Best Outdoor Swimming spots in Manchester and Cheshire
Wild swimming has gained in popularity over recent years. Whilst we know that getting into a freezing cold lake, unsure what's beneath your feet or what you're gulping in, isn't for everyone, the heatlh and wellbeing benefits of open water swimming have been well documented. There are some really beautiful spots in and around Manchester. Most are easy to find and with sessions starting at around £7, we think its an affordable activity. Here's our low-down of the best open water swimming spots across Manchester and neighbouring Cheshire.
Salford Quays
15 The Quays, Salford M50 3SQ
Salford Watersports Centre offers Open Water Swimming all year round, providing a friendly and supportive environment for supervised swimming. It offers regulated water quality, warm showers/changing rooms and professional coaching from Swimming Matters.
The current timetable ( May - September) offers sessions on: Thursdays 17:00 – 20:00, Sundays 09:30 – 11:45, Tuesday evenings (from May) 17:00 - 20:00. Prices start from £6.50.
New to open water swimming then why not try the beginner-friendly Intro session which teaches you everything you need to know to swim safely outdoors, from basic techniques to learning how to stay calm and controlled in an open water setting. No wetsuit? No problem, these are included free of charge for the intro session. Price £27 per person.
There are also a variety of coaching sessions available designed to support all abilities, from complete beginners to experienced swimmers preparing for events. Sessions are led by qualified coaches, helping develop skills in a safe and supportive environment. All coaches are Swim England/BTF Level 2 qualified in open water and triathlon coaching, Check out the website for more information.
The Farm Club
Mere View Farm, Park Ln, Pickmere, Knutsford WA16 0LG
This is a very special, family run place located in the heart of 300 acres of the beautiful Cheshire countryside within Mere View Estate. The Farm Club believe that health and wellbeing are multi-dimensional; encompassing experiences, emotions, and moments and actively encourage visitors to embrace a personal wellness journey by indulging in The Farm Club's amenities with wild swimming, yoga, breathwork, cold water immersion, sound bath and much more, all designed to be inspiring, relaxing and unforgettable experiences.
Open Water Swimming at The Farm Club is a very safe and secure environment. Whether a novice, training for your first event, a seasoned professional or simply just a dipper be rest assured, with safety instructors and experienced coaches on SUP boards, mandatory registration, distance markers in the water and experienced coaches, safety is a top priority.
Open Water Swimming (Apr-Sep) - 1 hour 30 minutes @ £9.00
Secret Lake Levenshulme
Nelstrop Rd N, Stockport M19 3WH
This wild open water swimming urban oasis is so secret that it’s labelled on Google maps as ‘Secret Lake’! Don’t let the neighbouring rubbish tip and large industrial estate neighbours deter you. The lake was dredged by the local community over 8 years ago and they’re still actively invested, organising regular litter picking sessions to keep the area clean.
Whilst swimming isn’t officially managed here, you’ll find loyal open water swimmers here all year round. If you get lucky you might spot one of the family of swans who live on the lake or the occasional heron who takes nest there. There's also the opportunity of fishing if that's what takes your fancy.
You can access the lake from either the Fallowfield Loop, or from a footpath on Sandfold Lane, though the Fallowfield Loop approach.
Follow and join the Levenshulme Secret Lake community group on Facebook which has over 4000 members!
Manley Mere
Manley Ln, Frodsham WA6 0PE
Manley Mere is a family run aqua park in Cheshire, close to Frodsham. Running for 40 years, and once a dairy farm, the land has been converted into a popular lake, aqua park, and fabulously fun adventure trail nestled in amongst 18 acres of trees and woodland. Open Water swimming is managed by NOWCA – the UK's largest network of open water swimming venues and you can join for £20 per year.
Individual swim £7.50, Children 8 – 15 Years £5.00, Block of 10 swims is £70.
- Summer swim times Sat and Sun 9:30-11am.
- Thursday morning Swim 11:45am-1pm, starting from 14th May
- Evening Swims – every Tuesday 5.30-7.30pm
- Swim & Supper Night 5.30-7.30 last Thursday of the month.
- Swim course 250m, 500m and 750m(this will be reduced during winter months)
- Safety Cover provided
- Must have a bright swim cap or tow float
- Minimum age 8 years with an adult
NOWCA members don’t need to prebook, turn up and pay as you go, if you are not a member you can attend as a one off at the cost of £10.
Lumb Falls near Hebden Bridge
Old Rd, Hebden Bridge HX7 8RG
Lumb Hole Falls is situated 3 miles north of Hebden Bridge at the end of a country lane named Old Road. The very best way to visit the waterfall is via the Lumb Hole Falls Circular Trail – a 9-mile loop which also guides you through the wooded Pennine valley of Hardcastle Crags and over the surrounding open moorlands. If that sounds a bit too much there is a shorter walk with parking at the National Trust car park at Hardcastle Crags.
The secluded Lumb Hole Falls offers pristine pools for swimming amidst the dense woodland. The land is privately owned, and the area has been closed off by the farmer who owns the land in the past due to unruly behaviour and littering, so, make sure you are respectful when visiting.
Getting down to the actual Falls requires a bit of rock climbing/ scrambling down, and doesn’t have disabled access. YHowever you can sit above the falls and watch the water flow into the plunge pool instead and if you don't like cold water, this might be the better option.
Whilst there are no facilities the waterfall it really is a stunning spot for a swim and a chance to connect with nature.
Wildshore Delamere
Chester Road (A556), Oakmere, Northwich, CW8 2JL
Wild Shore Delamere offers a safe and secure environment for open water swimming, making it an ideal place for beginners wanting to try wild swimming near Manchester as well as those training for events or endurance triathlons.
With safety instructors on stand-up paddleboards and rest pontoons are available throughout the course to ensure your well-being, you’ll feel very looked after. They have a 400m and 750m loop available, so you can do as much or as little as you like. Although both swim caps and tow floats are mandatory.
Open water sessions take place on Wednesdays from 5pm to 7pm, Saturdays from 10am to 12pm, and Sundays from 5pm to 7pm.
It costs £7.50 per person, per swim. You must book in advance for any of the swim sessions which can be done on line HERE.
Gaddings Dam, Todmorden
Off Lumbutts Road, opposite the Shepherd’s Rest Inn, Todmorden
It’s not only one of the best wild swimming spots near Manchester, but it’s also the highest. Gaddings Dam is a huge 355 metres above sea level, so it’s dubbed as the highest beach in the UK. For many years Gaddings Dam served as a hidden paradise for locals and visitors in the know, providing gorgeous views, cracking walking trails, a soft and sandy stretch of beach plus one of the best wild swimming spots in the county – it’s no wonder why it continues to grow in popularity.
It’s a great place to swim with clean water and no tides or currents, it is relatively safe but visitors are advised to stay near the walls and not to dive as there are a lot of rocks under the water near the edges and the water can be chilly.