Wild Swimming in Sussex & the South East
Discover wild swimming spots in Sussex — from the River Ouse and Ashdown Forest ponds to chalk streams and the coast. Find safe, beautiful locations for outdoor swimming across the South East.
60 venues listed
Pells Pool
Lewes, East Sussex
One of the oldest surviving freshwater outdoor swimming pools in the UK — a beautiful natural pool in the heart of Lewes, East Sussex, fed by a natural spring and open since 1860. Pells Pool is an unheated, spring-fed lido surrounded by old trees and managed as a community resource — entirely non-profit and wonderfully unpretentious. The water is clear and cold, the setting is deeply English and the experience of swimming here feels completely removed from the modern world.
Warleigh Weir
Bath, Somerset
Arguably the finest wild swimming spot near Bath — a beautiful stretch of the River Avon with a natural weir creating a deep, clear pool surrounded by wooded riverbanks. Warleigh Weir has been a beloved swimming spot for generations of Bath residents. The walk down through the meadows from the lane is itself a pleasure. Best visited on a warm summer day; always check river levels before swimming.
Vobster Quay
Radstock, Somerset
One of the most unique wild swimming and diving destinations in England — a flooded quarry in the Mendip Hills of Somerset with exceptional water clarity. Vobster Quay is used extensively for diver training (there are sunken aircraft and vehicles to explore), but also welcomes open-water swimmers, paddleboarders and cold-water enthusiasts. Changing facilities, a cafe and sauna on site.
Surf Snowdonia
Conwy, Conwy
The world's first inland surf lagoon, set in a stunning North Wales valley in the Snowdonia foothills. Surf Snowdonia offers surfing for all abilities, cold water swimming in the lagoon, and a growing wellness programme — a genuinely unique outdoor wellbeing experience in an extraordinary natural setting in Wales.
St Enodoc Hotel
Wadebridge, Cornwall
A beautiful contemporary hotel on the Camel Estuary at Rock in North Cornwall, steps from the water and surrounded by some of Cornwall's best beaches, sailing, and walking. St Enodoc's spa has treatment rooms, a sauna, and an outdoor hot tub — alongside immediate access to Polzeath surf beach, the Camel Trail cycle route and the clear estuary waters for wild swimming.
Raasay House
Isle of Raasay, Highland
A historic mansion and outdoor adventure centre on the stunning Isle of Raasay, just off the east coast of Skye in the Scottish Highlands. Raasay House offers kayaking, wild swimming, walking, yoga, and wild sauna experiences in one of Scotland's most remote and beautiful landscapes — a genuine digital detox and adventure wellness destination.
Isle of Eriska Hotel
Oban, Argyll and Bute
A magnificent Scottish baronial mansion on its own private island near Oban in Argyll — connected to the mainland by a private bridge. The Isle of Eriska's spa features a stunning pool and thermal suite, with the entire hotel enjoying an extraordinary sense of seclusion and natural beauty. Red squirrels, herons and otters on the doorstep.
Linthwaite House
Windermere, Cumbria
A beautiful Edwardian country house hotel perched above Lake Windermere, with panoramic views across the water to the Langdale Pikes. Linthwaite House has a spa with an outdoor hot tub, sauna, and treatment rooms — as well as a private tarn (lake) on the grounds for wild swimming. A genuinely special retreat in the heart of the Lake District.
Sharpham Estate
Totnes, Devon
A beautiful vineyard estate and retreat centre on a bend of the River Dart in South Devon, home to Sharpham College and a thriving programme of mindfulness retreats, yoga courses, and meditation days. Set in stunning river meadows and ancient woodland, Sharpham Estate is one of the most peaceful and distinctive retreat settings in England.
Yeotown
Barnstaple, Devon
A highly acclaimed residential wellness retreat in the rolling hills of North Devon near Barnstaple. Yeotown offers immersive week-long programmes combining yoga, meditation, nutrition, wild swimming, coast and moorland walks — in a genuinely transformative environment. One of the UK's most respected independent wellness retreats, with a devoted following.
