Poole, England, United Kingdom

This picturesque seaside town on the south coast of Dorset is defined by its beautiful natural yachting harbor, maritime history, and award-winning beaches. The town’s name comes from the Old English pool and pol, both of which refer to places near water. It’s here that one finds watersports from paddleboarding to kayaking and nature trails perfect for spying local flora and fauna. Poole’s cobblestoned Old Town dates from the twelfth century, its street lined with Georgian buildings, local art galleries, and traditional pubs. Nearby, venture to Brownsea Island, tucked in the harbor, for its rocky beaches, wildlife, and namesake castle built by Henry VIII.