Little Nell's Pool

Little Nell's Pool is Bellwick's central freshwater lake, located in the heart of the town centre. The pool serves as a recreational area and is one of Bellwick's most recognizable landmarks.

General Information

Surface Area: Approximately 2.4 hectares (6 acres)

Maximum Depth: 4.2 meters (central area)

Water Source: Natural spring-fed with overflow drainage to Loughmere Channel

Access: Open to public 24 hours daily

Facilities: Walking path (1.2 km), benches, lighting (limited)

Historical Background

The pool is named after Eleanor "Little Nell" Hargrove (1847-1859), daughter of Bellwick's first mayor. The young girl drowned in the pool during winter of 1859, leading to the installation of warning signs and seasonal swimming restrictions that remain in effect to this day.

The pool has served various functions throughout Bellwick's history, including as a Victorian bathing spot (1870s-1920s), a civil defense water reservoir (1939-1945), and briefly as an outdoor ice skating rink during the severe winter of 1963.

Current Regulations

SWIMMING PROHIBITED

Swimming, paddling, and entering the water is STRICTLY PROHIBITED year-round.

Water quality testing (2018-2024) has consistently shown bacterial levels exceeding safe standards. The pool bottom contains unstable sediment, submerged debris, and sudden depth changes.

Violators subject to GBP 200.00 fixed penalty notice.

Permitted Activities

Prohibited Activities

Safety Information

DROWNING HAZARD

Since 1960, there have been eleven documented drowning incidents at Little Nell's Pool, most recently in 2017. The pool's deceptive appearance conceals dangerous conditions:

  • Water depth increases suddenly 2-3 meters from shore
  • Water temperature remains cold year-round (8-12 degrees C)
  • Underwater vegetation can entangle swimmers
  • Poor visibility - sediment clouds water within seconds

Emergency services response time to pool: 6-8 minutes

Emergency Contact

In case of emergency, call 999 immediately

Location reference: "Little Nell's Pool, Town Centre"
Nearest emergency access: High Street (north side) or Chandler Lane (south side)

Three life rings are mounted at marked stations around the pool perimeter.

South Shore Closure

The southern shore of Little Nell's Pool, including the former fishing dock area, has been permanently closed to public access since October 2019.

Reason for Closure: Structural instability of former dock pilings and waterfront retaining wall. Engineering assessment (2019) determined repair costs exceed GBP 280,000. Council has elected to maintain closure pending future funding.

Access: Fencing and signage prohibit entry. Area monitored by CCTV.

Wildlife

Little Nell's Pool supports a small population of waterfowl including:

Please do not feed waterfowl. Bread and human food causes health problems for birds and contributes to poor water quality.

Water Quality

Bellwick Council conducts quarterly water quality testing in accordance with Environment Agency guidelines. Most recent test results (July 2025) indicate:

Improvement plans are under review but not currently funded.

Future Development

The Council's 2023-2028 Development Plan includes potential improvements to Little Nell's Pool area, subject to funding:

No timeline currently established for any improvements.

Contact Information

Parks & Recreation Department
Phone: 01947 555-0100 (ext. 312)
Email: parks@bellwick.org

To Report Issues:
Safety hazards, damaged facilities, or anti-social behaviour
Phone: 01947 555-0100
Out of hours emergencies: 999

Last updated: August 2025

<- BACK TO HOME PAGE