Bovey Castle
Moretonhampstead, Devon
A grand Edwardian country house hotel set within Dartmoor National Park, overlooking the North Bovey Valley. Bovey Castle's spa features a superb indoor pool, outdoor hot tub, sauna, steam room, and a full range of treatments — surrounded by some of Devon's most dramatic moorland scenery. Walking, wild swimming in the River Bovey and spa luxury in one extraordinary setting.
Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate
St Ives, Cornwall
A beautiful Cornish hotel on a private Blue Flag beach in Carbis Bay near St Ives — made famous as the venue for the 2021 G7 Summit. The estate spa has an indoor pool, outdoor ocean-facing pool, sauna, steam room, and a full range of treatments — all with stunning views across St Ives Bay. One of the most scenically spectacular spa hotels in Cornwall.
Cliveden House
Maidenhead, Berkshire
One of England's most iconic country house hotels — a Grade I listed mansion above the Thames near Maidenhead, with one of the most celebrated spas in the country. The Cliveden Spa has an indoor pool, outdoor spring water pool overlooking the Thames valley, treatment rooms set within the walled garden, and a full range of therapies.
Bude Sea Pool
Bude, Cornwall
A remarkable tidal seawater pool carved into the rocks at Summerleaze Beach in Bude, North Cornwall — one of the finest sea pools in the UK. Naturally filled by the Atlantic on each tide, Bude Sea Pool offers a sheltered open water swimming experience on one of Cornwall's most beautiful surf beaches. Free to use and maintained by a local trust.
Hampton Pool
Hampton, Greater London
A beloved heated outdoor lido on the Thames in Hampton, South West London — open year-round, including on Christmas Day. Hampton Pool is run by a community trust and has been a local institution since 1994. With a 36-metre heated pool and a lively community of regular swimmers, it's one of London's great outdoor swimming venues.
Lime Wood Hotel
Lyndhurst, Hampshire
One of England's most acclaimed luxury retreats, set deep in the New Forest in Hampshire. Lime Wood's Raw & Cured spa is extraordinary — featuring an outdoor natural swimming pool, sauna, mud treatment rooms, an 'Herb House' spa, and Herb Garden. Consistently rated among the finest spa hotels in the UK and a genuine destination wellness experience.
Watergate Bay Hotel
Newquay, Cornwall
A vibrant surf and wellness hotel directly on the sand at Watergate Bay, one of Cornwall's most spectacular beaches. Watergate Bay Hotel is a year-round destination — with surfing, yoga, open water swimming, a spa, outdoor hot tubs, and a strong wellness programme alongside world-class waves. A uniquely active and restorative Cornish escape.
Highgate Men's Pond
London, Greater London
One of London's most storied outdoor swimming spots — a natural pond on Hampstead Heath open year-round exclusively for men. Highgate Men's Pond has a fiercely loyal community of cold water swimmers, particularly in the winter months when ice swimming sessions draw a brave and dedicated crowd.
Hampstead Heath Ladies' Pond
London, Greater London
A legendary outdoor swimming pond on Hampstead Heath in North London, open year-round exclusively for women. The Ladies' Pond has a devoted community of wild swimmers who brave the water every season — an ancient, reed-fringed lido surrounded by woodland that feels like a secret world within the city.
Sandford Parks Lido
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
A classic 50-metre outdoor lido in the heart of Cheltenham, open from May to September. Sandford Parks Lido is one of the finest outdoor pools in the Midlands — heated, beautifully maintained, and set in a Victorian park. A proper lido experience that feels a world away from the town centre bustle.
Cleveland Pools Bath
Bath, Somerset
Britain's oldest surviving public outdoor swimming pool, recently restored to its Georgian glory on the banks of the River Avon in Bath. Cleveland Pools dates from 1815 and is now a stunning heated outdoor lido open from spring to autumn — a genuine piece of living history and one of the most beautiful swim venues in England.
