The Blue Pool — Attraction in Church Knowle

The Blue Pool, located near Wareham in Dorset, England, is a charming and tranquil attraction known for its strikingly colored waters and serene woodland surroundings. This unique site has been drawing visitors for nearly a century and offers a peaceful escape into nature.

Natural Beauty

The Blue Pool is nestled in a former clay pit that has been transformed into a stunning, almost magical, pool with ever-changing colors ranging from green to turquoise to deep blue. This color phenomenon is due to the light diffraction and the fine clay particles suspended in the water. The surrounding landscape, composed of lush woodlands and heathlands, adds to the picturesque setting.

Trails and Walks

The area around the Blue Pool features well-maintained walking trails that cater to different levels of fitness and interests. These trails meander through the woods and around the pool, offering numerous viewpoints where visitors can admire the changing hues of the water and the tranquility of the environment. The trails are suitable for families, with some paths being accessible for those with limited mobility.

Wildlife and Flora

The Blue Pool and its surrounding woods are a haven for wildlife. Birdwatchers will enjoy spotting various species, including woodpeckers, nuthatches, and even the occasional kingfisher. The flora is equally diverse, with rhododendrons, heather, and rare plants contributing to the area's biodiversity. The peaceful environment is perfect for nature lovers and photographers alike.

Visitor Facilities

The Blue Pool offers a range of visitor facilities to enhance the experience. The on-site Tea Room provides a delightful spot to relax and enjoy refreshments, including traditional cream teas and light lunches. There is also a gift shop offering souvenirs and local crafts. The site includes picnic areas, making it an excellent location for a family outing.

Educational Aspect

The Blue Pool Museum provides insight into the history and geology of the site, including its origins as a clay pit and the natural processes that have led to its unique coloring. Informative displays and artifacts help visitors understand the significance of the area.

Practical Information

The Blue Pool is open to visitors throughout most of the year, with varying opening times depending on the season. There is an entrance fee, which goes towards the maintenance and conservation of the site. Parking is available, and the site is well-signposted from the main roads.

Conclusion

The Blue Pool is a hidden gem in Dorset, offering a peaceful retreat into nature with its mesmerizing colored waters and serene woodland walks. It's a perfect spot for a day out with family or a quiet solo retreat, providing both natural beauty and a touch of local history. Whether you're interested in a leisurely stroll, a picnic, or simply soaking in the tranquil ambiance, the Blue Pool is a destination...

Do not try to visit off season on the 40 bus...the gates are locked on the Blue Pool Lane. I found myself stuck on a busy main road, with an hourly bus service & no way could I have walked along a cycle lane & all the way round by road. The walk on the road is dangerous & far too long for children as well. I had no choice but to scramble round the first gate catching my clothes on brambles to get in & through a gap in the fence near the 2nd gate. I took out a yearly membership in good faith then had to apply for a refund when I was told these gates are usually locked. I spoke to several staff whilst there & eventually, the manager by email & by phone several days later. Not everyone has a car & can drive up the main road to access this site. The number 40 bus announces the Blue Pool Lane stop for the Blue Pool. Depending on who I spoke to I was given different reasons for the gates being locked. One reason was the road was due to be resurfaced but there was no signage on the gate to say this. I've suggested they erect a stile next to the metal gate for walkers if they insist on locking these gates. Never expected so many obstacles on what should have been a lovely day out. Once you do gain access it's a lovely walk around the pool, soft underfoot from the pine needles & a very nice place for a picnic or to take a book or walk or for joggers! The new rope bridge is great & I found a fairies house. Lol Great for all ages. Visit out of the main season or outside school holidays if you want peace & quiet. Toilets on site, a cafe & a shop. Once the gates are unlocked 7 days a week I will renew my membership £50 a year in 2024 or £9.50 entry fee (£7.50 for pensioners) so if you want to visit regularly a yearly membership is really good value. The manager has promised to ring me when the gates are unlocked. I'd have given 5* if I hadn't had such hassle gaining access & information about why the gates were locked in the first place. I also contacted the Tourist information office because I did not want to see anyone, especially with children, find themselves stuck on a main road with no access to the site. It's no more than a 10 min walk from this bus stop. The road takes at least 40 minutes because I walked it on the way back to see how far it would be. For most of the way there are no footpaths. The nearest bus stop is then Stoborough so not...

One of the great and excellent attractions of Dorset and The Isle of Purbeck to visit providing an excellent nature reserve and tea rooms at the same time. The attraction as the name suggests is the main Blue Pool which is set at the heart of the site and get name from the clay in the pool when it used to be a quarry in the 19th Century and the pool provides the blue colour from the clay at the base of the pool as a result of the sun's reflection off it and in cloudy conditions the pool reflects a green colour. Although the size of the is not vast there are a variety of walks to do such as the Azalea Trail and the Sika Trail where you can see the beautiful woodland and also heathland dotted inside the site and also on the fringes of the site providing a rich habitat for wildlife and the site is also part of the Purbeck National Nature Reserve. The wildlife that visitors can see at the attraction is fairly rare which people cannot see in abundance in other parts of the country and the wildlife that can be seen is the Green Sand Lizard, Dartford Warbler and the Sika Deer. The walks around the pool are spectacular and the views across the pool are breathtaking particularly with the different colours reflecting off it such as the green and blue depending on the weather. The tea rooms are great take back to bygone era and some of them are decorated in an art nouveau style and provide a great place to relax and enjoys the beautiful views of the Pool and at the same time enjoy the food, which is priced very reasonably and is delicious. There is a gift shop providing a wide selection of souvenirs at reasonable prices. The staff at the site are very friendly and helpful providing a map of the site on entry to help people get around. Overall this is an excellent, enjoyable and relaxing attraction to visit and one to marvel at its uniqueness and also the rare wildlife that...