9 outdoor swimming venues to cool off this August
Jump on in!
September 8, 2024
Lidos and wild swimming areas are gold mines to find with so many closing down over the years. Here are our top locations for some epic outdoor swimming:
Llyn Gaslyn, Snowdonia
Swim in the lake from Arthurian legend with beautiful natural scenery and crystal-clear waters. This heart-shaped lake in the heart of Snowdonia is a wild swimmers paradise.
Ilkley Pool and Lido, West Yorkshire
Found at the southern end of the Yorkshire Dales, Ilkley Pool and Lido is an unheated, 46m wide, mushroom shaped pool with stunning views over the moorland and plenty of green space for a picnic lunch.
Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye
These pink waterfalls are full of wonderful fairy stories and legends; if you swim beneath the falls, you’ll sprout fairy wings. Once a TikTok sensation, now is the time to visit these magical falls.
Serpentine Lido, London
London’s oldest and most popular lido in the heart of Hyde Park. Open to members all year round, and the public from June – September, this 100-metre stretch of water also hosts a cafe with tables and sun loungers.
Blue Lagoon, Pembrokeshire
A turquoise lagoon off the coast of Wales that looks like it belongs to another world. Take a leap from the jagged rocks surrounding the water, take a leisurely swim around the lagoon, or simply paddle in the shallows on the rugged beaches.
Saltdean Lido, Brighton
Located to the east of Brighton, lies Saltdean Lido, another of the 1930s art deco lidos that appeared around the country. Renovated in 2017, this heated lido is well-loved by the community and has plans to add a cafe and exercise space right on the sea front.
Levenshulme, Manchester
Manchester’s ‘Secret Lake’ hidden in the concrete jungle of Stockport, is an 8-year community project aimed to bring wildlife and wild swimming into the city. Perfect for those unable to hike to more secluded spots.
Jubilee Pool, Cornwall
Head down to Penzance for a dip into the UK’s largest seawater pool with awesome views out over the Cornish coastline. Jubilee Pool uses geothermal technology to heat up to 35C in the colder months, so this one is perfect all year round.
Grantchester Meadows, Cambridge
Surrounded by luscious greenery on the banks of the River Cam, Grantchester Meadows offers a huge 2km worth of river for swimming, jumping, and paddling in. Take up a spot on one of the winding meadows for a picnic lunch, swimming is hungry work!
