Place Name

Lizard Pool, Cornwall, England

Where the Lizards Lounge and the Puddles Ponder

Introduction

Ah now, Lizard Pool. Say it out loud and you can almost hear a Cornish local mutter, “yer, it’s just a pool, not a reptile spa.” It is one of those names that sounds like a wildlife documentary waiting to happen, until you realise it’s just a perfectly normal coastal hollow with a perfectly whimsical name.

Folk hear it and imagine lizards sipping cocktails, amphibians in deckchairs or a tiny reptile resort with a strict towel policy.

Whatever the truth, the name has been sparkin curiosity for generations, watchin visitors grin at the map, locals grin knowingly and the occasional hiker wonder if they should bring a magnifying glass.

Toponymy

Let’s break down this name:

Lizard – Could be from Old French lesard, Latin lacerta, or simply the fact that Cornwall is warm enough for reptiles to thrive. Or maybe someone just liked the word.

Pool – A dip, a hollow, a puddle, a pond, a place where water gathers and names get stranger.

Together, they form a name that makes visitors pause before sayin it aloud, then laugh because it sounds like a reptile holiday destination.

Historical Context

The name Lizard Pool appears in local references tied to the coastal features around Dodman Point. Some say it was named after a pool where lizards gathered to warm themselves. Others reckon it was a fisherman’s joke that stuck harder than seaweed on a boot.

And if you ask an old lad in Gorran, he’ll tell you it was named after a dragon who shrank itself to fit in the pool after a long day terrorisin villages.

Whatever the truth, Lizard Pool has survived storms, storytellers, walkers, folklore, misheard tales and generations of Cornish folk who know exactly how to embrace a name with reptilian charm.

Points of Interest

If you are wanderin about, have a nose at:

• Cadgwith Cove – Boats, cliffs and proper fishing village charm.

• Church Cove – Sand, surf and sunbathing spots.

• Lizard Lighthouse – History, height and cracking views.

• Goonhilly Downs – Satellite dishes, science and windswept walks.

• The Lizard Heritage Coast – Clifftops, wildlife and geological wonders.

Notable Figures

Folk tied to Cornwall include:

• Sir John Betjeman – Poet with a love for Cornish quirks.

• King Arthur – Legendary wanderer of these lands.

• Richard Trevithick – Steam pioneer and Cornish genius.

• Rosamunde Pilcher – Author who captured Cornish romance.

• J. K. Rowling – Visitor inspired by coastal magic.

Conclusion

So next time you find yourself wanderin around Lizard Pool, take a moment to breathe in the sea air, admire the coastal curves and enjoy the glorious absurdity of a place that sounds like a reptile spa but feels like a peaceful Cornish hideaway.

And for more chuckle and buckle strange place names, dance on over to www.strangeplacenames.com where the UK and Ireland are champions of whimsical nomenclature.

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