Description
Broad Pool lies in a shallow basin on the limestone plateau beneath Cefn Bryn. It is one of the most conspicuous and best-known features of central Gower. The pool is known to have been in existence in 1645. Its origin appears to have been natural, although there is evidence that the pool was modified by scouring (removal of sediment and vegetation) from the late Eighteenth century.

The Pool contains a rich assemblage of aquatic plants, including Lesser Marshwort and Alternate Water-milfoil, both rare in South Wales. Fringed Water lily is present and has dominated the aquatic vegetation in the past. This attractive and uncommon plant is only native in a small area of southeast England and was introduced to Broad Pool in around 1952.

The Pool is visited by a wide range of waterfowl and wetland birds, including Grey Heron, Little Grebe, with passage migrants such as Ruff and Spotted Redshank. It is locally important breeding site for amphibians and supports a rich aquatic invertebrate fauna, including fourteen species of dragonflies and damselflies.

The adjacent area of Bog and moor is dominated by heath plants such as Cross-leaved Heath and Heather with Purple Moor-grass, Rushes, Bog Myrtle and Round-leaved Sundew in the wetter areas. The heathland and area around Broad Pool is also of ornithological importance with nesting Snipe and Lapwing in summer and Hen Harrier, Merlin and Short-eared Owl regularly recorded in winter months.