Often dismissed as just a gateway to Dorset's more famous coastal spots, Poole quietly holds one of the most extraordinary natural assets in the country - a vast, sheltered harbour so large it feels more like an inland sea than a stretch of coastline. It is also one of the UK's most sought-after seaside locations, particularly around the affluent Sandbanks, also referred to as the 'millionaires' playground', where property prices regularly rank among the highest outside London.

My visit began with a stop on the high street, where the town felt pleasantly unhurried. From there, a short bus ride took me and my friends to a completely different atmosphere - a quieter residential and coastal pocket where tall pine trees rise above contemporary homes, and the air begins to feel more maritime.

That transition from a down-to-earth high street to a glamorous coast is one of Poole's most interesting - and equally sad - traits. After settling in our Airbnb, we walked to the Salterns Marina on the northern side of the Sandbanks, part of the Poole Harbour. Dating back to the Iron Age and Roman era, it is the largest natural harbour in the UK and one of the largest in the world, a vast expanse of shallow water dotted with islands, sailing routes and protected wildlife areas. The marina itself is framed by elegant waterfront homes and long rows of moored boats that seem to stretch endlessly across the water. There is a polished, almost Mediterranean feel in places, helped by the light and the density of yachts, yet it remains unmistakably English in character.

Sandbanks is also one of the UK's most renowned watersports locations, particularly for kitesurfing and windsurfing, thanks to its consistent winds and exposed position.

We paused for some delicious seafood and then crossed to Studland by taking a short ferry ride across the harbour mouth, leading directly towards the dramatic chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks, part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Studland's wide beaches and heathland-backed dunes feel far more untamed, shaped by wind and tide rather than development. From there, the route towards Swanage offers some of the most striking coastal walking in Dorset.

The climb up towards the cliffs is steady but rewarding, passing quiet lanes, hillside greenery and traditional countryside features, including a small cemetery and a local pub with stunning views that feels perfectly placed for a rest stop.

From the top, we could see rocky cliffs dropping into the sea, which was genuinely one of the most beautiful cliff views I have seen. At points, we found ourselves running along the grassy cliff tops, stopping repeatedly just to take pictures and enjoy the view.

Poole's appeal lies in its contrasts. It is at once a working maritime town, a gateway to the Jurassic Coast, a hub for sailing and watersports, and home to some of the most exclusive coastal addresses in Britain. Yet it also contains quiet pine-fringed corners, vast open beaches and stretches of coastline that feel entirely untouched. It is this balance between nature and development, energy and calm, that, in my view, makes it such a compelling place to visit.