A HISTORIC swimming pond on the Antony Estate could be brought back to life under plans to restore the site and open up new opportunities for the local community to enjoy nature.

The Bath House pond is at the centre of a new partnership between the Carew Pole Garden Trust, Torpoint Artists Collective CIC (TAC) and Rooted Futures, which is taking the first steps towards restoring the historic site.

The project aims to create a welcoming space where local residents and visitors can connect with nature, explore the surrounding landscape and potentially return to the water for open-water swimming.

Specialists from the Carew Pole Garden Trust have begun investigating how the pond can be cleared, assessing tree maintenance requirements and examining the tidal inlet and the movement of water through the site.

The early work will help determine what is needed to restore the pond while protecting its wildlife and historic surroundings.

However, any return to swimming will depend on the restoration work and assessments of water quality, safety and environmental conditions.

Each partner will play a different role in shaping the project, with the Carew Pole Garden Trust leading the physical restoration using its knowledge of the estate and gardens.

Torpoint Artists Collective will focus on creative learning and community involvement, while Rooted Futures will coordinate the partnership and assess its impact on people, wildlife and wellbeing.

The project will also give local people opportunities to help shape the future of the pond through workshops, volunteering and creative activities.

TAC is developing an artist-led programme featuring wildlife recording, photography, storytelling and nature journalling, encouraging people of different ages to discover the site and share their knowledge.

Its gallery in Fore Street, Torpoint, will become a town-centre hub for updates, community discussions and creative events linked to the restoration.

Workshops, volunteering opportunities and an exhibition are also planned to bring the story of the pond to a wider audience.

The partners hope the project will deliver benefits beyond restoring the physical site, helping people develop a stronger connection with the natural environment.

Rooted Futures will gather feedback from participants, explore the project's impact on wellbeing and develop biodiversity monitoring to track changes in the wildlife and habitats.

The findings will help guide future management of the pond and build a clearer picture of how the site can support both environmental improvements and community wellbeing.

Local open-water swimmers, nature enthusiasts and anyone interested in the future of the pond are being encouraged to get involved.

A Friends of the Pond group is being developed to bring together local knowledge, practical skills and ideas for the site's long-term care and use.

Anyone interested in joining the group, volunteering or taking part in future workshops can contact Antony Woodland Garden by email.

The partnership is at an early stage, with further updates and opportunities for public involvement expected as the restoration plans develop.

While there is no confirmed timetable for swimming to resume, the project represents the first steps towards giving the historic Bath House pond a new role as a community resource for Torpoint and the surrounding area.