Outdoor Swimming Pools

Outdoor Swimming Pools

Honesty first: the North East was never blessed with the lido culture you find further south, and most of our traditional outdoor pools closed decades ago. What we do have are a small handful of genuinely lovely spots, from a heated open air pool tucked into the Durham Dales to organised open water sessions on some of Northumberland's prettiest lakes. A little more planning is required than simply turning up, but the reward is well worth it.

Haltwhistle Swimming & Leisure Centre

This is probably the North East's best kept secret for a proper outdoor pool day, and many locals simply call it "the lido". Set in Hadrian's Wall country, it has three heated outdoor pools, a 25 metre main pool, a learner pool and a paddling pool for toddlers, plus a giant flume that runs at intervals throughout the day. Your entry fee covers unlimited access all day, including the adventure play area and picnic space, so you can genuinely make a full day of it.

• Where: Greencroft, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, NE49 9DW

• When: Seasonal, usually mid-April to early September. Weekday hours tend to run 9am to 9pm, weekends 10am to 4pm, though swim session times vary, so check the timetable before travelling.

• Cost: Around £9.50 for adults, £7.50 for children, £4 for under 5s and £2.50 for spectators, though prices are reviewed each season

• Good to know: It gets busy on hot days, and reviews suggest booking your slot online in advance rather than risking a wait at the door. The pools are heated but the water still cools quickly once the sun goes in, so bring warm layers for afterwards.

  
  

David Lloyd Newcastle/Sunderland (members)

Not a public option, but worth a mention for anyone already weighing up membership, or considering it for the summer. David Lloyd's South Gosforth club recently had its outdoor pool completely rebuilt, and it's now genuinely one of the nicest heated outdoor pools in the North East, with a sun terrace, loungers and a separate splash pool for younger children.

• Where: Castle Farm Road, South Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 1SN

• When: Outdoor pool usable year-round when heated, though obviously at its best in summer. Club opening hours run 6am to 10pm weekdays, 7am to 9pm weekends.

• Cost: Membership only, with rates from around £139 to £194 a month depending on the tier, plus family and flexible options

• Good to know: Non-members can usually arrange a guest visit or a club tour, worth asking about if you're curious before committing to membership

  
  

Stanhope (Weardale) Open Air Swimming Pool

The only heated open air swimming pool in County Durham, set among the hills of Weardale in the North Pennines, with water warmed to a properly tropical 30 degrees. It's a charity-run community pool with a real sense of history, first opened back in 1974, complete with a slide, a diving board and a warm toddler pool.

• Where: Castle Park, Stanhope, County Durham, DL13 2LU

• When: Normally open late May to early September. Please note the pool has faced extended closures for essential safety works in recent years, so it is genuinely worth checking their website or Facebook page for current opening status before making the journey.

• Cost: Modest admission charge, check current pricing online

• Good to know: There's a café, a hot sauna, changing rooms with hot showers and picnic tables on site

  
  

Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, Ashington

Individual swimming isn't permitted in this 16-hectare lake, but from May to July it hosts organised open water swim training sessions on Thursday evenings, run by VO2 Max Racing Events and suitable for everyone from complete beginners to seasoned triathletes.

• Where: Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 9AT

• When: Thursday evenings, spring through mid-summer, seasonal

• Cost: Sessions are paid and must be booked in advance online

• Good to know: Wetsuits are compulsory, and children aged 15 and under need written parental consent plus a nominated responsible adult in the water with them

  
  

Sweethope Lough, near Hexham

Sweethope's Great Lough, set in beautiful Northumberland countryside, is home to H2oTrails, a dedicated open water swimming venue offering everything from beginner coaching to membership swims. The lough shelves gently, so you can stand whenever you need to, and it's a genuinely welcoming spot for anyone nervous about their first proper open water swim.

• Where: Sweethope Lough, near Hexham, Northumberland, NE19 2PN

• When: Seasonal, spring through autumn, with regular lifeguarded swim sessions once you've completed introductory coaching

• Cost: Coaching and membership prices vary, details on the H2oTrails website

• Good to know: They also run ice swimming sessions through the colder months, for the properly hardy