I've long been curious about a ruined tidal pool which is part of the Coleton Fishacre estate in South Devon. The estate was home, in the 20s, to the impresario Ruper D'Oyly Carte, he of opera fame; they lived in fine style in their new, art deco house, with their own private beach - Pudcombe Cove - where they built a seawater swimming pool and sunbathing terrace. Now, due to cliff falls, the beach is only accessible from the water. We set off from nearby Kelly's Cove, into gin-clear sea, where we saw lots and lots of fish, and starfish too. It was a swim of about half a mile, through turquois
e water, to get to the D'Oyly Cartes' private playground. I'm afraid to report the tidal pool was rather disappointing. Since the path down to the beach has gone it's been left to the elements (even though it's a listed building) - and it no longer holds water at low tide. The sun terrace is now just a pile of rubble. I stood by the pool and imagined myself back into the roaring twenties, lounging in the sun while sipping a cocktail brought down by the butler. Dream on....
I've long been curious about a ruined tidal pool which is part of the Coleton Fishacre estate in South Devon. The estate was home, in the 20s, to the impresario Ruper D'Oyly Carte, he of opera fame; they lived in fine style in their new, art deco house, with their own private beach - Pudcombe Cove - where they built a seawater swimming pool and sunbathing terrace. Now, due to cliff falls, the beach is only accessible from the water. We set off from nearby Kelly's Cove, into gin-clear sea, where we saw lots and lots of fish, and starfish too. It was a swim of about half a mile, through turquois
e water, to get to the D'Oyly Cartes' private playground. I'm afraid to report the tidal pool was rather disappointing. Since the path down to the beach has gone it's been left to the elements (even though it's a listed building) - and it no longer holds water at low tide. The sun terrace is now just a pile of rubble. I stood by the pool and imagined myself back into the roaring twenties, lounging in the sun while sipping a cocktail brought down by the butler. Dream on....
2 comments:
Hello Sophie, really enjoy your site, especially interesting about the sea pool as visited it a few years ago and thought exactly the same things about how great it must have been and how amazing the whole house and gardens where. Swan in Hope Cove recently as well. Thanks, keep swimming in interesting places, Martin
Thanks Martin, so glad you like the blog...yes I'm always in search of new and interesting places to swim...have a low boredom threshold!
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