The Blue Pool & Tea Rooms. New home to the Wareham Bears
Purbeck’s unique and tranquil beauty spot and one of Dorset’s best-loved attractions since 1935
Located between Wareham and Corfe Castle, the Blue Pool is an oasis of peace and beauty. Once a clay pit, the Pool changes colour constantly as tiny particles of clay filter through the waters - sometimes green, sometimes turquoise - depending upon the diffraction of the light. Steps lead down to the water’s edge and up to views of the Purbeck Hills. Inside the grounds you are surrounded by 20 acres of heath, woodland and gorse crossed by a network of sandy paths, where visitors can wander at will through leafy glades and secret nooks to experience the rich flora and fauna.
We have a charming Tea House serving morning coffee, lunches, snacks and cream teas, a Museum illustrating the early history of clay mining in the area, a Gift Shop, Plant Centre and the Blue Pool is now the NEW home of the Wareham Bears.
The Estate
A Site of Special Scientific Interest
The Blue Pool estate received its SSSI status in 1985, but the protection and preservation of wildlife and habitat has long been the policy on the estate, many years before the recent concerns over global ecological damage. Now our rare species residents like the Dartford Warbler and Green Sand Lizard have the protection of law. It is a place of peace and tranquillity; the lush vegetation around the Pool is home to squirrels, rabbits, badgers, deer and a multitude of bird species. Sit and relax on one of our rustic benches and contemplate the ever-changing colour of the water or watch the magnificent dragonfly aerial displays on a summer afternoon.
Children love the Blue Pool. It is a perfect setting for them with freedom to run around and find secret places to explore in a safe and secure environment. We have three play areas for them to enjoy and also a marked trail to hunt for model squirrels hidden in the trees ( but parents get involved too!) Certificates are given out in the Museum for all squirrel hunters. Dogs on leads are welcome but neither dogs nor people should enter the water on safety grounds.
The Tea House
An irresistible aroma of freshly-baked scones
The Tea House blends beautifully into its surroundings with walls of sand and lime bricks from the local Beacon Hill brickworks and a roof of Canadian cedarwood shingles. Built in 1935, many of the fixtures and fittings (including the pine floors) are original. Sample our morning coffee, delicious lunches and our famous Cream Teas with freshly baked scones which can be enjoyed out on the terrace in warm weather - our imaginative menu caters for most dietary needs (including gluten and dairy free products) and there is also a selection of Dorset ice creams and a range of organic drinks but whatever your taste, you can be sure of a warm welcome. Dogs are equally welcome in the Tea House, on a lead of course.
The Museum
From clay pipes to cream ware
The Blue Pool Museum was opened in 1986 to tell the story of clay mining in the area - an industry of great importance to the economy of Dorset, which traces its history back to the 16th century. The quality of Furzebrook clay was known to the Romans who had kilns in the area but with the arrival of tobacco in this country from the New World it became in great demand by the makers of clay pipes throughout Britain. By the 17th century, the craze for porcelain and the discovery that the extra fine white-firing clay from Furzebrook was ideal for fine china led to the expansion of the industry to supply such pottery manufacturers as Josiah Wedgwood.
The Museum has displays showing the mining and transportation of clay as well as clay pipes, hair curlers (another use!) and examples of fine ceramics made from Dorset’s
clay - well worth a visit.
The Gift Shop and Plant Centre
A fascinating miniature world of teddy bears
After many years away from Wareham, the internationally well known collection of 200+ miniature teddy bears originally created by Mary Hildesley, has come back home to settle into their 15 room Bear House and prepare to meet their visitors. Come and see how they work and play in their hat shop, builder’s workshop, the maltings, the stable block, in the kitchen garden and on the rugby field (didn’t you know that Bears like rugby?) Meet Havahug the cook, Miss Pizzi Carter the musician who never throws anything away and naughty young Annabel de Trott who causes chaos wherever she goes. The Bears also like the arts; see them dressed up in their finery to watch the Ballet Rumbear in their magnificent Theatre, complete with full Bear orchestra!
