The Blue Pool is a real hidden gem located on the Furzebrook Estate which covers 300 acres of land.
Once you go in you’ll find a gift shop and ice cream parlour to you left plus toilets and the tea room which I’ll come to later. We always like to go the same way round and take the pathway on the right near the entrance which takes you anti-clockwise around the pool.
We were given a Gnome and Fairy Trail leaflet on entry and whilst we didn’t note everything we saw we did have great fun trying to find all the toadstools and fairy doors hidden in the trees.
There’s lots of pathways that take you down to the waters edge and there’s plenty of viewpoints which show the spectacular colours of the turquoise water which changes as the sun goes in and out of the clouds. We carried on walking past a smaller lake where you can see lots of wildlife like dragonflies and damselflies and a big totem pole which was created by the Wareham Men’s Shed.
After an hour or so we reached the UK’s longest suspended rope bridge. The impressive 50 metre long bridge stands 10 metres from the ground and after me threatening the kids several times to not jump we made our way over. There’s a one way system so you won’t have to wiggle past other visitors and whilst I’ll admit to holding on I did thoroughly enjoy it, as did the kids.
From here we found the play park and settled down for our picnic which was well earned. The woodland play park is really fab and there’s lots of wooden obstacles, bridges and a wall to climb on, slide, swings and an area suitable for younger children. From here you can also take the path by the slide and go up to a wonderful viewpoint of the Purbeck Hills and Corfe Castle. Instead of going back down into the play park we stayed up on higher ground and followed another path which brought us all the way back round to the tea rooms.
The last time we visited The Blue Pool I remember having THE best Millionaire Shortbread and after getting the kids an ice cream I made it very clear that my treat was not shareable haha. The vintage style tea room has had a makeover since our last visit and the rooms are beautifully decorated in an art deco style. If I hadn’t had children with me I would have happily sat by the window with a good book for a few hours. Since that wasn’t possible I ordered a cup of coffee and my favourite treat and sat outside with the others while a peacock meandered around us.
None of us were ready to leave so we decided the rope bridge was worth another trip so we went back on ourselves and did the bridge a few more times and another play in the park before deciding it was time to go.
We had such a brilliant day with our friends and their dog and each time we visit we find a new path to explore so I can’t wait to go again one day.
Good to know:
• Entry fees are very reasonable at £7.50 for adults and £3.75 for children (5-15 yrs). Under 5’s go free.*
• The tea room offers a varied menu with breakfast, light lunches, seasonal specials, kids lunch boxes, cream teas and even afternoon tea.
• The Blue Pool is dog friendly however dogs must be kept on a lead.
• Neither dogs nor people should enter the water, it is not safe for bathing.
• Car parking is free.
For more information including seasonal events, please visit The Blue Pool.
If you need more ideas on places to visit in Dorset then please take a look at some of our other blog posts below.
Where to see Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Free and low cost places to go in Dorset with kids
Crazy Golf Courses in Dorset
Tyneham Village and Worborrow Bay
Tout Quarry Sculpture Park in Portland
RSPB Arne
The Alpine Adventure Park at Snowtrax
Longham Lakes Circular Walk
By The Way Park in Wimborne
Hamworthy Park in Poole
The Great Field Play Park in Poundbury
For further ideas on places to visit in Dorset then please take a look at our list of Attractions in Dorset.
*Specific details and prices were correct at the time of writing.
