Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is a unitary authority on the south coast of England, covering Bournemouth's seafront, the Poole Harbour complex and the town of Christchurch. The area includes extensive sandy beaches along Bournemouth and Poole, a seafront pier in Bournemouth and the Sandbanks peninsula at the harbour mouth. Poole Harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the UK; its islands include Brownsea Island, where the first Scout camp was held in 1907. A chain ferry operates across the harbour entrance, linking the peninsula with the opposite shore.

Poole town centre and Quay sit beside marinas, commercial berths and boatyards, and Christchurch occupies the tidal mouth of the Rivers Stour and Avon with Christchurch Priory at its centre. Bournemouth contains a conference centre, a university campus and public gardens that descend to the beach. The unitary authority brings together urban centres, suburban neighbourhoods and coastal and harbour environments, offering walking routes, sailing facilities and waterfront transport while concentrating local services in the three main towns.