Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lovely-lidos-amp-open-air-pools">LOVELY LIDOS &amp; OPEN AIR POOLS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/00-bristol-lido-25276863_3434400890169665_4408200784972610762_n-1000x665.jpg" alt="bristol lido" class="wp-image-84990" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/00-bristol-lido-25276863_3434400890169665_4408200784972610762_n-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/00-bristol-lido-25276863_3434400890169665_4408200784972610762_n-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/00-bristol-lido-25276863_3434400890169665_4408200784972610762_n-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/00-bristol-lido-25276863_3434400890169665_4408200784972610762_n-768x510.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/00-bristol-lido-25276863_3434400890169665_4408200784972610762_n-790x525.jpg 790w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/06/00-bristol-lido-25276863_3434400890169665_4408200784972610762_n.jpg 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bristol Lido</figcaption></figure>



The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lidobristol.com/">Bristol Lido</a>,&nbsp;hidden amongst the pastel-coloured houses of Clifton is the closest you’ll get to the Med in the city – with infinity pool, spa and poolside cafe, excellent restaurant and pizza oven. 



The Art Deco <a href="https://www.portisheadopenairpool.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portishead Open Air Pool</a> right on the coast, has brilliant views over the Bristol Channel from its sun terraces. The <a href="https://greenbankpool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenbank Pool</a> in Street, which was built in the 1930s by the Clark family (of Clarks Shoes/Clarks Village fame &#8211; not typos, they don&#8217;t use the apostrophe), as an alternative to men swimming nude in the river Brue, has a main pool, children&#8217;s pool, a splash area with slides and fountains, and lots of space for picnics. Other local lidos include <a href="http://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/shepton-mallet-lido/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shepton Mallet</a>, the <a href="https://wiveypool.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wivey Pool</a>, in Wiveliscombe, <a aria-label="Shaftesbury Oasis (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.shaftesbury-oasis.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shaftesbury Oasis</a> and <a aria-label="Tintinhull Pool (opens in a new tab)" href="https://sites.google.com/view/tintinhull-pool/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tintinhull Pool</a>. 



Not far from Langton Matravers on the Isle of Purbeck on the Jurassic Coast, the super dramatic Dancing Ledge is a sea swimming pool blasted out of the rock in an old Portland stone quarry. Best enjoyed at low tide. Access is via a very steep path – possibly not for the faint-hearted – see the <a aria-label="National Trust Spyway. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/spyway" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Trust Spyway.</a>



Britain’s oldest lido, the restored and award-winning Georgian <a href="https://www.clevelandpools.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cleveland Pools</a> in Bath, has had to close due to flooding (ironically); watch this space for when it re-opens.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-luscious-lakes">LUSCIOUS LAKES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/00-image-from-rawpixel-id-3339283-original-1000x750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-69289" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/00-image-from-rawpixel-id-3339283-original-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/00-image-from-rawpixel-id-3339283-original-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/00-image-from-rawpixel-id-3339283-original-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/00-image-from-rawpixel-id-3339283-original-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/00-image-from-rawpixel-id-3339283-original-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/00-image-from-rawpixel-id-3339283-original.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rawpixel</figcaption></figure>



<a aria-label="Henleaze Swimming Club, (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.henleazeswimmingclub.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Henleaze Swimming Club,</a> a mile from the Downs and three miles from Bristol city centre, is a lake with a springboard, high diving boards and a sauna (to warm you up afterwards) in a former quarry surrounded by lawns and trees. You have be able to swim 50m and sign up to become a member.



Team Muddy are regulars at former quarry, <a href="https://www.vobster.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vobster Quay</a> near Frome, a 36-acre lake with a 750m swimming course. Come for open water swimming, scuba diving and stand-up paddleboarding. You have to be a member or come along as the guest of a member to swim or SUP; non-members can dive on Sunday afternoons. 



<a href="https://www.facebook.com/swinehamopenlakeswimming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swineham Open Water Swimming</a>, a lake on Swineham Farm near Wareham is a wonderful natural location suitable for competent swimmers, with marked courses of 400 and 1400m. 



<a href="http://www.marlens.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clevedon Marine Lake </a>is a sea water tidal pool the size of two football pitches on Clevedon seafront, dating back to 1929 and re-opened after restoration a few years ago. The lake’s around shallow around the edges and about 3m deep by the sea wall, with a splash pool for younger children. Swim or take your kayak, canoe, paddle board or dinghy, or rent a little rowing boat.



The 1920s <a href="https://westonmarinelake.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weston-super-Mare&#8217;s Marine Lake</a>, an infinity sea lake on the seafront, is filled by tides from the Bristol Channel.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ravishing-rivers">RAVISHING RIVERS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="749" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/00-lido-lake-1835343_1920_Fotor-1000x749.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-69297" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/00-lido-lake-1835343_1920_Fotor-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/00-lido-lake-1835343_1920_Fotor-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/00-lido-lake-1835343_1920_Fotor-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/00-lido-lake-1835343_1920_Fotor-768x575.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/00-lido-lake-1835343_1920_Fotor-701x525.jpg 701w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/00-lido-lake-1835343_1920_Fotor.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pexels for Pixabay</figcaption></figure>



A firm Muddy favourite  – <a href="https://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/exmoor-for-everyone/things-to-do/tarr-steps" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tarr Steps</a><a href="http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/116096/tarr-steps-from-dulverton.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">,</a> near Dulverton in the Exmoor National Park. An ancient stone clapper bridge crosses the crystal clear waters of the river Barle with shaded wooded walks, shallows for paddling, deeper section of water for swimming and an excellent pub, the <a href="https://www.tarrfarm.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tarr Farm Inn</a> on the banks, for lunch if you can’t be bothered to bring a picnic, and long, cool drinks.



