Historic swimming pond to be restored

Plans have been made for the restoration of a historic swimming pond located on the Antony Estate in Cornwall. A new partnership between the Carew Pole Garden Trust, Torpoint Artists Collective, and Rooted Futures has taken the first steps towards bringing the historic bath house swimming pond back into community use. The project, funded through the National Lottery Community Fund, aims to improve access to nature and create a welcoming community resource.

Specialists from the garden trust have begun assessing the bath house pond, identifying tree maintenance needs, and understanding the tidal inlet and water movement through the site. The bath pond and bathing house, built in the late 18th century by Thomas Parlby for Reginald Pole Carew, were initially used for swimming. However, over time, it was transformed into a decorative pond as leaves and mud accumulated around the surrounding trees.

Sir Tremayne Carew Pole, the current resident of the estate, expressed his desire to restore the pond for swimmable enjoyment and to share the benefits with the local community. The partnership aims to shape the next steps of the restoration, focusing on creating a welcoming community resource where people can connect with nature, learn, and contribute to the long-term care of a valuable local landscape.

Education, creativity, and community participation will be central to the project. The Torpoint Artists Collective will develop a program of artist-led workshops, including wildlife recording, photography, and nature journalling. The partners have invited open-water swimmers, nature lovers, and anyone interested in the pond's future to share feedback and volunteer by emailing Antony Woodland Garden.

They also plan to establish a Friends of the Pond group to help shape the next steps and bring together local knowledge, practical skills, and ideas for the site's long-term care and use.