MORE than 10,000 people flocked to a “magical” Dorset beauty spot to enjoy an event that aimed to spread joy over the dark, winter months.
The Blue Pool at Wareham staged its first ever Illuminate event on selected dates in January and February and had an “extremely positive” reaction from visitors.
The Blue Pool’s managing director Matthew Elliott Jones said the event had been “very well received” and it had been “lovely to have something to brighten up those winter evenings”.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Dorset's Blue Pool - and what makes it special
The attraction teamed up with OT Event Technicians to create the nighttime spectacle.
As previously reported by the Daily Echo, it was the first time in The Blue Pool's near 100-year history the attraction opened for evening illuminations.
Visitors were able to enjoy 1km of professionally staged illuminations, lighting the meandering woodland trails.
Guests were able to glimpse of the pool and the ancient woodland while stopping at carefully selected positions along the way.
Illuminate proved so popular with visitors; Mr Jones said the event is set to make a return next winter.
He said: “We certainly plan to run the event again in the new year, January/February. We have lots planned and hope to do it even better.”
“We will have various events running throughout the year - next up Easter, watch this space.”
Mr Jones said Illuminate had a positive impact on bringing former visitors back to the attraction.
He said: “It has brought back many visitors who had not been for a while, renewing their love for this magical place.”
The nature reserve and tearooms form part of privately-owned Furzebrook Estate which traces its history back nearly 400 years.
In 1985, the site was declared a site of special scientific interest.
The main attraction at the beauty spot is the pool which is a former clay-pit, dug by hand and abandoned in the early 19th Century, which subsequently filled with rainwater.
The pool's waters can appear green or turquoise due to suspension of clay particles.
The colour phenomenon is caused by light diffracting from minuscule particles of clay suspended in the water.
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