Samphire Sauna
Seaford, East Sussex
An independent community sauna on the Sussex coast, offering wood-fired sauna sessions steps from the sea. Samphire Sauna is a beloved local institution — combining Nordic heat traditions with cold water dipping in the English Channel for an exhilarating coastal wellness experience.
The Torridon
Achnasheen, Highland
A magnificent Victorian shooting lodge turned luxury hotel on the shores of Loch Torridon in the Scottish Highlands. The Torridon offers wild swimming in the loch, an outdoor hot tub, sauna, yoga and a vast range of outdoor activities amid some of Scotland's most dramatic mountain scenery. A truly unforgettable Highland wellness escape.
Another Place The Lake
Penrith, Cumbria
A stunning lakeside hotel and spa on the shores of Ullswater in the Lake District. Another Place offers wild swimming directly from the hotel's private jetty, an outdoor hot tub, sauna, indoor pool, yoga classes and a full spa — all surrounded by some of England's most dramatic scenery. One of the UK's most inspiring wellness destinations.
Jesus Green Lido Cambridge
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
A beautiful 90-metre outdoor pool beside the River Cam in central Cambridge, open from May to September. Jesus Green Lido is one of England's longest outdoor pools and a cherished part of Cambridge life — surrounded by willow trees and a short walk from the city centre.
Pells Pool Lewes
Lewes, East Sussex
Britain's oldest freshwater outdoor pool, fed by a natural spring and set in the heart of Lewes in East Sussex. Pells Pool has been welcoming swimmers since 1860 and is run as a community trust — an unheated, unfiltered open-air pool that's a genuine wild swimming experience in a town setting.
Hathersage Open Air Pool
Hathersage, Derbyshire
A heated outdoor pool in the Peak District village of Hathersage, surrounded by the dramatic moorland scenery of the Dark Peak. Open from May to September, Hathersage Pool is a beloved local institution and one of the finest outdoor swimming experiences in the north of England.
Jubilee Pool Penzance
Penzance, Cornwall
A stunning Art Deco seawater lido built in 1935 on the seafront at Penzance in Cornwall. Recently restored and featuring a geothermally heated pool alongside the main tidal pool, Jubilee Pool is one of the most beautiful outdoor swimming venues in the UK — and a genuine piece of Cornish heritage.
Parliament Hill Lido
London, Greater London
An unheated 60-metre outdoor pool on Hampstead Heath in North London, open year-round. Parliament Hill Lido has a loyal community of cold water swimmers who swim here through every season. Surrounded by the Heath and managed by the City of London, it's one of the capital's most iconic outdoor swimming venues.
London Fields Lido
London, Greater London
A heated outdoor 50-metre pool in the heart of Hackney, open year-round. London Fields Lido has a loyal following of early morning swimmers and is one of East London's favourite wellness institutions. Surrounded by the park, it offers a genuine outdoor swimming experience in the city.
Brockwell Lido
London, Greater London
A beloved Art Deco outdoor lido in Herne Hill, South London, open year-round including the winter months. Brockwell Lido is one of London's great community swimming institutions — heated in summer and unheated for the hardy in winter. With a cafe, sauna and regular swimming events, it's far more than just a pool.
Lusty Glaze Beach
Newquay, Cornwall
A stunning private cove near Newquay with crystal-clear water, accessible via a steep path through a wooded valley. Lusty Glaze hosts open water swimming events and wild swimming experiences in one of Cornwall's most beautiful natural settings — a must for sea swimmers visiting the north Cornish coast.
Saltdean Lido
Brighton, East Sussex
A stunning Art Deco outdoor lido on the coast just east of Brighton, lovingly restored by the local community. The open-air pool sits steps from the sea and offers a proper outdoor swimming experience from spring through to autumn — one of the most beautiful lidos in the south of England.
