Wareham is a fertile oasis well watered by the rivers Frome and Piddle. The early town evolved from a centre of Roman pottery production to a high status Saxon burg. During King Alfred's reign massive earthen banks were constructed and the street pattern of today has been constrained by that huge fortification. However, the meteoric rise of Poole in the early Middle Ages was largely at the expense of Wareham, whose fortunes were eclipsed by its younger neighbour. A disastrous fire in 1762 destroyed much of the ancient town, but it still retains some charm.