If you like the idea of wild swimming but aren’t so keen on the teeth-chattering temperatures, we’ve got just the thing for you. There’s now a project underway to bring a complex of lovely, warm geothermal swimming pools to Gloucestershire.
The Stroud Waters project has laid out plans for naturally heated pools at Court Farm in King’s Stanley. They would be filled with safe, clean water, one naturally heated by extracting water from a geothermal well and the other left to change temperature with the seasons. They’ll both be naturally filtered by aquatic plants and biofiltration systems.
On top of the pools, planners envision a sauna, changing rooms, showers, a wellbeing space and a play area.
The pools aren’t officially happening yet, though. Before any digging starts, the people behind the idea need to raise £36,000 to carry out a feasibility study.
The study would evaluate the geothermal infrastructure of Court Farm, make sure that the quality of water meets UK bathing standards and consider how the pools would affect local biodiversity.
If all of those things check out, the project will be presented to Stroud District Council for a pre-application consultation in the summer. If that goes to plan, it’s hoped the pools could be ready by 2026.
So far, just over £27,000 has been raised thanks to donations from the local community and £10,000 pledges from Stroud District Council and renewable heating company, Thermal Earth. You can find its crowd-funder here.
Swimming alfresco with Time Out
From cities to the seaside and rooftops to country parks, these are 18 of the very best. And if you want balmy temperatures guaranteed, these are the best heated outdoor pools in the country. There’s also these beautiful swim-friendly lakes and rivers, perfect for a wilder dip and this abandoned reservoir in northern England that could be turned into a heated pool.
ICYMI: Birmingham is officially one of Time Out’s best places to visit in Europe in 2025.
Plus: This dazzlingly futuristic football stadium is coming to England.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.