The Secret Pool

In the car we established dogs have tails and hair. As do monkeys. POD extended her counting skills to include eleven although she thinks she has “three or four” legs. Having said “hello” and “goodbye” to almost every car that passed us, all blue allegedly, we witnessed two horses galloping across a nearby field. Weirdly reminiscent of ‘Champion the Wonder Horse’ I thought.

Our destination was a spring-fed lake in the North Downs, located a few miles from Guildford in Surrey. A more adventurous trip had been planned the day prior but I’d failed to check opening times. A sign with the words ‘Come back in May’ had greeted us when we arrived.

The Secret Pool, known as Silent Pool, is managed, together with the nearby Newlands Corner, by the Surrey Wildlife Trust. It’s located within the privately owned Albury Estate and runs into Sherbourne Pond, an adjacent lake created in the mid-seventeenth century.

I’d seen a photograph of the pool and there was something intriguing about it. Not least because it’s considered to be a sacred site and steeped in history. It’s linked to a folklore tale that states King John, on his horse, abducted a woodcutter’s daughter who was forced into the deep water and drowned. According to the legend, the maiden can be seen at midnight.

Not only that, it was initially feared that Agatha Christie drowned in the pool in 1926 after her car was discovered at nearby Newlands Corner. She never revealed the truth about her 11 day disappearance.

The Silent Pool car park was on the A25 so we almost missed it. Expectations were high but with a lack of recent rainfall, I really had no idea what we would see. Or whether it was suitable terrain for a toddler in a buggy and a Mummy with a particularly dodgy arm. It could just be a few trees and a muddy bog.

But it wasn’t. Having walked through a wooded area and passed a vineyard, closed sadly, we spotted a lake. It wasn’t particularly stunning but you could see up ahead there was an open area and a second lake that even from a distance looked mysterious yet inviting. Gut instinct is a funny thing.

The Silent Pool was utterly breathtaking. A little eerie yes but spectacular all the same. Crystal clear water was surrounded by woodland and footpaths entangled with ivy. There was a viewing platform and a walkway encircled the pool. Reminiscent of an unspoiled secret garden, it was silent and beautiful. The only noise coming from a nearby waterfall to our right.

The purpose of visiting the Silent Pool was to tire POD out so she had a nap in advance of a swimming class. We’d enjoyed two hugely successful terms and had a few month’s break (literally – I broke my wrist). Having recently returned, POD finds swimming pools utterly terrifying. I failed in giving her the run around she needed at the Silent Pool in preference for her safety. Too much water for an overly enthusiastic toddler.

The path around the Silent Pool seemed wide enough for our 4×4 buggy so we set off with gusto to have a look. Marveling at a solitary duck, it quickly became apparent our wander would be short lived.

The path decreased in size and before us was an old wooden footbridge bridge that although sturdy and fabulous to look at, really wasn’t buggy terrain. Least of all my one armed buggy ambling. I didn’t fancy losing POD, or the sacred Mulberry I’d unintentionally brought with me.

Back at the main clearing, POD was let loose and able to explore the lake and admire some amazing tree roots. She was absolutely fascinated with a small waterfall and some nearby steps. We then enjoyed a walk together back to the car, meeting a couple of excitable dogs along the way.

There is something truly captivating about the Silent Pool. Perhaps it’s the secrecy that surrounds it. Or it’s tranquilly. The feeling of utter peace was broken by the journey home which consisted of cow spotting and shouting “hip hip hooray” over and over again. The Silent Pool can be found in Shere Road, Albury, Guildford GU5 9BW.

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