10 outdoor swimming spots in the UK – lidos, hidden coves and natural pools

Why I love cold water swimming

To those who say they don’t like swimming because they hate the cold, I say the real thrill is in getting warm again. Whether it’s holding a hot water bottle to your chest in a lido café, enjoying a pint in front of a fire after a river swim or warming up with a hearty fish supper in a cosy seaside café – there’s nothing quite as restorative as a post-swim meal.

Enjoying cold water is all about earning the reward after. Whether it's enjoying pizza by a London lido, savouring lobster in a Scottish harbour or trying a seaweed-infused breakfast in Wales, there’s no better way to soak up the benefits of a swim than with a good meal and these swims are guaranteed to satisfy your cravings for both adventure and amazing food. Here are my favourite swimming spots where you can recharge with a delicious meal after an invigorating dip.

What is cold water swimming?

Immersing yourself in cold water has many benefits for your body and mind. It reduces body pain and inflammation, boosts your immune system and improves circulation. Evidence suggests that with ‘cold adaptation’ through repeated exposure to cold water it’s possible to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, inhibit blood clotting and even increase your libido. Most of all, it gets you outdoors and off to amazing new places. Every swim is an adventure, and these all include fantastic food.

Best UK lidos for swimming

Penzance, Cornwall

Fancy a swim in an Art Deco masterpiece? Jubilee Pool in Penzance is the UK's largest seawater lido and a stunning architectural icon. The pool has a unique triangle design (imagine the triangular curved edges of green Quality Street) which mimics the natural contours of the coast and withstands fierce waves. It’s a triumph of form meeting function, and the white-washed terrace and regular synchronised swimming displays are a welcome throwback to the 1930s glamour of the lido’s heyday. The pool's crystal-clear waters are perfect for those who love a bracing swim in salty sea water but aren't keen on battling waves or dodging jellyfish. There's even a geothermally heated section for year-round swimming.

Where to eat nearby: Perched on the Cornish coast, Penzance is full of amazing local seafood. The Shore Restaurant, 45 Queen Street and Artist Residence are all well worth a visit or take a short walk to Newlyn, a hip neighbourhood with an exciting food scene. There, you can enjoy natural wine and bar snacks from Lovetts Wine Bar, seafood from Mackerel Sky Seafood Bar and ice cream from Jelbert’s. Just remember to pack your appetite along with your swimsuit. Check out our guide to Cornwall's best restaurants for more inspiration, and the best hotels in Cornwall if you're planning a getaway.

Brockwell Lido, London

In leafy South London, you’ll find another art deco masterpiece: Brockwell Lido. This Olympic-sized pool is a proper architectural gem with its distinctive blue and white facade like a retro postcard against the park's lush greenery. It can be hard to get that community feeling somewhere as hectic as London, but Brockwell Lido has been cooling off overheated Londoners since the 1930s and is affectionally known as Brixton’s Beach. In spring wisteria trails over the brick wall leaving the poolside dusted in lilac flowers. When the seasons change the pool is just as busy and transformed to an enthusiastic hub of winter swimmers, cheering each other on as they brace the cold water.

Where to eat nearby: Brockwell Lido has a café opposite where you can watch swimmers float up and down the lanes. Here you can ask the staff for a hot water bottle while you warm up. Four Hundred Rabbits do amazing pizza (feta and courgette is my favourite) or if you fancy a light bite try the panuozzos, a sandwich made of sourdough pizza dough. If you’re a Londoner north of the river, check out London Fields Lido for lunch and swimming too.

Bristol Lido, Bristol

If you like lidos but can’t stand the cold take a trip to Bristol Lido where the water is warm year-round. Steam rises off the water on chilly mornings, creating a magical atmosphere as early birds glide through the mist of this open-air pool. The Victorian-era building dates back to 1849, making it one of the oldest surviving lidos in the UK. It’s recently been given transformed from a neglected relic to a swanky swim spot that's more spa day than public pool. You can sweat it out in the sauna and treat yourself to a massage. My favourite thing about this swim is the colourful changing rooms that look straight out of a Wes Anderson film.

Where to eat nearby: You don’t even have to leave Bristol Lido for this meal. The poolside restaurant is tucked away in the trendy Clifton neighborhood and is a lovely urban oasis. It serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine (the hand-dived Orkney scallops roasted in the shell are delightful) with a great wine menu. The restaurant overlooks the pool and the last time I visited there was a gentle rain dancing on the pool surface. Bliss!

See our full foodie guide to the best restaurants in Bristol for more foodie recommendations if you're spending a weekend in the city.

Hidden coves and natural pools for swimming

King Edward’s Bay, Tynemouth

Nestled between craggy cliffs, King Edward's Bay in Tynemouth is the kind of beach that makes you feel like you've stumbled upon a secret. This little slice of North East paradise is the perfect spot for those who like their seaside with a side of drama—imposing castle ruins, rugged rocks and sweeping coastal views. The horseshoe-shaped cove is a haven for wild swimmers and when the surf's up, you might catch sight of some brave souls riding the waves. At low tide, the bay transforms into a playground of rock pools. A beautiful spot for beachcombing.

Where to eat nearby: On King Edward’s Bay you’ll find the legendary Riley's Fish Shack, a ramshackle-chic eatery right on the beach. This converted shipping container decked out with twinkling lights serves up fresh seafood, cooked over a wood fire and best enjoyed with sand between your toes. The menu changes regularly and you really can’t go wrong with any of the daily specials. On my visit we enjoyed local langoustines, mackerel wraps and marinated monkfish kebabs served with tabbouleh and crispy chickpeas.

