7 days ago
Best UK swimming lakes for families who want to skip the beach – with turquoise waters, aquaparks and cabana boats
It's set to be another scorcher this week with temperatures on the rise, but you don't have go to the beach to make the most of it, .
Around the UK, there are some incredible lake spots for wild swimming, water sports and some even have mega inflatables.
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Cliff Lakes, Staffordshire
For water fun, can you go wrong with the UK's biggest Aqua Park? That's what you'll find at Cliff Lakes in Tamworth.
The inflatable course has slides, plenty of tricky obstacles and even climbing walls on water.
It's not just for kids either, anyone over the age of six can have a go.
Tickets for Aqualand start at £24 per person for an 80-minute session.
At Cliff Lakes there's the option to try open water swimming, wakeboarding and water skiing.
One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: "Great day out! So much fun with all the different courses, quite a workout but so worth it.
"Would recommend to anyone, best time to go is in summer as you do jump into the lake."
Afterwards, instead of searching for fish and chips along the beach front, you can stop in at the food and drink outlet.
There's lots to enjoy from burgers to hot dogs - it also serves spirits, beers, ciders and ice cream.
The 'incredible' secret wild swimming spot you can have all to yourself - with stunning views and crystal clear water
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Coniston Water, Lake District
Coniston Water is the third biggest lake in the Lake District so it's a popular spot during the summer months.
From taking out small boats, to paddleboarding, kayaking and swimming, there's something for everyone.
The best place for a paddle is at the northern end of the lake where it's sheltered, there's easy access into the water and its gentler too.
One mum wrote on Triapdvisor: "Amazing place to enjoy with kids for paddle boarding, swimming or just chilling on the shore with a book.
"We were lucky to be visiting during the August heatwave and never wanted to leave the water."
Another wrote: "People were sitting at the waterside like it was a beach, could have sat there myself for a good while, very peaceful."
You can swim and paddleboard without a reservation, but if you plan to hire boats you will need to book in advance.
Like most wild swimming spots, the lake is not monitored by lifeguards.
Afterwards, it's easy to take a gander into Coniston village where there's a range of shops, pubs and places to eat.
Hampsted Heath Ponds, London
The Hampstead Heath ponds have a choice of three ponds to dip in, costing £4.80 for adults and £2.90 for kids (who must be 8 and over).
There's the mixed pool, as well as Kenwood Ladies' and Highgate Men's pond.
The natural bathing ponds are always popular and have been called one of "London's fantastic green gems" by visitors.
With no facilities, you'll have to change at home - but it's a small price to pay for such a beautiful swimming location.
During the summer it's usually very busy so to get in you'll have to book a slot before heading down to the ponds.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite. Bookable slots are between the hours of 12pm and 6pm with each being for a 50 minute swim session.
Tickets are released through Eventbrite on Mondays at 12pm for the following seven days (Tuesday to Monday).
The morning sessions between the hours of 7am-11.30am and the evening sessions between 6.30pm-8.30pm are on a first come first served basis.
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Oxford Wet n Wild, Wallingford
For more inflatable fun, add Oxford Wet n Wild to the list.
It has a huge inflatable obstacle course, paddleboarding sessions and kayaking.
The course has everything from trampolines to giant slides and balance beams.
Visitors can have a go at 'open-water Wild Swimming' too, which is open until September 14, 2025.
There are three courses for wild swimming which depend on swim levels.
Throughout the summer, the Aqua Park even offers a late night session every Tuesday between 5pm and 7pm.
Booking online costs £20 per person or a walk-in ticket price is £25.
One visitor wrote: "The aquapark is great fun, there are paddleboards and kayaks for hire and a nice cafe/restaurant too.
"When the sun is shining it has a lovely relaxed holiday vibe."
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Pool Bridge Farm, York
For anyone looking to relax, go for a swim at Pool Bridge Farm in York.
It has four lakes where you can do lots of water activities like swimming, or even paddleboarding.
The Q Lake is the family lake, and the largest where kids can paddleboard and kayak.
Visitors will need to bring their own equipment and pre-book a time slot.
The other three lakes are adult-only so they will be much quieter, some have amenities like wood-fired saunas and outdoor showers.
A child swim ticket costs £5 and an adult swim ticket costs £8.
There's also offers for families and even an on-site campsite for anyone wanting to stay overnight with pitches from £20.
Whitmore Lakes, Staffordshire
Described as a "peaceful retreat" Whitmore Lakes offers a feeling of tranquillity, so its perfect for hot days.
You'll find the lake just outside of Stoke-on-Trent on the Whitmore Estate and it's one of the most beautiful spots for time in the water.
Swimming at Swan Lake is £10 per adult and £8 for children for a half day session.
Sessions at the Lakeside Sauna start at £24 for a 55 minutes - and this includes a morning or afternoon on Swan Lake.
At the Kingfisher Lake, visitors can paddleboard - either bring your own and take a paddle for £10, or hire one out for £15.
To paddleboard, children must be aged 8 and over with children aged 8-12 being accompanied on the water with a full paying adult.
After all the splashing about, or before, check out the Cake Shack with homemade treats, breakfasts, sandwiches, salads and burgers.
Willen Lake, Milton Keynes
Willen Lake in Milton Keynes has it all with a huge lake where you can paddleboard, take out a boat and kayak.
There's even sailing and power boating, as well as a huge Aqua Parc course which is 300 metres long.
Another fun activity for adults is hopping onboard a Cabana Boat where you can cruise and outdoor dine.
The self-drive boats that seats up to ten people mean you can sit back and use the built-in barbecue grill.
A Breeze package, which is an hour's sailing time with an ice bucket for bringing your own drinks and food, for 10 people, starts from £100.
To have a go on the Aqua Parc inflatable is from £22 per person.
The price for open water swimming starts at £7.50, 90 minutes of paddleboarding starts from £32.50.
There's so much more to keep families entertained there too from the adventure golf course to the splash park, archery and cycling.
For more water attractions, check out this map with the 10 best spots to take a dip this summer with 1930s art-deco lido topping list – some are even free.
Plus, all the new lidos set to open across the UK from seafront pools to city swimming spots.