Cromhall Quarry
Bristol, South Gloucestershire
A crystal-clear former limestone quarry near Bristol offering open water swimming, diving and paddleboarding. With marked swim loops and lifeguarded sessions, it's one of the finest wild swimming venues in the South West — available year round.
Rewilded Retreats
Matlock, Derbyshire
Immersive nature retreats on the edge of the Peak District combining forest bathing, ancient cave exploration, wild swims in limestone ravines, moonlit walks, and wild dinners — all in the landscape around Bonsall near Matlock. Small-group, seasonal, and genuinely transformative.
FAHRENHUT Sauna
Penrith, Cumbria
A lakeside wood-fired barrel sauna perched at the edge of Ullswater, with direct access to cold-water dipping in one of the Lake District's most dramatic lakes. Private hire sessions available year-round — the combination of Lakeland scenery and contrast therapy is genuinely hard to beat.
Fire & Ice Wellness
Bristol, Bristol
Bristol's first outdoor sauna and natural cold plunge, set within Westbury Wildlife Park — a former seal lake converted into a spring-fed cold plunge pond surrounded by woodland. A genuinely unique urban nature setting for contrast therapy, just minutes from central Bristol.
The Dales Dipper
Leyburn, North Yorkshire
Guided wild swimming experiences across the waterfalls, tarns, and rivers of the Yorkshire Dales — from Wensleydale to the River Wharfe. Run on a community basis for individuals and small groups of all abilities, with an emphasis on safety, connection to landscape, and year-round dipping.
Cabilla Cornwall
Bodmin, Cornwall
An immersive retreat in ancient Atlantic temperate rainforest on Bodmin Moor, offering forest bathing, daily yoga and breathwork, river swimming in the Bedalder, and a wood-fired sauna. One of the most ecologically rich and restorative retreat destinations in England.
ERTH Retreat
Saltash, Cornwall
A yoga and creative wellbeing retreat on a historic private peninsula near Saltash, with a 12th-century chapel as the main studio space, a regenerative farm, paddleboarding, and wild swimming in the River Tamar. Exclusive-hire retreats and open weekends throughout the year.
Tawelu Retreats
Conwy, Conwy
An exclusive-use retreat centre sleeping up to 22 in the mountains of Snowdonia, with a dedicated yoga studio, wild swimming access in mountain streams, and a programme of guided wellness retreats throughout the year. One of the most beautifully sited retreat properties in Wales.
Braan Sauna at The Taybank
Dunkeld, Perthshire
A wood-fired riverside sauna with a six-foot cold plunge tank and firepit, sited on the banks of the River Tay behind Dunkeld's beloved Taybank pub. Seasonal sessions from October to March — combining one of Scotland's great riverscapes with authentic sauna culture.
Nowhere Sauna at Comrie Croft
Crieff, Perth & Kinross
A handcrafted spruce-and-aspen sauna heated by a Finnish IKI stove, sited beside the Mill Pond at Comrie Croft near Crieff. Cold plunge bath, waterfall bucket, birch whisks, and an outdoor fire pit — Finnish sauna ritual done properly in the heart of Perthshire.
Venachar Lochside Wild Spa
Callander, Stirling
A stunning lochside sauna and wild spa on the shores of Loch Venachar in the Trossachs, with a panoramic picture window framing the mountains across the water. Open to non-residents alongside the lochside restaurant — one of the most beautiful sauna settings in Scotland.
SwimSwimSwim Brighton
Brighton, East Sussex
Open water sea swimming coaching on Brighton's seafront for all abilities — from first-timers to channel hopefuls. Community-led morning sessions with qualified coaches, safety cover, and a genuinely warm welcome. One of the most active sea swimming communities on the South Coast.
