Our Origins

The pond was dug by hand around 1810 as a header reserve for HEMPSTEAD MILL.  The mill was suffering from insufficient water despite 4 other smaller ponds having been made between the mill and Selbrigg Pond.

The Tithe map of 1840 shows a pond around 9 acres in size with streams from Bodham and Baconsthorpe entering the pond. Indeed the pond stretched back to 'Selbrigg Road' In Lower Bodham.

The parish boundary between Hempstead and Bodham runs through the pond, presumably along the original line of the streams.

Subsequently to the original pond being dug, a duck decoy was incorporated - a funnel shaped area that was netted as a way of catching ducks. Furthermore, a boat house was subsequently built mid-way along the Northern bank, little now remains.