TV adventurer Steve Backshall wants you to save Mousehole rockpool

Steve Backshall, his wife Helen Glover and their children enjoying the Mousehole Rock Pool a few years ago. Steve and Helen have now become the patrons of the Friends of Mousehole Rock Pool
Steve Backshall, his wife Helen Glover and their children enjoying the Mousehole Rock Pool a few years ago. Steve and Helen have now become the patrons of the Friends of Mousehole Rock Pool -Credit:Chris Yacoubian


TV adventurer Steve Backshall may have travelled around the world, looking at the wonders of the natural world, wrestling giant crocodiles or teasing spiders the size of bedside tables from their jungle lairs, but his favourite place in the world is none other than one tiny Cornish seaside rock pool.

The naturalist, explorer, presenter and writer, best known for BBC TV's Deadly 60, has revealed how much of a fan he is of the Mousehole Rock Pool.

In a video released to his social media followers, the 50-year-old who is married to Penzance Olympic rowing champion Helen Glover, said the tiny sea water pool is where the couple's three children have learned to swim and looked for sea critters and why it is so important to save it for future generations.

Read next: Famous Mousehole Rock Pool is being restored to its former glory

Read next: 15 wild swimming spots to visit in Cornwall and add to your summer bucketlist

In a video released on the Friends of Mousehole Rock Pool's Facebook page, Steve said: "I'm standing right now in front of one of my favourite and most important places to me in the whole world - Mousehole Rock Pool. I'm so proud to say that myself and my wife Helen Glover are going to be the ambassadors of this magnificent place.

"It's been hugely important to my family. My kids have learned to swim here. We go looking for crabs, anemones and all sorts of cool things here and I hope that you have the same opportunity as this place rocks, quite literally."

Mousehole Rock Pool has been a feature in the west Cornwall seaside village for thousands of locals and visitors for decades. Many of the children from the village near Newlyn have learnt to swim there and many more holidaymakers have enjoyed rock pooling behind the safety of the concrete walls.

Join CornwallLive on WhatsApp and be first to hear what's happening near you - Cornwall Live

Work has been underway to repair the pool so it no longer leaks and can be enjoyed by people of all ages for generations to come. This February, 100 people came together to empty the pool and give it a clean after a tough winter and now the final phase to return the well-loved tidal paddling pool to its former glory got underway.

Chris Yacoubian, from the Friends of Mousehole Rock Pool, said: "Steve Backshall and Helen Glover being Mousehole Rock Pools ambassadors and patrons is hugely rewarding for us and we couldn’t be happier that they have enthusiastically joined us.

"They have been friends of mine for a while now and over the years I’ve seen just how connected they are to the pool and to all of the benefits such a wild and natural space gives its users.

"Steve, Helen and their family have a special affinity with the Mousehole Rock Pool and have created memories as a family to last a lifetime. I really believe they want to help others create their own special family memories at the pool and they can see just how wonderfully it connects and draws a community together.

TV adventurer Steve Backshall and his wife Helen Glover are the new patrons of the Friends of Mousehole Rock Pool
TV adventurer Steve Backshall and his wife Helen Glover are the new patrons of the Friends of Mousehole Rock Pool -Credit:Chris Yacoubian

"Steve’s unwavering passion for all things wild and the inspiration that he is to young and old nature lovers alike, will undoubtedly ignite all pool users into exploring its rich ecosystem to learn new things about our marine environment and therefore learn how to protect and preserve that special place for generations to come.

"Helen’s phenomenal drive and unstoppable ability to achieve, combined with being a caring and dedicated mum, are an inspiration for all. Together they are a testament to how beneficial outdoor living and wild swimming as an individual, a family and community can be. We are so thrilled and so proud that they are an integral part of our growing Mousehole Rock Pool Community."

Last year the tiny sea pool was featured in one of the most influential design and architecture magazines in the world for 'encapsulating the social significance of tidal pools within society'. Mousehole Rock Pool was one of the six sea pools worldwide to be chosen by architect Chris Romer-Lee in a feature in Dezeen, a leading architecture, interiors and design magazine.

The Friends launched a successful GoFundMe fundraising campaign for £7,000 to replace the broken paths with some of the extra money raised also helping to make the walls of the pool even more watertight.