Sketch Blog - Annie Wood Art

Light Dancing and the Healing Colours of the Blue Pool

3rd May 2015

When I am in need of some deep peace and tranquility I often visit the healing oasis found within the Blue Pool at Wareham, Dorset.

The first time I discovered this beautiful place I was just incredulous - it truly feels as if you have been transported to another time and place.

Flooded to a depth of 40 feet, the Blue Pool gained its name from the extraordinary tones of colour in the water which are a result of light diffracting on the tiny particles of clay suspended in the water. As the water changes temperature it can appear a vivid prussian blue then turquoise and sometimes a gorgeous pea-green!

Set in a deep clay bowl with steps down to the edge and views of the Purbeck Hills beyond, the pool is surrounded by 25 acres of heath and pine tree forests. Bright yellow gorse bushes line the edge of the woodland within which hide many rare plants and animals; Dartford Warblers, dragonflies and Green Sand Lizards can be found as well as squirrels, rabbits, badgers and deer.

The estate was declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1985 and attracts many naturalists and ornithologists. It was also a favourite place of creative inspiration for the painter Augustus John and for Paul Nash who painted and photographed it in the 1930's while living in Swanage.

So if you feel like being transported to another realm do visit this magical part of Dorset and contemplate the beautiful light as it dances on the ever-shifting and luminous tones within the water.....