Family / Swimming
6 places to take the whole family swimming
Whether your family are true water babies or just want to splash around in the shallows, find a space to enjoy swimming on a hot summer’s day.
Bristol South Swimming Pool
Bristol South Swimming Pool featured in an episode of TV show Sherlock
Swim under the vaulted roof of Grade II-listed Bristol South Swimming Pool, which opened in 1931. From up on the balcony you get a great view of the pool, which has also been used as a film set.
David Lloyd
David Lloyd leisure centre in Westbury-on-Trym has an outdoor pool
On sunny days, nothing beats swimming outdoors. If you don’t know anyone with a membership to Henleaze Lake, David Lloyd in Westbury-on-Trym is just around the corner and has an outdoor pool that is open all year round.
St Andrew’s Park
St Andrew’s Park’s Victorian public paddling pool is the last remaining one in the city
Leafy St Andrew’s Park is home to Bristol’s last public paddling pool. It has now reopened after repairs and is a great place to splash around and cool off.
Easton Leisure Centre
Easton Leisure Centre’s flume makes for a fun swimming session
Make your way up the big blue staircase to the top of the flume at Easton Leisure Centre. It’s a wild ride as you slip-slide all the way down, splashing into the warm water at the bottom.
Portishead Lido
The lido in Portishead is at its best on sunny days
Portishead Open Air Pool was almost lost after it closed in 2008, but a group of dedicated volunteers have given the 1960s lido a new lease of life. It’s a little slice of the tropics on a sunny afternoon.
River swimming in the Yeo
The Yeo near Yatton is a cool and clear place for wild swimming
For a real adventure, try a swim or a paddle in the river Yeo near Yatton. It can get a bit weedy in the summer, but the water is cool and clean. Dry off with a picnic on the riverbank.
Read more: Six buggy-friendly walks around Bristol
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