The Blue Pool – Swanage.co.uk

Set in 25 acres of woodland between Wareham and Corfe Castle, the Blue Pool derives its name from the striking turquoise colour the water this disused clay pit can appear.

The Blue Pool Nature Reserve & Tearooms has become one of Dorset’s most intriguing attractions, with its ever-changing kaleidoscope of colours in the water delighting visitors since it first opened to the public in 1935.

Person sitting on bench looking at Blue Pool through trees — Rest and take in the view

Blue Pool through foliage from walking path — The Blue Pool from woodland path

Couple having a picnic by the Blue Pool — Picnicking by the pool’s edge

Blue Pool viewed from path through trees — The Blue Pool

The 30-foot deep pool was hand-dug in the 1800s and sits within 150 acres of land as part of the Furzebrook Estate and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Despite being called the ‘Blue’ Pool, the name can be something of a misnomer – whilst the water can be a bright turquoise blue at times, the lake also appears as green, grey and even reddish-brown – making return visits a must in order to capture its dynamic beauty. These changes are due to light diffraction from the clay particles within the pool.

The pool may also appear a darker, more inky blue, depending on the time of day and the weather, and how the sky is reflected on its still surface.

You’ll find trails of varying lengths leading around the Blue Pool Nature Reserve and into its surrounding woodland, all culminating at the tearoom and gift shop.

There are two treasure-hunt style trails for children and a play area in the woods, where you’ll also find a viewing point that looks out across the Purbeck Hills toward Corfe Castle.

Walking routes

There are two main ways to explore the Blue Pool. Both trails offer excellent views of the pool itself, as well as interesting trails along which to spot wildlife.

Blue Pool illustrated walking route map — Walking route map at The Blue Pool

Red route

The Red Route is accessible and suitable for both wheelchairs and pushchairs.

The path leads you through the woodland, with various impressive viewpoints along the way to view the pool from different angles as it catches the light.

Green route

The Green Route meanders through the trees and around the base of the pool and includes some steps and uneven ground.

Family fun – search for squirrels and fairies in the trees

See if you can spot all the squirrels hiding in the branches, and the fairy doors dotted around the woodland.

Fairy door hunt

Whenever you see a toadstool in the woods, you know there’s a secret fairy door nearby.

Here are some we found – see if you can find the rest on your visit.

Red and white wooden toadstool at the Blue Pool, Furzebrook — Follow the toadstool trail

Blue Pool toadstool Number Two on a tree — Look for clues in the trees

Fairy doors in tree stump at Blue Pool — Fairy toadstool door

Blue Pool Fairy Door Hunt pink form — Mark your discoveries as you go

Toadstool sign next to bench at the Blue Pool — Fairy toadstool by wooden bench

Blue Pool fairy door amongst tree roots — Secret fairy door hidden in a tree

Blue Pool fairy door and toadstool in tree stump — Fairy door natural sculpture

Blue Pool Fairy Trail end sign — It’s a short walk to the café from the end of the fairy trail

Squirrel hunt

Look up high in the trees around the Blue Pool and you’ll find two kinds of squirrels – the ones for your quiz sheet, and maybe some real ones too…and see if you can spot a very happy tree!

Blue Pool fairy door hunt forms — Pick up an adventure trail checklist

Model squirrel in the trees at the Blue Pool, Furzebrook — Spot squirrels in the trees

A model squirrel in a tree at the Blue Pool — Don’t forget to look up!

Smiley face carved into tree at the Blue Pool, Furzebrook — Can you find this face in a tree by the Blue Pool?

Play area

Nestled within a small clearing in the trees is a woodland play area complete with a slide set into a hill, a roundabout and swings.

There is also wooden play equipment to test your balancing skills.

Blue Pool play equipment in the woods — Woodland playground equipment

Roundabout in the play area of Blue Pool in Furzebrook — Have a spin on the roundabout

Child walking along wooden play equipment at Blue Pool — Can you climb across without touching the ground?

The play area is easy to find along both the green and the red walking routes and is a stone’s throw from the café, so you can refuel after burning off all that energy.

Wildlife

The Blue Pool & Tearooms is home to an array of wildlife that thrive in this SSSI. Keep an eye out for grey squirrels, dragonflies and skin deer.

Near to the pool itself you might spot a rare sand lizard – the Furzebrook Estate, of which The Blue Pool is part of, supports 4% of the UK’s sand lizard population. Sand lizards are also resident in Wareham Forest and at Studland Bay, which is famously home to all six native British reptiles.

Birds such as the Dartford warbler and buzzards can also be seen. Badgers and owls also call The Blue Pool home.

