What are the Avrack Pools?
Built by the miners of the Geevor Tin Mine in the 1930’s, the Avarack Pools were a series of swimming pools cut into a rocky headland below the cliffs at Pendeen known as The Avarack.
With steps and railings down from the clifftop, these tidal pools were popular with the local children as a safe place to learn to swim and dive, away from the crashing Atlantic Swell.
The Pools were also the venue for annual swimming galas and several old newspaper reports similar to the one above confirm they were an important asset for the local community.
“The annual sports of the above club were held at the Avarack Swimming Pool on Saturday in glorious weather. Competition was very keen and the numerous spectators on the natural balconies around the excellent tidal pool that has been formed by the hewing of rocks out of Avarack Headland by voluntary labour aided by subscriptions had a thoroughly enjoyable and exciting afternoon’s sport.
The Cornishman: 24 August 1939
Capt. George Hitchens creditably performed the duties of official announcer and, in the interval, acted as King Neptune and, in an impressive ceremony, initiated a number of candidates to the rules and customs of the club and its members. It is encouraging to report that all the candidates faced the ordeal with great fortitude and after overcoming the test, which involved the shaving and sudden immersion of each candidate, they were declared publicly faithful members of Avarack Club.”
Sadly, today the pools have fallen into disrepair. The railings have gone, the concrete steps are crumbling and the main pool no longer holds water.
However, get the tide timings right and the plunge pool pictured below and a couple of the smaller pools make a nostalgic wild swimming spot with the dramatic backdrops of Geevor mine and a distant view of Pendeen Lighthouse.
How do you get to the Avarack Pools?
The Avarack Pools can be reached from the coast path below Geevor, midway between Pendeen Lighthouse in the east and Levant Mine in the west, with free parking available at either.
From the coast path, The Avarack rocks are clearly visible and there is a smaller track leading down to the old steps. From the bottom of the steps the main pool is straight ahead and is clearly visible, the other smaller pools can be found with a bit of hunting.
When is the best time to visit the Avarack Pools?
The main pool doesn’t hold water any longer, so it’s difficult to time a swim here but several of the small pools are accessible for an hour or two on either side of low tide.
Are the Avarack Pools dog friendly?
Yes, there are no restrictions for dogs and the climb down from the coast path is relatively easy for dogs.
Are the Avarack Pools suitable for small children?
It’s a long walk from the nearest car park and there is no easy access for buggies so we don’t recommend this pool for smaller children.
What else is there to do near the Avarack Pools?
Our other nearby recommendations are:
- Boat Cove Mermaid Pool
- Pullandase Pool
- Crown Mines at Botallack
- The Children’s Pool at Cape Cornwall
- Godrevy Mine
- Levant Mine and Beam Engine
- Pendeen Lighthouse
1 thought on “The Avarack Pools”
Good morning, could you tell me why the main pool doesn’t hold water any more? The Averack pools were introduced to my family back in the 50s by a local boy who became my brothers friend as we visited year after year from “ up country “ and stayed in Carnyorth just down the road from here. He and my brother swam in there and fished off rocks nearThe Crowns at Botallack. You also have Pendeen lighthouse , Geevor tin mine, the town of St Just , all in this area and of course not forgetting the famous Lands End just down the road .The area around here is stunning and full of history and some of the best beaches in the country . If you look hard enough you could find a hidden cove all for yourself . I would recommend anyone new to the area to pay this part of Cornwall a visit. Once you’ve been here you
will be addicted just as my family were, and still are all these years later .