Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-woman-wild-swimming-vitalii-khodzinskyi-b1XtV_KQmtI-unsplash_Fotor.jpg" alt="woman wild swimming vitalii-khodzinskyi-b1XtV_KQmtI-unsplash" class="wp-image-107440" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-woman-wild-swimming-vitalii-khodzinskyi-b1XtV_KQmtI-unsplash_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-woman-wild-swimming-vitalii-khodzinskyi-b1XtV_KQmtI-unsplash_Fotor-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-woman-wild-swimming-vitalii-khodzinskyi-b1XtV_KQmtI-unsplash_Fotor-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-woman-wild-swimming-vitalii-khodzinskyi-b1XtV_KQmtI-unsplash_Fotor-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-woman-wild-swimming-vitalii-khodzinskyi-b1XtV_KQmtI-unsplash_Fotor-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-woman-wild-swimming-vitalii-khodzinskyi-b1XtV_KQmtI-unsplash_Fotor-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/00-woman-wild-swimming-vitalii-khodzinskyi-b1XtV_KQmtI-unsplash_Fotor-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Vitalii Khodzinskyi for Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



<p>When the heat is on, where to cool off.</p>



<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>



<p>The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lidobristol.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">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.  </p>



<p>The heated 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 Lido</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 Lido</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>. </p>



<p>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></p>



<p>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); we&#8217;ll keep you posted if it re-opens.</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/06/00-image-from-rawpixel-id-3339283-original.jpg" alt="lake" 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.jpg 1500w, 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-1000x750.jpg 1000w, 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" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rawpixel </figcaption></figure>



<p>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 swim and dive on Tuesdays from 31 March until the end of Sept 2026.   </p>



<p><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. <a href="https://westonmarinelake.co.uk/water-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Check water quality here.</a></p>



<p><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.  </p>



<p><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. <a href="https://clevedonmarinelake.org.uk/visit-us/water-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Check water quality here. </a></p>



<p>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. <a href="https://westonmarinelake.co.uk/water-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Check water quality here. </a></p>



<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="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/water-slide-april-walker-_kZLSblsuKI-unsplash.jpg" alt="water slide" class="wp-image-117225" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/water-slide-april-walker-_kZLSblsuKI-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/water-slide-april-walker-_kZLSblsuKI-unsplash-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/water-slide-april-walker-_kZLSblsuKI-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/water-slide-april-walker-_kZLSblsuKI-unsplash-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/04/water-slide-april-walker-_kZLSblsuKI-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">April Walker, Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



<p>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 (open during the summer months). Do more of the same at the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ultimateslipnslide" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ultimate Slip n Slide</a>, near Frome (open from May).</p>



<p>Bounce around on the floating obstacle course on lakes with the ruins of Corfe Castle as the backdrop at <a aria-label="Dorse (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.dorsetadventurepark.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dorset Adventure Park</a> (season starts 2 May). There&#8217;s a mud course too if you want to get really, really dirty, plus a Splash Castle and sauna.</p>



<p>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 aria-label="Splashdown Water Park (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.splashdownwaterparks.co.uk/poole/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Splashdown Water Park</a> in Poole.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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+</p>



<p>A little further afield in Cirencester,<a href="https://cotswoldlakes.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Cotswolds Lakes</a> (formerly the Cotswold Water Park) will keep everyone busy with a huge inflatable village plus  waterskiing, speed rides on inflatable doughnuts and bananas, sailing,  swimming and wakeboarding.</p>



<p>Another whopper, the&nbsp;<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.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/best-bluebell-walks-somerset-dorset-bristol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The best bluebell-spotting woodland walks near you</a></li>



<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/coastal-walks-somerset-amp-dorset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seaview strolls! 5 coastal walks in Somerset &amp; Dorset</a></li>



<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/some-like-it-hot-the-best-outside-saunas-near-you/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Some like it hot! The best outside saunas near you</a></li>
</ul>


Come on in the water’s lovely! The best local outdoor swim spots

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