Verwood is a town and civil parish in eastern Dorset, England. The town lies 10 miles (16 km) north of Bournemouth and 13 miles (21 km) north east of Poole as the crow flies. The civil parish comprises the town of Verwood together with the extended village of Three Legged Cross, and in 2014 had a population of 15,170 (according to Dorset County Council). Verwood is the largest town in Dorset without an upper school. It sits on the River Crane which later becomes Moors River.

Verwood was originally recorded as Beau Bois (Norman French: "beautiful wood") in 1288, and it was not until 1329 that it got the name Verwood, which developed from Fairwood or The Fayrewood. Verwood is recorded as "Fairwod" (1329) and as "Fayrwod" (1436); this name has the meaning "fair wood" and the modern form shows the change of initial "f" to "v" characteristic of many Southwestern English dialects.

The East Dorset pottery industry, known collectively as Verwood Pottery, thrived from early times on the clay soils of the neighbourhood which had ample firing material close at hand. The major production was of domestic earthenware although finer and more unusual pieces have been found from earlier times. In the latter days ornamental and novelty items were produced.

Until the end of their useful life, the methods of production had not varied from Roman times, all the processes being carried out with no mechanisation or electrification. For example, the clay was always trodden by foot and not mixed in a pug mill. The wheel was turned by an assistant with a pole or handle, and the kilns were wood-fired. For these reasons the Crossroads Pottery, then the last remaining in the area, attracted national and local newspaper attention in the early to mid-20th century.

The industry was not confined to a local sales base. Hawkers, or "higglers", took the wares for sale over a wide area of southern England. They were also exported abroad, especially to Newfoundland which had a thriving trade with the nearby port of Poole. Examples of Verwood pots can be seen at the Verwood Heathland Heritage Centre.

The Verwood Memorial Recreation Ground is dedicated to those who fell in the World War I, and is owned by the Verwood Memorial Recreation Ground Trust. Members of the Verwood Town Council automatically become trustees. The Recreation Ground land was purchased by public subscription in 1920 and the parish council was to hold the land to the benefit of the inhabitants of the parish of Verwood for use as a public recreation ground. The Recreation Ground comprises an area big enough for a football pitch and several children's play areas. It is across the road from the Memorial Stone, and had a set of wrought iron gates with a plaque on them saying "Verwood Recreation Ground / In memory of those that fell in the Great War 1914-1918".

It is widely believed that the oak trees around the recreation ground were planted in remembrance of each local person who fell in the First World War (one tree per person). These trees each have tree preservation orders to protect them.

In 1955 a formal Committee of Trustees was set up with the intention of building a new village hall, to be called the "Memorial Hall" in remembrance of those locals who valiantly gave their lives in World War II and it was agreed that the new hall should be constructed at the Recreation Ground. The official opening of Verwood Memorial Hall took place on 9 May 1959. The Memorial Hall was extended during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee year (1977). The hall has come under threat on a number of occasions, each time public pressure resisting its demolition.