Poole Town are based at the BlackGold Stadium and are one of Dorset’s traditional non-league clubs. The Dolphins have competed at Step 2 and Step 3, carrying a long Southern League history and a loyal support base around the town.
Tatnam Ground is Poole Town's long-standing home and has the feel of a compact, traditional non-league ground rather than a purpose-built modern stadium. It sits off School Lane in the Oakdale area of Poole, with the ground tucked into a local setting close to the school and surrounding streets.
The layout is practical and close to the pitch, with the main spectator facilities, clubhouse and covered areas forming the heart of the ground. It is not a large stadium, but it has the enclosed feel expected at this level and gives supporters a clear view from most areas. The ground's biggest limitation is not the matchday view, but the access and parking around it, which need planning because the surrounding roads are residential and the club specifically asks supporters not to use certain access points for parking.
A Dorset non-league rivalry where Poole and Wimborne meetings carry county pride and familiar travelling support.
Poole TownWimborne TownBlackGold Stadium, Poole | Southern League Premier South
Wimborne TownPoole TownWyatt Homes Stadium, Wimborne | Southern League Premier South
Segregation is not normally expected for routine Southern League fixtures at Tatnam, so away supporters should usually enter through the normal spectator access and choose where to stand or sit. For bigger local fixtures, cup ties or matches with a larger travelling support, arrangements can change and visiting supporters should check both clubs' match information before travelling.
When no segregation is in place, away supporters can normally use the same clubhouse, refreshment and toilet facilities as home supporters. A travelling group wanting atmosphere will usually gather behind a goal or along one of the busier sides, but there is no fixed away end that should be assumed for every fixture. If segregation is introduced, follow stewarding and club instructions on the day.
Use the A31/A35 towards Poole, then follow signs for the town and Tatnam. Bournemouth/Poole traffic can be slow, especially in summer.
Come north from Sandbanks or the Poole waterfront, then head towards Tatnam. Avoid seafront tourist routes if travelling close to kick-off.
Use the A35 westbound from Bournemouth/Christchurch, then follow Poole signs. The conurbation roads are slower than they look.
Use the A35/A31 eastbound from Dorchester/Wimborne, then enter Poole. Check parking because the ground is in a residential area.
Poole is the station to use for Poole Town. South Western Railway services from London Waterloo, Bournemouth, Southampton, Weymouth and Wareham make this the correct station.
This entry is for rail planning only; the detailed walking route from the station is listed separately under the same station title.
Leave Poole station and head towards Tatnam. The route is a walk north through Poole towards Tatnam.
Allow around 20 to 30 minutes on foot. Check the latest club or steward information for the correct entrance before travelling, especially for segregated fixtures or evening games.
Bournemouth Airport is only useful where the flight choice fits, but it can be a handy local airport for Poole, Wimborne and the Dorset coast. Public transport is more limited than the larger airports, so a taxi is often part of the journey.
For Poole Town, this airport makes most sense because Bournemouth is the closest airport. From the airport, aim for Poole. Use a taxi or airport bus connections towards Bournemouth/Poole, then continue to Tatnam. Public transport is more limited, so plan the final leg before booking.
Southampton Airport works well for Hampshire, Portsmouth, Gosport and some Dorset fixtures because Southampton Airport Parkway station is next to the terminal.
For Poole Town, this airport makes most sense because Southampton gives cleaner rail access despite being further away. From the airport, aim for Poole. Use Southampton Airport Parkway for South Western Railway services towards Bournemouth and Poole. This is often the better public-transport option than Bournemouth Airport.
Morebus M1 / M2 is one of the specific routes to check for Poole station and Tatnam. It is included because it serves the town, nearby station corridor or the side of the town used for the ground, making it more useful than a vague 'local bus' recommendation.
Check the operator's live timetable before travelling, especially for evening fixtures, bank holidays and Sunday games.
Morebus 8 / 9 is one of the specific routes to check for Poole station and Tatnam. It is included because it serves the town, nearby station corridor or the side of the town used for the ground, making it more useful than a vague 'local bus' recommendation.
Check the operator's live timetable before travelling, especially for evening fixtures, bank holidays and Sunday games.
United Taxis Poole is a named local taxi/private-hire option for Poole station and Tatnam. It is useful for station transfers, hotel pickups and the final leg where the nearest rail stop is not right beside the ground.
Pre-booking is sensible for midweek matches and for grounds in villages or residential areas where taxis may not be waiting outside at full-time.
PRC Streamline Taxis is a named local taxi/private-hire option for Poole station and Tatnam. It is useful for station transfers, hotel pickups and the final leg where the nearest rail stop is not right beside the ground.
