Dozmary Pool Barn on Bodmin Moor

Few places can claim so unusual or romantic a setting. Dozmary, Cornwall's largest freshwater lake, sits in a high remote hollow where valleys from Bodmin Moor run south to the sea. Dozmary is not just of European archaeological importance, but also the subject of myth and legend. Stories tell that the water can rise and fall like the tide, that King Arthur's sword Excalibur was cast into the lake, that cattle cross it dry shod, that treasure lies beneath and that Giant Jan Tregeagle was sentenced to empty it with a limpet shell. Once the site of annual festivals, the last “great revel” was in 1773. More recently artists of the celebrated Newlyn School used to visit every summer to paint and cavort at the Pool which is featured in a number of their works. Dozmary is at the end of a long rebuilt track, you are surrounded by fields and moor and feel miles from anywhere. In the 18th century, ice was cut and stored here for use in Fowey and on the ships that sailed from there; you can still trace the granite ramps.

Extract from: Richard Carew’s Survey of Cornwall 1602

“In the midst of the wild moors of this hundred, far from any dwelling or river, there lieth a great standing water called Dosmery Pool, about a mile or better in compass, fed by no perceived spring, neither having any avoidance, until (of late) certain tinners brought an adit therefrom. The country people held many strange conceits of this pool, as, that it did ebb and flow, that it had a whirlpool in the midst thereof, and that a faggot once thrown thereinto was taken up at Foy haven, six miles distant. Wherefore, to try what truth rested in these reports, some gentleman dwelling not far off, caused a boat and nets to be carried thither overland. Fish they caught none, save a few eels upon hooks: the pool proved nowhere past a fathom and half deep, and for a great way very shallow. Touching the opinion of ebbing and flowing, it should seem to be grounded partly upon the increase which the rain floods brought thereinto from the bordering hills (which perhaps gave also the name, for doz is come, and maur great), and the decrease occasioned by the next drought, and partly for that the winds do drive the waves to and fro upon those sandy banks. And thus the miracle of Dosmery Pool deceased.

Of this wonder he said:: Dosmery Pool amidst the moors
On top stands of a hill;
More than a mile about no streams
It empt, nor any fill.”