Historic Antony Estate Swimming Pond to Be Restored for Cornwall
A Forgotten Bathing Spot Returns to the Woods
Tucked into the woodland along the tidal River Lynher, the bath pond on the Antony Estate has been quietly waiting for its moment. The pond and its bath house were built in the late 18th century to a design by Thomas Parlby. Reginald Pole Carew, who inherited the estate, wanted a private place to swim among the trees, and the bath house once had a sunken pool fed directly by the pond. Ladies swam there while the men used the open water, a reminder of how differently these spaces were once shared.
Over the decades, the pond slowly changed character. Leaves dropped from the surrounding trees, humus and mud settled on the bottom, and the water became more of a garden feature than a place to dive in. Anyone who has walked the estate’s paths will recognise the still, dark surface that now sits where bathers once splashed.
For Torpoint and the wider Rame Peninsula, this matters because the site combines heritage, woodland and water in one walk. Many people head to Newquay for its famous surf and crowds at Fistral Beach, but a restored pond on the Lynher offers something quieter and rooted in local history. It could become a place locals visit without the summer traffic, and that is a welcome prospect for a community that values its green spaces.
Who Is Behind the Project and Why It Matters
The restoration is led by a new partnership between the Carew Pole Garden Trust, Torpoint Artists Collective and Rooted Futures. Specialists at the garden trust have begun the groundwork, looking at how the pond can be cleared, which trees need maintenance and how the tidal inlet moves water through the site. Funding comes from the National Lottery Community Fund, which gives the project the financial backing to move from ideas to practical work.
Sir Tremayne Carew Pole, who lives on the estate, has long hoped to make the pond swimmable again. He has said he wants to share its benefits with people in the local community, and that personal commitment gives the project a strong sense of purpose.
For local people, the impact could be direct. Open-water swimmers, who already seek out cold, natural water across Cornwall, may find a new and historic spot close to home. Artists at Torpoint Artists Collective are planning workshops in wildlife recording, photography and nature journalling, which could give creative residents fresh inspiration and a reason to get outdoors. Families, dog walkers and anyone who simply enjoys a woodland stroll stand to gain improved access to the estate’s landscape.
What Residents Can Do Next
The partners have made clear that this is a community project, and they want local voices involved from the start. Anyone interested in the pond’s future, including open-water swimmers and nature lovers, can share feedback or offer to volunteer by emailing Antony Woodland Garden. Volunteers with practical skills, local knowledge or simply an interest in the site are especially welcome.
A Friends of the Pond group is also planned. Its role will be to help shape the next steps, bringing together ideas for the site’s long-term care and everyday use. Residents who want a say in how the pond is managed should consider joining, as early involvement often makes the biggest difference.
What should you watch for next? Keep an eye on updates about the clearing work and tree maintenance, which will show how quickly the site is progressing. Look out for the artist-led workshop programme being announced, and for any news on how the tidal inlet and water flow are being studied. Because the pond is connected to a tidal river, it is worth remembering that water conditions can change quickly. Anyone considering a dip once the pond reopens should check local guidance and take sensible precautions. With careful planning, this historic pond could become a lasting gift to the community.
Source: Historic swimming pond to be restored for Cornwall community
