At (53.847°, −2.995°), and approximately northwest of London, Poulton-le-Fylde stands above sea level. It is approximately north-east of Blackpool and approximately north-west of Preston. It is situated on the Fylde, a coastal plain that is approximately a square peninsula. The town is on flat, slightly raised ground, approximately from the River Wyre and from the Irish Sea. Until the 20th century, the town consisted of only a few streets surrounding the central market place; it became surrounded by housing developments from the end of the Second World War. The Poulton urban area is adjacent to Carleton and Hardhorn, and close to the Blackpool Urban Area. The land to the east of the town is mostly agricultural.