rope to the mooring buoys.
Lake Yard Marina mooringsImage: Lake Yard Marina
'A' block is the nearest to the shoreline and closest to the slipway at Lake Road. It is situated on the Hamworthy side of the Wareham Channel, close to the WH 3 starboard buoy. These are the most sheltered and most convenient moorings, making landing from a dinghy by oar possible.
'B' block comprises the main body of their deepwater moorings. These are located on the Arne side of the Channel and are ideal for deep-keel boats.
'C' block is midway between 'A' and 'B' blocks. These moorings are intended for deep-keel boats of 12 metres LOA and larger.
'D' block is the furthest from the marina and the shoreline.
Those securing an alongside berth will find the entrance and outer pontoons exposed to very strong tidal currents, so you must take great care to manage cross-currents. This is especially the case on Springs, when the ebb tide whistles out past the entrance and under the outer pontoons, making berthing extremely challenging. Newcomers taking a marina berth should plan their arrival to take advantage of one of Poole Harbour's long stands, or wait on moorings until slack water arrives. The entrance to Lake Yard opens southward and is marked by 2FR (vert) and 2FG (vert).
eOceanic’s App Objects:
eOceanic Objects specify the characteristics and precise locations of key seamarks and contact items in the water that are central to navigation within an area. While underway, the eOceanic App actively monitors these markers relative to your vessel's position, providing enhanced positioning and proactive hazard alerts at customisable ranges to meet your sailing needs.
You can navigate this area with confidence and ease, as eOceanic Objects in the App mark the hazards and seamarks noted above. Refer to the
tutorial 
Why visit here?
Hamworthy was first recorded in 1236 as
Hamme, meaning 'enclosure,' a name thought to refer to its peninsular location. In 1463, it was recorded under its present name, Hamworthy, with '
worthig' added, also meaning 'enclosure.' This may have referred to an ancient fortification, giving the name the meaning 'peninsula of the enclosure.' This interpretation fits, as Hamworthy's history reaches much further back than Poole's.
Flint tool discoveries indicate that Hamworthy was inhabited during the Mesolithic and Late Neolithic periods. A range of Late Iron Age finds suggests it had a significant settlement with a salting. Evidence also shows that the settlement took part in trade along Britain's southern coast and across the Channel. The Romans took control in AD 43, using Hamworthy as a supply port for Vespasian's 2nd Legion. They called the area '
Moriconium' and built a fort to protect their holding from attacks by the local Durotriges tribes. They also built a temple immediately west of the fort and a road connecting it to the Iron Age hill fort of Badbury Rings in east Dorset. After the Roman army left in AD 65, Hamworthy became a civilian port, trading mainly in salt, oysters and local Black Burnished pottery, thanks largely to its connection to the Roman road system.
Little is known about activity in Hamworthy during the Saxon period. At this time, the royal palace and the important port town of Wareham, on the River Frome, became the harbour's main centres of activity. Domesday records no settlement at Hamworthy, but extensive shell middens on either side of the Little Channel, dating from the 10th to 12th ceturies, indicate that the area was used to gather and process oysters. Wareham remained the main port after the Norman invasion and stayed that way until the 13th century. Then, as silting in the harbour's western reaches gradually restricted access, the Lord of the Manor of Canford decided to create his own prosperous seaport. Wareham's port declined, and Poole began to rise.
Hamworthy remained a relatively undeveloped port facility from the 16th to the 18th centuries. However, a few shipyards sprang up along the Channel shore and ships used the area as a ballast quay. A ferry service carried passengers and goods across the Little Channel, which separated Poole from Hamworthy, to and from the busy Poole Town Quay. The ferry was pulled across by a rope stretched over the Channel. The harbour's first wooden toll bridge was built in 1834. Its steep gradient made it difficult for horses, so it was replaced in 1885 by an iron swing bridge with gentler approaches. The current bascule bridge was built in 1927.
Clay discoveries in the 19th century stimulated the growth of the pottery and tile industries at Hamworthy, Poole, Parkway and Brownsea Island. Many pottery-related quays subsequently developed along the harbour's southern shore. The arrival of the railway in 1847 spurred the development of shipyards along the Hamworthy side of the Little Channel and within the peninsula. Continued expansion in Hamworthy led to extensive land reclamation between 1925 and 1933, creating space for additional port and quay capacity. These quays extended southwards from the tip of the peninsula, beginning with New Quay. From the mid-20th century, larger-draught vessels contributed to the decline of Poole's Town Quay. In the 1970s, land beside New Quay was reclaimed for a new Ro/Ro berth and an eight-acre terminal. Commercial traffic then gradually shifted from the Town Quay to Hamworthy.