North Berwick, Scotland

North Berwick is like a postcard come to life. This Scottish seaside town is a few stops from Edinburgh on the train and is where the cool kids of the capital come to escape the city hustle. There are a few options for swimming here. The tidal pool is perfect for paddling with little ones or there’s the beaches at West Bay and Milsey Bay where swimming groups regularly brave the bracing waters of the Firth of Forth. When you’re done swimming, hike the volcanic North Berwick Law or get a boat from the Scottish Seabird Centre to see gannets and puffins on Bass Rock. Remember to pack for every season, sometimes you’ll get them all in one day.

Where to eat nearby: The Lobster Shack on North Berwick’s harbour is a favourite of foodies and chefs including Tom Kitchin, Scotland’s youngest winner of a Michelin star. They serve fresh-off-the-boat seafood and their lobster and chips is a real show stopper. When it comes to fish and chips you’re spoilt for choice on this stretch of East coast of Scotland. The Rocketeer, also in North Berwick, serves golden crispy cod and further north you’ll find Anstruther Fish Bar which is regularly voted Scotland’s best. Plus, it’s nestled between two gorgeous tidal pool swims in Cellardyke and Pittenweem.

River Rothay, Lake District

If you like swims that are more ‘babbling brook’ than ‘salty sea’, the River Rothay is just the place for you. Snaking its way through some of the Lake District’s most charming scenery it’s mother nature’s answer to a lazy river ride. The Rothay meanders through the heart of Wordsworth country and is a gorgeous spot to float on your back and gaze up at the green fells. I love the stretch near Rydal Water where there’s a series of natural pools perfect for a refreshing plunge. The Badger Bar pool, named after the nearby pub, is deep enough for a proper swim, but sheltered enough that you don't feel like you're swimming hard but staying in one spot. For the more adventurous, there are gentle rapids. Just remember that the Rothay can be bracingly cold, even in summer. I find nothing wakes me up quite like a dip in glacier-melt water, and there are plenty of pubs nearby with fires waiting to warm you up.

Where to eat nearby: After your wild swim in the River Rothay head to Homeground in Windermere. It’s walk-in only and there’s often a queue, so head there early for brunch (it’s nice to have a reason to get up and out for a swim early, after all). There’s custard French toast topped with pistachio cheesecake, berry compote and oat crumb or if you prefer a savoury breakfast try the hogget hash with asparagus and dollops of anchovy aioli. On your way out select a cake from the counter (I love the strawberry and clotted cream blondie) to take with you for a hike or your next swim.

Inspired to book a Lake District break? Check out our picks of the best Lake District hotels and our complete foodie guide to the Lake District best restaurants.

Angle, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Nestled in the southwestern tip of Wales, Angle is wild, windswept and great for a swim. This tiny village in Pembrokeshire is where the Welsh coast really shows off its charm: secluded coves, weather-worn rocks and golden sands. There are two bays to swim in here. West Angle Bay is horseshoe-shaped and sandy while East Angle Bay on the other side of the peninsula offers a vast expanse of sand and mudflats. The waters around Angle are crystal clear. On a sunny day, the turquoise waters look almost Mediterranean – until you dip your toe in and remember that yes, this is still Welsh water. Don't let the brisk temperatures put you off; a quick dip here is invigorating, and a great meal awaits as your reward.

Where to eat nearby: Cafe Môr is a first of its kind, solar-powered-mobile-seaweed-kitchen on East Angle Bay. I love a morning swim so had a dip before trying the breakfast bun with bacon, egg, Welsh cheddar, laverbread patty and seaweed butter. The founder (who also runs The Old Point House pub here) is interested in building on the Welsh tradition of harvesting laver which is packed with iron, protein, iodine, vitamin C and lots of other minerals and antioxidants—all perfect for a post-swim pick me up. Cafe Môr operates on summer seasons, so be sure to check opening times before you travel.

UK tidal pools for swimming

Walpole Bay, Margate

Covering four acres, this tidal pool is the largest in Britain. It’s a beautiful sunset swim when the opal sky is reflected in the water. On weekends there’s a free to use sauna cabin nearby, perfect for warming up after your drip.

Where to eat nearby: On your walk back into town from the tidal pool, stop by Manning’s Seafood Stall for oysters and a glass of fix, or if you want a sit down meal Bottega Caruso serves a tiramisu to die for. Browse our Margate foodie guide for more of the best restaurants in Margate, plus where to stay.

Shoalstone Pool, Dorset

Based on the coast in Brixham, this charmed painted semi-natural pool has changing rooms and a stunning view of the sea.

Where to eat nearby: Family-run Shoals on the Lido overlooks the pool and serves delicious seafood chowder or head to The Wine Loft a short walk away for a glass of wine and tinned fish on toast.

Chapel Pool, Cornwall

Only appearing at low tide, this magic half-natural and half-manmade pool looks like something out of Neverland’s lagoon. Be warned, it’s a bit of a treacherous walk down to the water, but well worth it.

Where to eat nearby: Walk from the pool to Blue Peter Inn, a pub built into the cliffs of fishing village Polperro. The fish stew is second to none or try the locally caught crab with proper pub chips and a pint of regional ale.