Grey squirrel with acorn husk in its mouth — Grey squirrel

A Dartford warbler sitting on some gorse — Dartford warbler (Picture credit: Talis Qualis)

Female sika deer looking toward the camera — Sika deer

Bright green sand lizard on a stone — Sand lizard

Dragonfly resting on blue bench — Dragonfly

Tawny owl sitting on a tree branch — Tawny owl

Weddings & events

You can now have your big day in the magical setting of Dorset’s Blue Pool.

Make your day unique to you by creating a bespoke package with The Blue Pool’s dedicated team.

Bide and groom on wedding day with bouquet of roses — (via pixabay)

It’s an ideal setting for nature-based wedding photography, with over 25 areas hand-picked for that perfect shot, along with the use of an intimate indoor Art Deco-style function room.

There’s also ample private on-site parking for guests.

Contact Carolyn Snook for more details and to discuss your catering requirements – info@thebluepool.co.uk or call 01929 558150.

Illuminate at The Blue Pool

See the landscape of the nature reserve transformed with over 1km of magical lighting displays.

This special event was first brought to the Blue Pool in 2022 and is sure to become a firm annual fixture, with visitors entranced by the pairing of the incredible illuminations, coupled with evocative music.

Colourful lighting display at The Blue Pool Illuminate — Trees lit up around the Blue Pool

Blue Pool Illuminate event, the Isle of Purbeck — Colourful trees

Pathways at The Blue Pool Illuminate are lit by fairy lights — String lights through the woodland

Illuminate is a chance to experience the much-loved trails around the pool at night with a unique twist. Arrive just as the sun is going down as the trees take on an eerie glow at twilight, or come when it’s dark when the canopy is alive with a multitude of colours.

If you need to warm up after your visit, there are roaring fire-pits where you can have a hot dog, drink, and toast marshmallows, or cosy up inside the tearoom.

The event is great for families young and old, and is dog-friendly.

Check the Blue Pool’s website for the next Illuminate event.

Illuminate event at The Blue Pool in Furzebrook — The pool and tree line lit up with colour

Leaves with blue light at The Blue Pool Illuminate — Leaves taking on an eerie hue

Fairy lights along a pathway at Furzebrook's The Blue Pool — Tree trunk turned red

People walking along a woodland path during The Blue Pool Illuminate event — Luminous pink trees light the pathways

The Blue Pool Illuminate display creating colourful trees — A rainbow of trees

Colour-changing light display on water at The Blue Pool Illuminations — Watch as reflections in the water change from blue…

Illuminate at The Blue Pool in Dorset — …to pink and red

Red leaves against an evening sky at Illuminate, The Blue Pool — Foliage taking on an another-worldly quality

Colourful lights int he trees and on the water at The Blue Pool — The woodland landscape transformed by colour

Walk through the colourful woodland of Dorset's Blue Pool illuminations — Strolling amongst the magic

'Illuminate' lighting display at Dorset's Blue Pool — Striking magenta and violet trees

Dusk at The Blue Pool in Furzebrook — Canopies of pink and red

Colourful leaves at The Blue Pool's Illuminate event — Leaves bathed in a mysterious pink

Magenta-coloured tree trunks as part of The Blue Pool's winter illuminations — Pink trees reaching up to the sky

Child walking past a brightly-coloured tree at the Blue Pool illuminations — A tunnel of colour to explore

Reflections on the water at The Blue Pool Illuminate — Watch as colours are reflected in the water

Family standing by a fire pit at The Blue Pool during its 'Illuminate' event — Warm up by the fire pit

A couple toasting marshmallows at The Blue Pool — Purchase marshmallows to toast in the tearoom

Entrance information

Opening times

The Blue Pool is open daily from 10am – 4.30pm.

Dogs are welcome at the Blue Pool, but must be kept on a lead at all times.

Admission

Ticket prices include parking, which is situated at the entrance to the pool.

Adults £5
Children aged five – 18 £2.50

Under fives are free.

Season tickets

An annual pass allows you the freedom to enjoy Blue Pool whenever you like, throughout the year.

Friends of The Blue Pool Season ticket prices:

One adult: £50
Two adults/joint membership: £90
Children aged between five and 18: £25
Family Membership for up to adults and two children: £130

Stay at The Blue Pool

If you’re looking for accommodation in Purbeck in a stunning, natural setting, check out the Blue Pool’s new campsite, set in a peaceful area of the Furzebrook Estate, which has been set aside for a small number of pre-erected bell tents.

Bell tent area with barbecue at the Blue Pool, Furzebrook — Blue Pool Camping bell tents

It’s an intimate, six-tent plot on two acres of land, with ready-installed four or five-metre tents offering back-to-basics (with a bit of luxury!) camping.

Bell tents are either two-man (double bed or twin beds) or four-man, with one double bed and two singles. Each pitch has its own long-drop composting toilet, fresh drinking/cooking water, a fire pit (with initial supply of logs and kindling) and solar-powered lighting. All tents have their own outdoor seating area and inside each is a table and chairs, so you can have that camping experience without having to erect your own tent and lug all the heavy bits with you (you will need to bring bedding and cooking utensils).

