Silent Pool

Infobox lake
lake_name = Silent Pool
image_lake = silent pool.jpg
caption_lake =
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location = Surrey
coords = coord|51|13|35.5|N|0|28|57.3|W|type:waterbody_region:GB_scale:5000|display=inline,title
type =
inflow = "spring"
outflow =
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basin_countries = United Kingdom
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The Silent Pool refers to a lake fed by a spring on the south side of the North Downs Way [ [http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/northdowns/gallery_image.asp?PageId=21&ImageId=62 National Trail] ] on the Hog's Back near Albury, Surrey. In the area there are two lakes. The Silent Pool is the higher one; the lower lake is called Sherbourne Pond [ [http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=11250 Megalithic article] retrieved 23/5/07] which was created 1662. The Silent Pool, however, is of a much earlier origin and is considered by some to be a sacred site. It is linked to a folklore tale that says 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.

The lake was admired by the poet Alfred Tennyson. In the summer of 2006, due to the drought, the pool was empty of water.Fact|date=May 2008

Geology

The Silent Pool is so called because of its clear still waters and feeling of tranquillity that pervade the area. The clear water comes from a spring after it has passed through the chalk hillside which filters it and adds minerals. This explains why the water has a blue-green colour. The Silent Pool lies on Lower Chalk, which was seen at the northern end of the pond. Sherbourne Pond, lies mainly on Gault Clay, while its northern end and the stream connecting the two ponds lies on Upper Greensand. Blocks of the Upper Greensand can be found in the stream bed: a pale grey siltstone which weathers to brown and is harder than the chalk. [ [http://www.lougs.org.uk/october.htm Albury Downs geology trail] retrieved 23/5/07]

A survey of the Silent Pool in 2006 suggested that the southern half of Silent Pool was in fact dug out at the same time as Sherbourne Pond (1662), while the northern half is of geological origin. It appears that this natural half of the pond was made deeper and lined with clay when the southern half (lined with clay and heather) was added. [ [http://www.surreywildlifetrust.co.uk/Default.asp?mainmenu=News&EntityID=%7B4392BCEF-5527-4EE3-B9BA-A10592B6BD81%7D Surrey Wildlife Trust] ]

Access

The pool has been a popular site to visit since Victorian times. It has a car park and a viewing platform. A walkway encircles the pool. [ [http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/sccwebsite/sccwspages.nsf/LookupWebPagesByTITLE_RTF/Silent+Pool+and+Sherbourne+Pond?opendocument Surrey County Council] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.albury.org.uk/localwalks/walk4.htm Photograph]