<a href="https://farleighswimming.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Farleigh and District Swimming Club</a> at Farleigh Hungerford near Frome, was established in 1933 and is the only river swimming club in the country. Swim in the fresh, deep waters of the river Frome above a little weir, with a meadow for picnics (and parking), loos and changing rooms. Sounds a treat. 



Not far away, on the same river, and also fab for a dip and deep enough to jump into are <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tellisford" target="_blank">Tellisford</a> Weir near Rode. 



Swim in the river Frome at Moreton Ford near Dorchester (DT2 8RJ), a wide and shallow ford, with a footbridge, willow trees and rope swings. FYI TE Lawrence, aka Lawrence of Arabia, is buried in the nearby St Nicholas Church; and at Wareham Bridge (BH20 4LW) in Wareham, with a picnic area on the banks. 



Take a dip in the river Brue at Lydford on Fosse (BA7 7PT), accessed via the footpath which runs for over 3km, with spots for picnicking along the way.



On the river Avon is Claverton Weir (<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://warleighweir.co.uk/" target="_blank">Warleigh Weir),</a> a 100m long weir with deep water and shallow bits, surrounded by meadows. To get there, take the A36 to Claverton and turn left down Ferry Lane BA2 7BH. It can get busy on a hot day.



All along the River Parrett, which runs through Langport, with four pontoons, Bow Bridge, Cocklemoor, Huish Bridge and west over the bridge. Refreshments at <a href="https://kitchenlangport.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kitchen at the Wharf</a> and <a aria-label="The Bridge Bakery &amp; Canteen. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.thebridgelangport.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bridge Bakery &amp; Canteen.</a>



You can swim in the river Stour at several places, including at Eye Bridge in Wimborne (BH21 4EL), where there&#8217;s a weir and riverside beach; by Colber Bridge (DT10 1EG) a footbridge crossing the river in Sturminster Newton, with an open stretch of water good for long, lazy swims and grassy fields nearby for sunning your bod; and the nearby mill pool at Fiddleford Manor (DT10 2BX).







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-splashalicious-water-parks">SPLASHALICIOUS WATER PARKS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/08/iker-urteaga-GIXUMw8wsoc-unsplash.jpg" alt="swimming" class="wp-image-44741" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/08/iker-urteaga-GIXUMw8wsoc-unsplash.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/08/iker-urteaga-GIXUMw8wsoc-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/08/iker-urteaga-GIXUMw8wsoc-unsplash-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/08/iker-urteaga-GIXUMw8wsoc-unsplash-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2020/08/iker-urteaga-GIXUMw8wsoc-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Iker Urteaga on Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



Whizz down the 110 metre <a aria-label="Mega Slip and Slide (opens in a new tab)" href="https://megaslipandslide.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mega Slip and Slide</a> in a field (What3Words: speak, unfilled, knocking) in Corfe Mullen, near Wimborne. Do more of the same at the <a href="https://ultimateslipnslide.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ultimate Slip n Slide</a>, near Frome. 



Bounce around on the floating obstacle course on lakes with the ruins of Corfe Castle as the backdrop at <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Dorse (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.dorsetadventurepark.com/" target="_blank">Dorset Adventure Park</a>. There&#8217;s a mud course too if you want to get really, really dirty.



Test your nerve on the Grand Canyon, Velocity and The Screamer (you will, I did) and other exhilarating slides, flumes and rapids at the indoor/outdoor <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Splashdown Water Park (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.splashdownwaterparks.co.uk/poole/" target="_blank">Splashdown Water Park</a> in Poole.



Swimming, watersports and a giant obstacle course (aka Aqua Park) at the <a aria-label="West Country Water Park (opens in a new tab)" href="https://westcountrywaterpark.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Country Water Park</a> 10 mins off the M4/M5 north of Bristol and 20 mins from the city centre.



The surf’s always up at inland surf spot <a href="https://www.thewave.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wave</a> in Bristol. Lessons and sessions for all levels including complete beginners. Suitable for 6 years+



A little further afield in Cirencester, the <a href="https://waterpark.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cotswolds Water Park</a> will keep everyone busy with a huge inflatable village plus waterskiing, speed rides on inflatable doughnuts and bananas, sailing, swimming and wakeboarding.



Another whopper, the <a href="https://www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Forest Water Park</a> in Fordingbridge in Hampshire has two trampolines, monkey bars, flippers, slides, hurdles, rockers, rollers, an overhang climbing wall, a swing *pause for breath* – and a giant iceberg.

30+ lidos, water parks and wild swimming spots in Somerset, Dorset, Bristol and beyond

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