Poole is a coastal town in Dorset, southern England, centred on one of the largest natural harbours in the world. Its waterfront combines a working port, marina, sandy beaches, and historic streets, giving the town several distinct areas to explore. Poole Quay is lined with restaurants, pubs, and boat operators, while the Old Town contains historic buildings and narrow lanes. The harbour itself is central to local life, supporting commercial shipping, fishing, recreation, and ferry services to destinations along the English Channel and nearby islands.

Poole's history is closely connected with the sea and maritime trade. The town developed as a port handling goods from Britain and overseas, and its Quayside retains buildings associated with its trading past. Poole Museum explores local archaeology, maritime history, and the development of the harbour, while St James' Church provides an important historic landmark in the Old Town. The town also has strong links with pottery production through Poole Pottery, whose distinctive ceramics became associated with Dorset design. These maritime and craft traditions remain visible in museums, historic buildings, and local collections.

The harbour and surrounding coastline provide Poole's most distinctive landscapes. Brownsea Island lies within the harbour and is managed by the National Trust, with woodland, heathland, lagoons, and important populations of red squirrels and birds. Poole's sandy beaches include Sandbanks, Branksome, and Canford Cliffs, forming a long stretch of coastline beside the harbour entrance. The South West Coast Path passes through the wider area, while boat trips provide views of the harbour's islands, channels, and shoreline. Nearby Studland Bay adds further beaches, dunes, heathland, and protected coastal habitats.

Poole's food culture reflects its coastal location, with seafood such as locally caught fish, crab, and shellfish commonly appearing on menus around the harbour. Dorset apple cake is a well-known regional speciality, traditionally made with apples and served with cream or custard. The town also has a long association with seafood markets and fishing, although the modern waterfront includes a wide range of restaurants and cafés. A distinctive feature of Poole Harbour is its collection of islands, including Brownsea, Green Island, Furzey Island, and Long Island, each contributing to the varied scenery of one of England's major natural harbours.