Dozmary Pool

Dozmary Pool
Location	Bodmin Moor, Cornwall
Type	Tarn
Outflow	Unnamed stream
Basin countries	United Kingdom
Area	4.3ha
Max-depth	2.74m
Elevation	305m

Dozmary Pool Dozmary Pool is a small upland lake on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, England, noted for a combination of natural, archaeological, and legendary significance. The pool occupies a shallow depression on the moor plateau near Roughtor, Brown Willy, and the settlement of Minions, forming part of the hydrology and peatland mosaic that includes other moorland waterbodies such as Colliford Lake and Bodmin Reservoir. Its status as one of the few remaining natural meres in Cornwall has attracted attention from Natural England, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, and researchers from institutions including the University of Exeter and the British Geological Survey.

Geography and Physical Characteristics

The pool lies at roughly 305 metres above sea level on the eastern fringe of Bodmin Moor, bounded by granite outcrops associated with the Cornubian batholith, near tors such as Stowe's Hill and Sharp Tor. Formed in a shallow basin within peat and granite drift, its surface area is about 4.3 hectares with a maximum depth measured at approximately 2.74 metres; it drains via a short unnamed outflow into tributaries feeding the River Fowey catchment. The local climate is influenced by maritime westerlies off the Celtic Sea and the pool lies within the South West England upland climate zone; surrounding soils are peaty podzols supporting blanket bog and heather moor. Designations in the landscape include proximity to Sites of Special Scientific Interest such as the Bodmin Moor SSSI and the pool contributes to hydrological connectivity with reservoirs including Siblyback Lake.

Ecology and Wildlife

The pool supports a range of peatland and aquatic communities typical of low-nutrient upland meres, with floating and emergent vegetation such as Sphagnum mosses recorded by botanists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and ecologists at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. Avifauna observed at the site include passerines and waterfowl monitored by volunteers from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and local birdwatching groups operating in Cornwall Birdwatching and Preservation Society surveys. Aquatic invertebrates and rare odonates have been sampled in studies conducted in partnership with the Natural History Museum, while amphibians such as the common frog have been reported in herpetological records held by the British Herpetological Society. The pool’s oligotrophic character makes it sensitive to nutrient enrichment from adjacent grazing land managed under schemes by Defra and local farm stewardship initiatives.

History and Archaeology

Archaeological interest in the area dates to antiquarian surveys by figures associated with the Royal Archaeological Institute and later systematic fieldwork by archaeologists from the Cornwall Archaeological Unit and the University of Exeter archaeology department. The moorland around the pool contains Bronze Age and Iron Age monuments comparable to sites at Rillaton Barrow, Carn Brea, and Lanyon Quoit; field surveys have recorded hut circles, enclosure banks, and stone alignments typical of prehistoric settlement. Post-medieval activity includes tin-streaming and remnants of Cornish mining networks linked historically to ports such as Plymouth and Falmouth, with archival material in the Cornwall Record Office documenting land use changes. Geomorphological studies by the British Geological Survey and palaeoecological cores analysed at the University of Cambridge have helped reconstruct Holocene peat development and anthropogenic impacts.

Folklore, Legends, and Cultural Significance

The pool is strongly associated with Arthurian legend and local Cornish folklore, featuring in narratives alongside figures and places like King Arthur, Sir Bedivere, Tintagel Castle, and Glastonbury Abbey through medieval and modern retellings. Traditions claim that the Sword in the Lake—often conflated with Excalibur in popular accounts—was cast into the pool, linking it to literary cycles recorded by chroniclers such as Geoffrey of Monmouth and later collectors including Sabine Baring-Gould. Contemporary cultural practice includes references in works by Cornish writers and poets, and the site figures in regional tourism materials produced by Visit Cornwall and heritage organizations like the National Trust when discussing Cornish mythology and pilgrimage routes across Bodmin Moor.

Conservation and Management

Conservation management involves statutory bodies and NGOs: landowners coordinate with Natural England, the Environment Agency, and the Cornwall Wildlife Trust to maintain water quality, peatland condition, and archaeological integrity. Management measures reflect guidance from national strategies such as the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and agri-environment schemes administered by Defra to reduce grazing pressure, control invasive species, and restore peat function. Monitoring programs have engaged researchers from the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and the University of Exeter to track hydrology, vegetation change, and species populations; the site’s vulnerability to acidification and climate-driven hydrological shifts is addressed within regional resilience planning by Cornwall Council.

Recreation and Access

Public access to the pool is via rights of way and moorland tracks used by walkers, historians, and birdwatchers; nearby waypoints include Liskeard and the hamlet of Minions, with transport links to A30 and local bus services. Recreational use emphasizes low-impact activities promoted by groups such as the Ramblers and local tourism operators listed by Visit Cornwall, with guidance to respect archaeological sites and wildlife sensitivities enforced by the landowner and advisory signage from Cornwall Council. Events and guided walks sometimes integrate storytelling about Arthurian legend led by local heritage volunteers and community groups connected to regional cultural festivals.

Category: Lakes of Cornwall Category:Bodmin Moor