Two local attractions have teamed up to present their history in a more engaging way.

The Blue Pool Nature Reserve and Tearooms near Furzebrook has partnered with the Purbeck Mining Museum, to produce a series of interpretation boards for visitors, explaining the history of the site over the past two and a half centuries.

Matthew Jones, owner of The Blue Pool and The Furzebrook Estate, said: “The gorgeous lake we see today is in fact an abandoned and flooded former clay pit.

“The distinctive and ever-changing turquoise hues of the lake are the result of light diffraction caused by miniscule clay particles suspended in the water.

“We are creating more and more ways for our visitors to be inspired and to engage with the beautiful walkways and landscape surrounding the lake all year round, but it is also important to provide insight into the history of the area. 

“With the help and knowledge of the team at The Purbeck Mining Museum at Norden, our new interpretation boards for visitors do just that.”

Peter Sills, chairman of the Purbeck Mining Museum, said: “The Blue Pool is a prominent and exceptional legacy from the earlier extraction of ball clay in the area.

 “Many of the former clay pits and spoil heaps have rewilded over the past few centuries and the lunar-like landscape of the industrial past has now disappeared and matured into rolling heathland that is a haven for wildlife. 

"The Blue Pool Nature Reserve is most certainly the jewel in the crown. 

"That’s why we were so pleased to contribute to the attraction’s new timeline interpretation boards. Given our shared interest in the local mining industry, I feel sure this will be the start of a very close working relationship between the two venues.”