It’s nearly 20 degrees outside and it’s getting harder and harder to resist the urge to throw ourselves into the nearest body of water. Unfortunately, the one thing missing from the city centre is an outdoor pool. Thankfully, our neighbours across Greater Manchester and beyond have more than enough to go around… Here are the most refreshing outdoor swimming pools in and around Greater Manchester. Please take care swimming and only swim in safe, supervised waters.
1. Dock 9, Salford Quays
Outdoor swimming group Uswim hold open water swimming sessions in Dock 9 of Salford Quays on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. With measured 400m, 750m and 1km swim courses, Uswim provides full safety cover in quality-tested water as well as changing facilities, bag store, refreshments (vital) and wetsuit hire. Tow floats are compulsory. U Swim, Salford Quays, Dock 9, Salford, M50 3AZ.
2. Salford Watersports Centre, Salford Quays
The sports centre run open water swimming sessions all year round in the regulated water of the Quays, with three sessions taking place each week right through until October. With 300 and 500-metre length courses, the sessions are open to swimmers of all abilities with safety cover provided by the centre’s professional water safety team. Changing rooms, showers and wetsuit hire are also available at the sports centre. Salford Watersports Centre, 15 The Quays, Salford, M50 3SQ.
3. Sale Water Park, Sale
Open Swim UK run four sessions per week between May and September in the lake at Sale Water Park. Dedicated to promoting open water swimming, the group help swimmers improve their technique while providing a safe friendly environment to share the joy of open water swimming. They also have indoor changing rooms with lockers, hot showers and wetsuit hire. Sale Water Park, Rifle Rd, Sale, M33 2LX.
4. Hathersage Swimming Pool, Hathersage
For those who don’t fancy roughing it in a lake, Hathersage swimming pool offers year-round swimming in its open-air heated pool. Nestled in the Peak District, the pool is over an hour’s drive from Manchester, but provides the comfort of chlorinated water, hot poolside showers and breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. Hathersage Swimming Pool, Oddfellows Rd, Hathersage, Hope Valley, S32 1DU.
5. Boundary Water Park, Cheshire
Another Uswim pool but more further afield, Boundary Water Park is one of the loveliest outdoor swimming venues close to Greater Manchester. Known for its relaxed family atmosphere and warm, shallow lake, it makes it the perfect spot for novices. Sessions are overseen by qualified coaches and run on Thursdays 5.30pm until 7.30pm and Sundays 10am until 12pm. It’s £7 to swim when booking online and £10 on the day and there is free parking, changing, toilet and shower facilities, with wetsuit hire available for £10 for adults. Boundary Water Park, London Rd, Allostock, Crewe, CW4 8HT.
Also published on Medium.