Britain’s Best Outdoor Swimming Pools

Dive in – it’s warmer than you’d think.

Outdoor swimming? In Britain? What sadist would contemplate such a thing?

Believe it or not, the UK has an abundance of open air pools – and in summertime they're every bit as popular as their Continental counterparts. Forget waiting for the mercury to rise: sometimes you just need to breathe deeply and plunge in.

1. Nantwich Swimming Pool, Cheshire

Facebook / Via Facebook: NantwichPool

As a former Roman salt town, it should come as no surprise that Nantwich’s outdoor pool contains brine. The salinated water increases buoyancy, making it Cheshire’s very own Dead Sea.

2. Brockwell Lido, Brixton (London)

David Sim / Via Flickr: victoriapeckham

Since reopening in 1994, Brixton’s outdoor pool has attracted early morning swimmers, frolicking families and the occasional brace of ducklings.

3. Hampstead Heath Ponds, London

Vari D / Via flic.kr

What’s the difference between a pond and a pool? Precious little at Hampstead Heath, whose Ladies’ and Men’s Ponds are the only lifeguarded open air pools that are open year-round.

4. Lansbury’s Lido, Serpentine (London)

Noah Katz / Via Flickr: maugiart

Swimmers have been splashing in the Serpentine for a century – in fact the aquatic leg of the 2012 Olympic triathlon was held here. If you can’t stand the summer crowds, try taking a midnight dip (but resist the urge to make it a skinny one).

5. Jesus Green Pool, Cambridge

Via en.wikipedia.org

In the 1920s and 30s, lidos sprung up in towns across Britain. One of the few surviving examples, Jesus Green is notable for its generous length and slender width, designed to mimic river swimming.

6. Stonehaven Open Air Pool, Aberdeenshire

Jane McDevitt / Via Flickr: maraid

You’d expect the UK’s northernmost lido to be an icy bath, but Stonehaven is heated to a toasty 29ºC. Midnight sessions allow you to swim beneath the stars, while daytime occasionally affords the prospect of swimming beneath the sun. Madness.

7. Chagford Swimming Pool, Devon

sue_suth1 / Via flic.kr

While Stonehaven is fed by the sea, Chagford draws its water from a river. The pool is closed in the mornings while its solar covers soak up the sun, before welcoming the public as the water hits a balmy 25ºC.

8. Letchworth Outdoor Pool, Hertfordshire

Vincent / Via Flickr: 57119084@N02

Letchworth’s 50m lido can be hired for the mother of all pool parties. The question is: do you have enough mates to fill it?

9. Sandford Parks Lido, Cheltenham

Via en.wikipedia.org

Award-winning restoration, art deco pool, free table tennis, packed lunches, separate kids’ and paddling pools, water slides, play park, gardens. Need any more reasons to visit?

10. Tinside Lido, Plymouth

Robert Pittman / Via flic.kr

Tinside has been voted one of Europe’s ten best outdoor pools and basically kicks ass. Watch out for its water fountain that will blast anyone who strays too close.

11. Hinksey Heated Outdoor Pool, Oxford

M Nottage / Via Flickr: m1keez

Lap swimmers; kids; pensioners; lap-swimming pensioners with kids – they’re all welcome at Hinksey, which stays open till late September.

12. Hathersage Swimming Pool, Derbyshire

Via hathersageswimmingpool.co.uk

Hathersage Pool came about thanks to the munificence of a razor blade manufacturer, George Herbert Lawrence, who was to die in a German air raid in 1940. Next time you take a dip, spare a thought for generous George who made it all possible.

13. Havre de Pas Bathing Pool, Jersey

Lettuce. / Via flic.kr

Havre de Pas is open all the year round – including Christmas Day, when you can take the plunge with 100 intrepid souls. “The cold never bothered me anyway.” Repeat the mantra until you’ve mustered the courage to dive in. There, that wasn’t so bad, was it?

14. London Fields Lido, Hackney

mermaid / Via flic.kr

This 50m heated pool is open year-round, but you’ll have the place all to yourself when it’s snowing. Funny, that.

15. Tooting Bec Lido, London

Rolyatam / Via flic.kr

This South London pool is as famed for its bright bathing huts as it is for its 90m of blue water. Don’t feel ashamed if you have to stop for a breather mid-length.

16. Oasis Sports Centre, Soho (London)

RachelStalbowTaylor / Via flic.kr

This tiny rooftop pool is rammed on summer days. When swimming becomes impossible, head to the sunbathing terrace and sup a smoothie while you watch the carnage unfold.

17. Portishead Open Air Pool, Bristol

Jon Tan / Via Flickr: jontangerine

Bristol’s open air pool is heated by green energy (of course!) and volunteer run. It can also lay claim to having the UK’s cheapest tuck shop – where else can you buy a tea or coffee for 60p?

18. Gourock Outdoor Swimming Pool, Inverclyde

Oliver Merrington / Via flic.kr

With fine views of the Clyde Estuary and great family facilities, there’s little to fault with this salt water pool near Glasgow. Unless you want to complain about the absence of sunshine, but why would you do such a thing? This is Scotland. Deal with it.

Written by Kai Sedgwick, a travel writer for HomeAway.co.uk.