Five Places to Swim Outdoors in Yorkshire
Here's where to head for your next dip
Pool Bridge Farm
This wildlife haven just 10 minutes from York city centre has not one but four lakes for wild swimmers, and each is unique. Swim amongst the flowering lilies in The Monet Lake, keen swimmers can take on a 300-metre circuit in The Horseshoe Lake, and you can pre-book a relaxing session in a wood-fired sauna after a swim in The M Lake. In summer, children are welcome to swim in the seven-acre family lake.
Wheldrake Lane, Crockey Hill, York YO19 4SQ
07928 359420
poolbridge.co.uk
Swinton Country Club
Whilst Swinton Country Club has a popular bio-filtered pool for swimming outdoors, wild swimmers will want to head to the woodland lake in the hotel’s grounds with its purpose-built swimming platform. Swimmers must be aged 12 or over, and under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Masham, Ripon HG4 4JH
01765 680950
swintonestate.com
North Yorkshire Water Park
North Yorkshire Water Park just outside Scarborough is home to one of the largest natural watersport lakes in North Yorkshire and keen swimmers can take on an open-water swim around the 250-metre circuit. The lake temperature averages at 17 degrees and children are welcome, with lifeguards always on standby for pre-booked sessions.
Long Causeway Road, Wykeham, Scarborough YO13 9RA
northyorkshirewaterpark.co.uk
Blue Lagoon
Not quite the temperature of the Icelandic one, Yorkshire’s Blue Lagoon is spring fed from the surrounding limestone, which acts like a filter. Book in advance for swim sessions throughout summer. A number of workshops are also run here for those new to triathlon training, for example, but anyone is free to give open-water swimming a go.
Northfield Lane, Womersley DN6 9BB
0113 328 1239
bluelagooners.com
Yorkshire Spa Retreat
The wild swim pond is the heart of Yorkshire Spa Retreat and the rest of this sun-trap outdoor spa has been built around it. A swim in the crystal-clear waters here is all about reconnecting with nature, and the unique wild swim experience is great for detoxing and stimulating white blood cells.
Gale Lane, Nawton, York YO62 7SD
01439 413102
yorkshire-spa-retreat.co.uk
This summer especially there have been a large number of deaths in the water, so no matter how experienced you are, any body of water, big or small, needs to be respected. Always wear appropriate clothing, always stay alert and when getting into open water watch out for cold water shock, underwater currents and hidden hazards such as rocks.
Open natural waters are deceptively deep and cold, even in summer, which can cause sudden gasping or panic, and reservoir edges are often unstable and carry strong undertows from submerged pipes. If you do fall in or find yourself panicking fight the urge to swim immediately, lean back to float on your back, and control your breathing before calling for help.
If you are swimming in a river always prioritise your safety by checking the flow and temperature, and plotting a clear exit point before you get in, and stay away from weirs, locks and fast-flowing white water.
Sadly, it is also worth checking for pollution, especially in local rivers, and after a heavy storm run-off can spike bacteria levels in the water which can cause illness. The Rivers Trust monitor the state of many of our rivers and you can check the suitability for swimming of a waterway near you at theriverstrust.org.