Lake Yard grew out of the family-owned and operated Dorset Yacht Co Ltd, which established its boatyard at Lake in 1938. Dorset Yacht Co. built yachts and commercial boats until 1972, when it became the sole distributor for US boat builder Boston Whaler—a role it retains today. In 1995, Squadron Marine Ltd was formed to build a dock with pontoon berths and provide new yard facilities, including launching and recovery services. Dorset Lake Shipyard began operating alongside it as a commercial ship and boat repairer.
Set on the shoreline at Hamworthy, overlooking the Arne Peninsula—a nature reserve and area of outstanding natural beauty—Lake Yard offers a relaxed berth in a natural setting within what can be a very busy harbour. The marina makes a good '
arm's-length' base for exploring the historic town of Poole, described in the
Poole Town Quay entry, with its lively cafés, bars and restaurants. It is also an ideal base for exploring Poole Harbour's hidden recesses by dinghy.
What facilities are available?
All pontoons have power and water, and the club has toilets and showers. Lake Yard has a 50-tonne travelling hoist, a HIAB and a mobile crane. They offer pressure washing, ashore blocking off, and storage in a working boatyard with electricity and water, plus full boatyard facilities and friendly service. An on-site engineer caters for Mercury and Yamaha outboards. With Poole Harbour hosting an annual fleet of 5,000 leisure craft and a world-class boat builder, the area in general can cater for almost any conceivable marine service or facility a vessel could require.
Lake Yard Marina's 50-tonne travelling hoistImage: Lake Yard Marina
Poole's town centre, stretching from the water's edge at Poole Town Quay up to the Dolphin Shopping Centre, is 30 minutes by bus or 10 minutes by taxi. You can also catch a train from Hamworthy, which takes about 20 minutes, with the station about a 15-minute walk away. The Quay and Old Town offer a range of small, independent shops, including a well-stocked chandlery, a host of pubs, take-away outlets, a mini-supermarket, and good restaurants. Dorset's largest indoor shopping centre, ‘The Dolphin Shopping Centre’, with 110 stores covering all items, is a 15-minute walk along the high street.
Poole railway station is located in the town and is served by London Waterloo to Weymouth express and semi-fast services. From east to west, these call at Branksome near the border with Bournemouth, Parkstone, Poole railway station in the town centre and Hamworthy. Most local bus services are run by 'More Bus ', which is based at the town's bus station. It operates networks across Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Salisbury, in addition to operations on the Isle of Purbeck and to the New Forest. Poole is also a calling point for National Express Coaches, which have frequent departures to London Victoria Coach Station. Direct services to the Midlands, the North of England, and Heathrow and Gatwick airports are also available from the town.
Bournemouth International Airport on the periphery of Bournemouth is only 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from Poole Town Quay. Brittany Ferries provides ferry services from Poole Harbour to Cherbourg, operating one round trip per day.
Dining Options Lake Yard MarinaThe Lake Yard Club & Restaurant: Located within Lake Yard Marina it features a waterfront conservatory and a spacious outdoor wooden deck overlooking the marina berths. From here, guests can enjoy panoramic, uninterrupted views across the water toward Brownsea Island and the Purbeck Hills. The club is private and reserved for marina guests. Its menu includes fresh, locally sourced seafood specials, seasonal à la carte mains, lunches, light sandwiches, desserts, and weekend breakfast options.
+44 (0)1202 676953 |
food@lakeyard.comPoole Yacht Club Restaurant & Bar: On-site clubhouse restaurant offering harbour views, seasonal dishes, and daily specials for members and visiting yachtsmen
+44 (0)1202 672687 |
info@pooleyc.org.ukAddress: The Yacht Haven, New Harbour Road West, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4AQ.
The Yachtsman: Traditional Hall & Woodhouse pub within walking distance in Hamworthy, offering classic pub fare, Sunday roasts, and a beer garden
+44 (0)1202 674568 |
yachtsman.poole@hall-woodhouse.co.uk.
Address: Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4LW.
Cobbs Bar & Kitchen: Family-friendly waterside eatery and bar located nearby at Cobbs Quay Marina, serving breakfasts, lunches, and evening meals
+44 (0)1202 673690 |
info@cobbsbar.co.ukAddress: Cobbs Quay Marina, Woodlands Avenue, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4EL.
The Poole Arms: Historic green-tiled pub located across Poole Bridge on Poole Quay, specialising in fresh local seafood and cask ales
+44 (0)1202 673450Address: 19 The Quay, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HJ.
Oriel on the Quay: Mediterranean-inspired restaurant overlooking the harbour on Poole Quay, serving seafood, steaks, pizzas, and breakfasts
+44 (0)1202 679833Address: Seaway House, The Quay, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HJ.
Poole Harbour Useful & Emergency ContactsLake Yard:
+44 (0)1202 674531 Office Telephone (Mon–Fri) | Clubhouse (Weekends/After 5 PM):
+44 (0)1202 676953 | Bosun / Launch
+44 (0)7791 836524 |
office@lakeyard.comAddress: Lake Yard 45 Lake Drive, Poole, Dorset BH15 4DT.
Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC / Harbour Master): For general harbour inquiries, harbour dues, and Vessel Traffic Services.
+44 (0)1202 440 200 |
pooleharbourcommissioners@phc.co.uk |
Poole Harbour Commissioners |
Ch. 14 [Poole Harbour Control / VTS]
Address: 20 New Quay Road, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4AF.
Harbour Control Officer: For any emergency within the harbour.
+44 (0)1202 440 230 |
harbourcontrol@phc.co.uk |
Ch. 14 (or 16) [Poole Harbour Control]
With thanks to:
eOceanic research.
About Lake Yard Marina
Hamworthy was first recorded in 1236 as
Hamme, meaning 'enclosure,' a name thought to refer to its peninsular location. In 1463, it was recorded under its present name, Hamworthy, with '
worthig' added, also meaning 'enclosure.' This may have referred to an ancient fortification, giving the name the meaning 'peninsula of the enclosure.' This interpretation fits, as Hamworthy's history reaches much further back than Poole's.
Flint tool discoveries indicate that Hamworthy was inhabited during the Mesolithic and Late Neolithic periods. A range of Late Iron Age finds suggests it had a significant settlement with a salting. Evidence also shows that the settlement took part in trade along Britain's southern coast and across the Channel. The Romans took control in AD 43, using Hamworthy as a supply port for Vespasian's 2nd Legion. They called the area '
Moriconium' and built a fort to protect their holding from attacks by the local Durotriges tribes. They also built a temple immediately west of the fort and a road connecting it to the Iron Age hill fort of Badbury Rings in east Dorset. After the Roman army left in AD 65, Hamworthy became a civilian port, trading mainly in salt, oysters and local Black Burnished pottery, thanks largely to its connection to the Roman road system.
Little is known about activity in Hamworthy during the Saxon period. At this time, the royal palace and the important port town of Wareham, on the River Frome, became the harbour's main centres of activity. Domesday records no settlement at Hamworthy, but extensive shell middens on either side of the Little Channel, dating from the 10th to 12th ceturies, indicate that the area was used to gather and process oysters. Wareham remained the main port after the Norman invasion and stayed that way until the 13th century. Then, as silting in the harbour's western reaches gradually restricted access, the Lord of the Manor of Canford decided to create his own prosperous seaport. Wareham's port declined, and Poole began to rise.
Hamworthy remained a relatively undeveloped port facility from the 16th to the 18th centuries. However, a few shipyards sprang up along the Channel shore and ships used the area as a ballast quay. A ferry service carried passengers and goods across the Little Channel, which separated Poole from Hamworthy, to and from the busy Poole Town Quay. The ferry was pulled across by a rope stretched over the Channel. The harbour's first wooden toll bridge was built in 1834. Its steep gradient made it difficult for horses, so it was replaced in 1885 by an iron swing bridge with gentler approaches. The current bascule bridge was built in 1927.
Clay discoveries in the 19th century stimulated the growth of the pottery and tile industries at Hamworthy, Poole, Parkway and Brownsea Island. Many pottery-related quays subsequently developed along the harbour's southern shore. The arrival of the railway in 1847 spurred the development of shipyards along the Hamworthy side of the Little Channel and within the peninsula. Continued expansion in Hamworthy led to extensive land reclamation between 1925 and 1933, creating space for additional port and quay capacity. These quays extended southwards from the tip of the peninsula, beginning with New Quay. From the mid-20th century, larger-draught vessels contributed to the decline of Poole's Town Quay. In the 1970s, land beside New Quay was reclaimed for a new Ro/Ro berth and an eight-acre terminal. Commercial traffic then gradually shifted from the Town Quay to Hamworthy.
Lake Yard grew out of the family-owned and operated Dorset Yacht Co Ltd, which established its boatyard at Lake in 1938. Dorset Yacht Co. built yachts and commercial boats until 1972, when it became the sole distributor for US boat builder Boston Whaler—a role it retains today. In 1995, Squadron Marine Ltd was formed to build a dock with pontoon berths and provide new yard facilities, including launching and recovery services. Dorset Lake Shipyard began operating alongside it as a commercial ship and boat repairer.
Set on the shoreline at Hamworthy, overlooking the Arne Peninsula—a nature reserve and area of outstanding natural beauty—Lake Yard offers a relaxed berth in a natural setting within what can be a very busy harbour. The marina makes a good '
arm's-length' base for exploring the historic town of Poole, described in the
Poole Town Quay entry, with its lively cafés, bars and restaurants. It is also an ideal base for exploring Poole Harbour's hidden recesses by dinghy.
Other options in this area
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Alternatively here are the ten nearest havens available in picture view:
Marina Website
50° 39.075' N, 001° 55.220' W 
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