Pre-booking is sensible for midweek matches and for grounds in villages or residential areas where taxis may not be waiting outside at full-time.
Parking around Tatnam is limited and should be treated as match-dependent. Follow club advice and be considerate because the ground is close to residential roads.
Expect free or low-cost parking where available. Arrive early and do not rely on spaces right outside the ground.
Poole station parking is a practical organised option with a walk or short taxi to Tatnam. It is useful if you want to use the town centre before the match.
Expect normal station parking charges. Check evening access and payment rules before heading to the ground.
The Brewhouse and Kitchen Poole is a named pub option for Poole, useful for supporters who want a proper place to aim for before the match rather than just wandering around the ground-side streets. It is a sensible choice for early arrivals who want a town or village pub before moving on to the ground.
Check opening times and any fixture-specific door policy before travelling, especially where the ground sits in a residential area or the fixture is expected to be busy.
The Lord Wimborne is a named pub option for Poole, useful for supporters who want a proper place to aim for before the match rather than just wandering around the ground-side streets. It gives a second named pub option if the first choice is too busy or if you are arriving from a different side of town.
Check opening times and any fixture-specific door policy before travelling, especially where the ground sits in a residential area or the fixture is expected to be busy.
Guildhall Tavern is a named food option around Poole, useful if you want something more reliable than grabbing whatever is nearest at kick-off time. It works best for supporters arriving with enough time for a proper meal rather than a rushed stop.
For restaurant-style stops, book ahead or arrive early; for smaller cafes and takeaways, check opening hours around evening fixtures.
Da Vinci's Poole is a named food option around Poole, useful if you want something more reliable than grabbing whatever is nearest at kick-off time. It gives another named alternative, useful for groups who want a different style of food before or after the match.
For restaurant-style stops, book ahead or arrive early; for smaller cafes and takeaways, check opening hours around evening fixtures.
Hotel du Vin Poole is a practical overnight base for an away trip to Poole. It is included because it is a realistic base for the town or nearby transport corridor rather than a random hotel miles away.
Compare rates before booking because small towns can have limited rooms, while tourist places and larger cities can jump in price around events.
The main advice for Tatnam is to plan parking before you travel. Poole Town advise that parking is free in the School Lane car park, with overflow parking sometimes available in the industrial area opposite the stadium. The club also makes clear that there is no parking at the Well Lane entrance, which is for pedestrians only.
Arrive early if travelling by car, because the school car park is not large and the surrounding streets can become busy. If you are using local street parking, do so carefully and respect restrictions and residents. Inside the ground, the best covered positions and seats are naturally the first to fill in poor weather, so choose your spot early for bigger games.
Poole Town usually publish admission details through their official channels, with pay-on-the-gate common for many fixtures at this level unless the match is made all-ticket or advance-only. For cup ties, local derbies or higher-profile matches, check the individual fixture information because prices, entry arrangements and segregation can change.
Away supporters will usually buy standard general admission for normal unsegregated league fixtures. Neutral supporters wanting comfort should arrive early for seating or cover, while those wanting atmosphere should stand with the busier groups behind a goal or along the main populated side. If an away allocation is announced, use the ticket and entrance instructions issued for that specific match.
Standard football ground rules apply at Tatnam. Supporters should not enter the pitch, use pyrotechnics, throw objects, bring glass into spectator areas or ignore steward instructions. If segregation is in place, supporters must remain in the section allocated to them.
Parking instructions are particularly important at this ground. Supporters should not park at the Well Lane entrance and should avoid blocking access roads, residential driveways, school access, industrial units or emergency routes around School Lane and the stadium.
Tatnam is a compact traditional ground, so disabled supporters should contact Poole Town in advance if they need accessible parking, step-free access, seating, toilet information or a suitable viewing position. The official parking guidance makes the School Lane side the key arrival point, while the Well Lane entrance is pedestrian only and not suitable for general parking.
Advance planning is recommended for anyone with mobility needs because the car park can fill quickly and some areas of the ground may be more suitable than others depending on crowd size and weather.
Regular public stadium tours are not advertised for Tatnam Ground. It is a working non-league football ground rather than a formal tour attraction.
Supporters wanting to see the ground should attend a Poole Town fixture. Any special access outside matchdays would need to be arranged directly with the club.
Poole Harbour is a worthwhile extra stop around Poole if you are making more of the day than just the match. It is one of the more obvious local attractions or landmarks to build into an away day.
Check opening times before travelling, particularly for winter midweek fixtures or attractions with seasonal hours.
Official club website. Use this for club news, fixtures, ticket information, supporter notices and the latest matchday updates.