Under the direction of its lead architect and planner Léon Krier, its design is based on traditional architecture and New Urbanist philosophy.

Poundbury has been praised for reviving the low-rise streetscape built to the human scale[3][4][5] and for echoing traditional local design features, but it has not reduced car use, as originally intended.

"[6] Poundbury has been built according to the principles of Charles III, who is known for holding strong views challenging post-war trends in town planning that were suburban in character.

The development is built to a high-density urban pattern, intent on creating an integrated community of shops, businesses, and private and social housing; there is no zoning.

[10][11] In 1987, the land was included in the West Dorset District Council local plan as a preferred location for development to expand the town of Dorchester.

Seeing an opportunity to put the Prince of Wales's ideas into practice, the Duchy of Cornwall chose to lead on planning the development itself, rather than sell the land to an established housebuilder.

[19] Businesses include a Waitrose store, a technical company which produces parts for aeroplane wings, and a chocolate factory.

[29] Due to Poundbury's unique appearance and plan, the town has been visited by architects, government officials, planners, housebuilders, and developers from around the world.

[30] Also in 2016, a pub named the Duchess of Cornwall Inn was opened in honour of the wife of Charles III (then Prince of Wales), Queen Camilla.

[31] Every year in August, the Dorset Food & Arts Festival is held at Queen Mother Square attracting thousands of people.

[35] In May 2022, the Prince of Wales formally opened a huge play area in Poundbury's largest park, the Great Field.

Writing in Architect magazine, Professor Witold Rybczynski said that "Poundbury embodies social, economic, and planning innovations that can only be called radical.

[47] A few years later, British architecture and design critic Oliver Wainwright of The Guardian wrote, "Poundbury, the Prince of Wales's traditionalist village in Dorset, has long been mocked as a feudal Disneyland.

[46] Countering criticisms of Poundbury's aesthetics, English philosopher Sir Roger Scruton praised the town for its commitment to pre-modern architectural and planning principles.