Swanpool, Cornwall facts for kids
Swanpool is a unique natural area in Cornwall, England. Its name comes from the Cornish words Lynyeyn Pryskelow, which mean 'cold pool of the elm thicket'. It is a small coastal lagoon filled with salty water. A shingle bar (a ridge of pebbles) separates the lagoon from the beach, which shares the same name.
The famous South West Coast Path walking trail crosses this shingle bar. Swanpool is located near the town of Falmouth, on the beautiful south coast of Cornwall. It sits between two other places called Maenporth and Gyllyngvase.
A well-known building in the area is Swanpool House. This building was built in the 1800s. During the Second World War, American soldiers used it. Today, Swanpool House is used for holiday apartments. Long ago, there was even a mine that went deep under the lagoon!
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What is a Coastal Lagoon?
A coastal lagoon is a body of water that gets its salty water from the nearby sea. At Swanpool, the water comes from Falmouth Bay. It seeps through the shingle bar or enters through small openings.
Swanpool also gets fresh water from a small stream and from rain. This mix of fresh and salty water makes Swanpool very special. The water in the lagoon is always layered, like a cake. This means the saltiness changes depending on how deep you go.
Why Swanpool is Important for Nature
Swanpool is so important for nature that it has two special titles. It is a Local Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it is protected because of its unique wildlife.
One of the most important reasons Swanpool is special is because of a tiny creature called the trembling sea mat (Victorella pavida). This small animal, which is a type of bryozoan, needs a very specific amount of salt in the water to grow. Swanpool is one of the few places where the salt levels are just right for it!
Many other animals and plants live at Swanpool, including:
- mallard duck
- moorhen
- mute swan
- coot
- water rail
- kingfisher
- little grebe
- siskin
- tufted duck
- lady's smock (also called cuckoo flower)
- yellow flag iris
Swanvale Nature Reserve
Close to Swanpool, there is another small nature reserve called Swanvale. This area is managed by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Swanvale stretches from the northern end of Swanpool towards the town. It is mostly made up of willow trees growing in wet, marshy ground called carr. This provides a safe home for many small birds and mammals.
Swanpool Mine History
Long ago, there was a mine under Swanpool. This mine was very deep, about 80 fathoms (which is about 146 meters or 480 feet). It produced a valuable metal called silver-lead ore. The mine made a lot of money, about £60,000 worth!
The Swanpool mine first started in the early 1700s. It closed down in 1865. But then, it opened again on November 22, 1880. A person named Sir Julius Vogel and his friends helped pay for it to reopen.
Fun Things to Do at Swanpool Beach
Swanpool Beach is a great place for visitors! You can learn exciting water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, and coasteering here. These activities are run by a company called Elemental Watersports.
There is also a nice beach café where you can grab a snack. If you're looking for a bigger meal, there's a popular beach restaurant called Hooked (it used to be called the Three Mackerels Restaurant).
You can find car-parking at Swanpool, but there is a charge in the summer. There are also public toilets available. For some extra fun, you can play a round of crazy golf!
Just remember, dogs are not allowed on the beach between Easter Sunday and October 1st.
