Swanpool is a small lake behind a shingle bar, separating it from the beach of the same name, near Falmouth, on the south coast of Cornwall, UK. It is between Maenporth and Gyllyngvase, on the South West Coast Path. There was formerly a mine extending beneath the lagoon.[1].
It is approximately one mile from the town centre, and is perhaps the quietest district of Falmouth. The area is largely occupied by tourist accommodation. A notable building in the area is Swanpool House, a 19th century building which was occupied by American forces during the Second World War but is now in use as holiday apartments.
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The pool is a Nature Reserve,[2] and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[3][4] It is of scientific importance as it is one of the few locations that has the perfect salinity for the growth of the trembling sea mat (Victorella pavida), a bryozoan[5]. Some other species of fauna and flora at Swanpool are:
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The swan family sometimes enjoy an outing on the sea, when the surf is low.
There is also a small Cornwall Wildlife Trust nature reserve called Swanvale which runs from the northern end of Swanpool lake towards the town. It comprises mostly willow carr, which provides shelter for many small birds and mammals.
Swanpool Beach is a useful training ground for surfers, with a beach café, the Indaba on the Beach Restaurant (formerly the Three Mackerels Restaurant), car-parking (charged in Summer), a public lavatory and crazy golf. Dogs are banned on the beach from Easter Day to October 1.