Loe Pool is the largest freshwater pool in Cornwall. Loe Bar is a large sand bar separating the sea from the pool. The sea once went up to the town of Helston via the river Cober, but was cut off by the sand after a stormy upheaval or tidal sweep. It is believed that the river was cut off from the sea in the 13th Century. The river was once a very rich tin stream. Before Loe Bar was formed, merchant ships were a common sight at the bottom of the town.
'Loe' means pool in Cornish, so 'The Loe' is a more accurate name for Loe Pool. The Pool is 7-8 miles in circumference and is a very popular walking spot. Many people have a feeling of spookiness around certain parts of the lake and this may have something to do with the legends of it.
It is said that every seven years the Pool must claim a life, and several lives have been lost in the area of the lake, bar and sea (the sea has quite a nasty pull to it, and the sand falls sharply down a shelf not far from the water's edge).
Legend also says that The Loe may have been the scene of the infamous 'Lady in the Lake' from Arthurian legend.
Yet another legend says that a giant named Tregeagle was doomed to carry the sand from one cove to another - the sea would then promptly return it to where it came from! During one of the journeys between coves, Tregeagle dropped a bag of sand at the entrance to Helston's harbour and Loe Bar was formed!
It is a beautiful spot and a very popular place with both locals and visitors. During the summer months, especially, the area is full of people walking or cycling. The Penrose Walks run from the bottom of Helston all the way through to Porthleven via Loe Bar. The walk passes along the edge of the pool and through two gatehouses (one at either end), where it passes through the manor and grounds. It is rife with wildlife and there is a spot by the pool with a bird hut, so that people can stop and identify some of the birds inhabiting the lake area.
On a darker note, many ships have been wrecked in this area due to the rough coastline and unpredictable sea (see Cornish Shipwrecks).
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