Sauna Yoku
Haywards Heath, West Sussex
A handcrafted wood-fired sauna with cold plunge and wild swimming at Holmsted Farm near Haywards Heath. Finalist at the UK Sauna Summit 2024. Community sessions, private hire, and seasonal retreats set in the West Sussex countryside — this is what sauna culture should look like.
Pool Bridge Farm York
York, North Yorkshire
Lake-side wild swimming and sauna venue near York built around wood-fired saunas alternated with plunges into a natural lake. A sociable, nature-immersive experience that draws swimmers from across Yorkshire.
Wilder Sauna Devon
Yelverton, Devon
A bespoke wood-fired sauna beside the River Dart at Dartmeet in Dartmoor National Park — one of the most dramatic sauna settings in the UK. Cold plunge into the river straight from the sauna. Communal and private sessions, bookable year-round.
Longside Lake Open Water Swimming
Egham, Surrey
A crystal-clear freshwater lake near Egham opened for open water swimming in 2022, set between Egham and Virginia Water. Features four marked swim loops from 250m to 1km in exceptionally clear water with easy access from Sussex and Kent, on the edge of Greater London.
Action Watersports Open Water Lydd
Lydd, Kent
Open water swimming on a clear, sheltered freshwater lake in the Romney Marsh area of Kent, with 650 metres of clean blue water and easy entry points. Prices from £7 per session with marker buoys for distance reference — the lake warms quickly in summer and is ideal for all abilities.
TriSwim Penshurst Place Lake
Penshurst, Kent
An exclusive wild swimming experience within the grounds of historic Penshurst Place in Kent, featuring a 400m lake with a shallow walk-in bay, year-round sessions, and seasonal Tour, Tea & Swim packages. TriSwim-managed with lifeguards and optional access to the Penshurst gardens.
Ardingly Activity Centre Open Water
Haywards Heath, West Sussex
Lifeguard-supervised open water swimming sessions at Ardingly Reservoir in West Sussex, year-round including winter swims. Also offering sailing, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and kayaking with seasonal memberships and a full activity programme.
Weir Wood Reservoir Open Water Swimming
Forest Row, East Sussex
Open water swimming in a 379-acre SSSI reservoir in the High Weald near Forest Row, with year-round lifeguard-supervised sessions including winter swims. Courses from 250m to 4000m with free parking, changing facilities, and a lakeside café.
Ashdown Forest Wild Swimming
Forest Row, East Sussex
Weekend open water swimming sessions in the Ashdown Forest. Supervised swims in a natural setting, perfect for those looking to experience the benefits of cold water immersion amid beautiful forest scenery.
Wild Swimming Barcombe Mills
Barcombe, East Sussex
A beloved East Sussex wild swimming location along a deep, clear 5km stretch of the River Ouse just north of Lewes. Multiple entry points at bridges and weirs, suitable for experienced open water swimmers.
Eastbourne Open Water Swimming Club
Eastbourne, East Sussex
A community open water swimming group meeting year-round from Eastbourne beach on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays in August. Experienced swimmers on hand to guide newcomers.
Sea Lanes Brighton
Brighton, East Sussex
The UK's National Open Water Swimming Centre, featuring a 50m heated outdoor pool on Brighton's seafront alongside direct sea access. A landmark wellness venue offering swimming, coaching, fitness classes, and community events.
Divers Cove
Godstone, Surrey
A stunning 7.3-acre former sand-extraction reservoir in Surrey offering supervised open water swimming with lifeguards across two marked circuits. Woodland sauna pods available at weekends for a full contrast therapy experience.
Furnace Brook
Hailsham, East Sussex
An 80-acre Ecosystem Restoration Community offering handcrafted lakeside cabins in the High Weald AONB. On-site therapies include massage, Reiki, and yoga alongside gong bath classes for a deeply restorative stay.
Bewl Water
Lamberhurst, Kent
Open water swimming at Bewl Water reservoir — one of the largest areas of open water in the South East. Saturday morning sessions from 9am to 10:30am. Day pass £8.