Shoalstone Seawater Pool
Shoalstone Pool is an outdoor 53 metre sea water swimming Pool situated in a stunning position on Brixham sea front. The Pool is one of only a few left in the country. It is built into a natural rock pool that in Victorian times was popular for bathing. As a salt water Pool, there is an abundant supply of water; however in 1896 two walls were built to retain the tidal water that flooded in.
The Pool is funded from donations, grants, fund-raising, sponsorship, advertising on site, car park revenue and the hire charges for beach huts and beach furniture.
In 2004 Torbay Council could no longer afford to support the Pool. A public meeting was convened and a decision taken to create a working party to look at keeping the Pool open. This subsequently became “The Friends of Shoalstone Pool” who worked with Torbay Council to maintain the Pool thus reducing the cost to Torbay Council.
When setting its budget in 2014 Torbay Council drew up plans to close Shoalstone Pool. Following prolonged negotiations Brixham Town Council (“BTC”) entered into a lease under which Torbay Council leases Shoalstone Pool, together with the land and buildings surrounding the Pool to BTC. Torbay Council remains the freeholder. Shoalstone Pool is managed on behalf of BTC by Shoalstone Pool CIO.
Shoalstone Pool is much used by local people and is very popular with tourists. The number of visitors per year depends upon the weather but several thousand people use the Pool each year, mainly, of course, between May and September. The pool is also available for hire to clubs and for parties
Brixham and Torbay
Brixham is a fishing town and civil parish in the district of Torbay in the county of Devon, in the south-west of England. Brixham is at the southern end of Torbay, across the bay (Tor Bay) from Torquay, and fishing and tourism are the major industries of the town. At the time of the 2011 census it had a population of 16,693.
It is thought that the name ‘Brixham’ came from Brioc’s village. ‘Brioc’ was an old English or Brythonic personal name and ‘-ham’ is an ancient term for home derived from Old English.
The town is hilly and built around the harbour which remains in use as a dock for fishing trawlers. It has a focal tourist attraction in the replica of Sir Francis Drake’s ship Golden Hind that is permanently moored there.
Historically, Brixham was two separate communities with only a marshy lane to connect them. Cowtown was the area on top of the hill where the farmers lived, while a mile away around the harbour was Fishtown where the fishermen and seamen lived. Cowtown, the St Mary’s Square area, is on the road leaving Brixham to the south west, in the direction of Kingswear, upon which stands a church built on the site of a Saxon original. The town holds a yearly pirate event which competes for the title of most pirates in one place and this draws visitors from far and wide.
King William III landed in England at Brixham on 5 November 1688 on his way to become king as part of the Glorious Revolution.
Contact Us
Shoalstone Pool, Berry Head Road, Brixham,TQ5 9FT
- 01803 302024
- info@shoalstonepool.com
- Registered Charity 1195879
Further Information
We are always keen to hear your views and feedback. If you have something to tell us please do get in touch. New Volunteers are always welcome. We’re busy maintaining and improving the pool all year round.
