Best for outdoor swimming
From lidos to lakes, we know all the top spots for an outdoor swim.
Outdoor swimming is invigorating, joyful, and good for your health. Though the water can be a bit, erm, refreshing, there's nothing like feeling the sun on your face as you float in the water on a hot day.
Whether it’s a dip in an outdoor pool, wild swimming, or a fun scramble across a floating obstacle course, here’s our pick of the best places to make a splash.
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1
Hampton Pool
- Open: Year-round
- Cost: from £8.75 (adults), £6 (children aged 3-11)
Situated next to Bushy Park, Hampton Pool offers 365 days of outdoor swimming. And the best part is, it's heated year-round!
The water is kept at a steady 28 degrees, summer and winter; you can even have a swim on Christmas Day!
The main pool is 36 metres long and is split in half at all times to allow for lane swimming on one side and family swimming and fun on the other side.
The shallow learner pool is ideal for younger children and their parents and there’s also a large grassed area, perfect for lazing in the sun between swims.
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2
Pools on the Park
- Open: April to end of September - every day, October to early April - weekends only
- Cost: £6 (adults), £4.70 (children)
This 33-metre pool has six lanes and is surrounded by a large grassy area, perfect for relaxing and sunbathing.
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3
Guildford Lido
Stoke Rd, Guildford, GU1 1HB- Open: End of April to mid-September - every day, end of September to early April - weekends only
- Cost: £8.50 (adults- £7 off-peak), £6.90 (children- £5.20 off-peak)
An original 1930s outdoor pool, Guildford Lido is set in four acres of landscaped gardens.
Heated to a temperature of 24 degrees, the 50-metre pool is open throughout the summer season.
The Lido opens early for morning lane sessions, followed by general swimming during the day. On certain days during the week and at weekends, the pool is opening for evening lane swimming.
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4
Tooting Bec Lido
- Open: From the beginning of May to end of September (open to South London Swimming Club members year round)
- Cost: £8.30 (adults), £5.20 (children, seniors, students)
Tooting Bec Lido first opened in 1906 and is one of Britain’s oldest lidos. Amazingly, it remains beloved even today!
Originally known as Tooting Bathing Lake, it became a ‘lido’ in the thirties when the café and fountain were added.
Its continuing popularity is probably due to all it has to offer. As well as the 91.5 metre Art Deco pool, there’s also a children’s paddling pool, sunbathing area and a café.
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5
Brockwell Lido
- Open: All year round with hours varying according to the season
- Cost: £8 (adults), £5 (children)
With an Olympic size 50m pool surrounded by a superb Grade II listed Art Deco building, Brockwell Lido is a jewel in the corner of Brockwell Park.
There’s also space to relax by the pool and a café for post-swimming snacks.
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6
Serpentine Lido
Open: Weekends and bank holidays in May and every day in June, July and August
Cost: Full day: £7.40 (adults), £3.50 (children 3-15) Half-day: £5.80 (adult) £2.50 (child)
This glorious lido in the heart of Hyde Park is easily one of London's most iconic outdoor swimming spots.
The Serpentine Swimming Club is the oldest swimming club in the UK. Members swim year round in the lido, including, famously, during the race on Christmas Day.
Swimming takes place in a 30m x 100 m area of the Serpentine, a royal pond surrounded by beautifully refined landscaping. And with a café nearby, you can dry off with a hot chocolate or a lovely glass of wine.
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7
Shepperton Open Water Swim
- Open: May to September
- Cost: £6 standard entry
Family-owned and entirely dedicated to swimming, Shepperton Open Water lets you take a dip in a pristine lake.
All levels of swimmers are welcome, from infants to experts. As safety is a priority, new swimmers must undergo a short induction procedure before being allowed onto the courses.
Make sure you book to avoid disappointment!
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8
The Surrey Hills Adventure Company Lagoon
Swimming Centre, Buckland Park, Lake Park, Lake Drive, Redhill, Betchworth, Surrey, RH3 7FE- Open: Three days a week from April to October (Sunday 0800 - 0900; Tuesday 1830 - 2000 & Friday 1800 - 2000)
- Cost: £10 standard entry
For a day of cool summer fun, head over to Surrey Hills for a swim in an enticing lagoon. The water is crystal clear and just 3 m deep at its deepest point, making it perfect for young swimmers.
The open water course is a 400 m loop and is ideal for both experts and beginners. A full training programme is also available for swimmers of all levels.
Again, the Surrey Hills Adventure Company is very focused on safety. The course is no further than 10-15 m away from the edge at any point, and is patrolled by RLSS Open Water qualified lifeguards.
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9
Liquid Leisure Surrey
- Open: April to mid-October
- Cost: from £18
Adults and children alike will enjoy clambering across this fantastic 400 square foot floating obstacle course!
Settled on a beautiful private freshwater lake next to Ash Link Nature Reserve, Liquid Leisure is an amazing day out for the entire family.
The Aqua Park combines a variety of challenging elements and exhilarating obstacles including slippery walkways, slides, balance beams, stepping stones, trampoline, climbing wall and swings. For ages 6 and over.
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10
Thorpe Lakes
- Open: May to September
- Cost: from £20, aqua tots (under 6yrs) from £9
Already one of the wildest days out in Surrey, this thrilling floating obstacle course has recently doubled in size.
Thorpe Lakes is ideal for families and kids, with regular under 13 and under 18 sessions running through the day. Guardians can take part in these sessions on a one adult per child ratio.
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