THE UK’S 10 best swim spots have been revealed, with a 1930s pool with its own sauna topping the list.
With the school holidays just around the corner, and more sunny days on the way, many parents will be looking for ways to entertain their kids on the cheap.
Lidos, tidal pools and swimming lakes provide hours of fun for the whole family, with many having spots to sunbathe and even free entry.
1. Brockwell Lido
The AA analysed 164 UK lidos, lakes and outdoor pools based on reviews, search volume, Instagram tags, entry, parking fees, temperature and hours of sunlight, and Brockwell Lido came out on top, with a score of 82.9/100.
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The south-west London lido features a 1930s art deco, Grade II listed building, a large 50m pool and even it’s own cafe.
Those not keen on swimming can even visit the sauna, and there are plenty of spots to sunbathe too.
2. Tooting Bec Lido
Just down the road from Brockwell is Tooting Bec Lido, which came second on the list, with a score of 76.41.
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This lido is one of the oldest in the UK, having been built in 1906 and is the UK’s largest freshwater swimming pool, measuring 91.4m in length.
It has a cafe, plenty of space to sunbathe and even a separate pool for kids.
3. Sale Water Park
A Greater Manchester gem, Sale Water Park is third on the list, with a score of 76.34.
The man-made lake was created from a former gravel pit used in the construction of the M60 motorway.
It is popular for water sports such as kayaking, sailing and windsurfing, and you can swim in the lake during designated swimming sessions.
4. London Fields Lido
Over in East London, London Fields Lido came fourth on the list, with a score of 71.13.
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The popular swimming spot opened way back in 1932 and is one of the capital’s only heated pools, meaning it is open all year round.
It has a sundeck and a cafe, with swimming lessons and fitness classes held in the pool.
Swimming safety advice
Experts have revealed some of their top advice for both adults and kids heading to the water this summer:
How to stay safe at the beach
Gareth Morrison, Head of Water Safety at the RNLI said: “If you find yourself being swept out to sea in a rip, try to relax and float until you are free from the rip and you can then swim to safety.
“If you see someone else in danger, alert a lifeguard or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”
How to stay safe at the swimming pool
Tiny Hearts Education, former paramedic and CEO Nikki Jurcutz said: “Always put your little one in bright or contrasting colours that would be easy to find in an emergency.
“It only takes 20 seconds to drown, little tips like this could save a life”.
An Auqabliss spokesperson added: “Swimming toys such as noodles, dive rings, floaties and beach balls can be dangerous if left in the pool.
“Children may try to grab these from the pool’s edge and fall in.”
How to stay safe at a waterpark
Ali Beckman, Puddle Ducks Technical Director, said: “Never send a child down the slide on their own, not only are they going to be entering the slide pool area independently, they then have to exit the pool and wait for an adult.
“And wave pools should be avoided until your child is really confident with water going over their faces and you know they are able to regain their feet independently.
“Waterparks are often very busy places and it’s easy to lose sight of a child in a split second.”
5. Thames Lido
Thames Lido in Reading comes fifth on the list, with a score of 70.34.
First opened back in 1903 as the Ladies Swimming Bath, it is one of the oldest in the UK, and underwent a huge renovation in 2017.
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As well as a pool, the facility also has a small spa and a restaurant.
6. Hampstead Ponds
Hampstead Ponds on Hampstead Heath came in at number 6, with a score of 67.54.
There are three ponds, ladies’, men’s and mixed ponds, with the single gender pools open year round, and the mixed pond only open during the summer.
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Only those over eight are able to swim in the ponds, and under 15s must be accompanied by and adult.
7. Clevedon Marine Lake
Number seven on the list is Clevedon Marine Lake, in Somerset, which got a score of 67.10.
The tidal pool holds 15,000sqm of sea water which flows in on the tide, and opened back in 1929.
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It’s completely free to enter, and you can also paddle board and canoe in the lake.
8. Hampton Pool
Hampton Pool in London is eighth on the list, with a score of 65.36.
The heated pool is open all year round and the lido even hosts concerts in the summer.
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9. Walpole Bay Tidal Pool
Walpole Bay Tidal Pool in Margate, Kent is number nine on the list, with a score of 65.21.
Built back in 1937, the pool is Grade II listed, and covers four acres, making it the biggest tidal pool in the UK.
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Located on Margate Beach, it’s free to enter, and open all year round.
10. Guilford Lido
The final lido in the top 10 is Guildford Lido in Surrey, which has a score of 64.56.
The outdoor pool first opened in 1933 and has so much for kids, including water slides, interactive toys and a mini golf course.
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