Camping prices

The camping season at The Blue Pool currently runs from June to October.

Off-peak

Prices for 18 June – 22 July:

£85 per night for a four metre/two-man bell tent
£100 per night for a five metre/ four man/family tent

Peak prices

From 23 July – 31 October:

£100 a night (two-man)
£120 a night (family)

For more information visit our dedicated local Campsites page or to enquire about making a booking visit Blue Pool Camping’s website or give them a call: 01929 558150

Contact details for The Blue Pool

Visit The Blue Pool’s website or get in touch to find out more about your visit, annual membership, or for campsite booking enquiries:

ℹ️ bluepooltearooms.co.uk
📞 01929 558150 (or 077304 85558 out of hours)
📥 info@thebluepool.co.uk

How to get there

Postcode for your SatNav: BH20 5AR

The Blue Pool is situated on Furzebrook Road, near Wareham and Corfe Castle.

By car

If you’re coming from Wareham, or travelling from further afield such as Poole or Bournemouth, simply follow the brown signs from the Stoborough roundabout on the A351 as you leave Wareham.

Follow the road through Furzebrook for around a mile (which itself has some interesting walks across Stoborough Heath) until you see a sign to your left for The Blue Pool.

If you’re coming from Swanage, take the first left off the A351 at the Furzebrook/Stoborough roundabout and follow directions along Furzebrook Road as above.

By bus

The numbers 30 and 40 buses stop at the end of Blue Pool Lane, however there is around a ten minute walk to the entrance of the Blue Pool from there.

Screenshot Google Map showing location of Blue Pool — Google Maps

Parking

Cars parked near the entrance of Blue Pool in Furzebrook — Parking at The Blue Pool

On-site parking is free.

There is a large parking area outside the Blue Pool, with a grassy area which is often used for picnicking.

Being situated near all that woodland you might be lucky enough to see deer grazing nearby.

Safety advice

For your own safety and for the protection of wildlife at Blue Pool, the following guidelines are in place. (Note that fishing is also prohibited and not possible).

Can I swim in The Blue Pool?

For your safety, swimming is not permitted at the Blue Pool, which reaches 30ft in depth at its deepest point.

Children should be supervised at all times and dogs must be kept on a lead throughout the reserve.

The water is not safe for bathing and is for viewing only.

Can I bring a BBQ?

Due to the high risk of wildfires, barbecues are strictly forbidden.

There are however many picnic spots and benches dotted around the pool and within the woodland.

Snacks and lunches are also available from Blue Pool’s Tearooms & Coffee House.

The Wareham Bears at the Blue Pool

The Blue Pool was famously home to the whimsical Wareham Bears for many years. Prior to being here at Furzebrook, the display of over 200 bears have also lived at venues in Wiltshire, Norfolk and Somerset.

This charming collection was created during the 1970 and ’80s by a lady called Mary Hildesley who lived in nearby Encombe. She initially bought a few bears from Harrods and crafted outfits for each one.

The collection then evolved into many hundreds and Mary commissioned a bear ‘dolls’ house to be made to house them and to delight her grandchildren when they visited.

The Wareham Bears have taken their fond memories of their special time at Blue Pool to their new home at Wimborne Model Town.

Blue Pool gypsy Wareham Bears — Mary Hildesley’s Wareham Bears

Wareham Bears shop display at the Blue Pool

Wareham Bears sailboat display at the Blue Pool museum

The Wareham Bears nursery display at the Blue Pool

Visit The Wareham Bears at Wimborne Model Town:

📍 King Street, Wimborne Minster BH21 1DY
ℹ️ www.wimborne-modeltown.com
📞 01202 881924

The Blue Pools of Britain

Our Blue Pool here in Dorset isn’t the only relic of the UK’s mining and mineral extraction history. There are various other disused clay pits dotted across the UK, which, now flooded, have also become beauty spots and havens for wildlife.

Some, such as Cornwall’s Lansalsen pit – an old old china clay pit – have a well-known history closely linked to the area, whereas others, such as the Torwood Blue Pool in Scotland (known simply as ‘the Blue Pool’ to locals) are somewhat of a mystery.

Disused China Pit, near St Austell — Disused Lansalson Pit, Cornwall (Credit: madnzany)

The four-metre deep blue pool of Tor Wood — Torwood Blue Pool in Scotland (Credit: Scotland by Camera)

Flooded disused clay pit in Dartmoor National Park — The Red Lake on Dartmoor (Picture credit: Angel Ganev)

Blue pool disused quarry in Wales — The ‘Blue Lake’ at Golwern Quarry, Wales (credit: Dave Croker)

Other disused clay pits of interest include those of Glastry Ponds in County Down, Far Ings National Nature Reserve in Lincolnshire and Morley Brickyards in Derbyshire.