Grab the sun cream, pack your cozzies and get ready to make a splash in Gloucestershire while the sun's out!
From historic lidos and outdoor swimming spots to kid-friendly splash pads and playgrounds, SoGlos handpicks 10 of the county's finest watery attractions to visit this summer.
Splash pool at Cattle Country Farm Park
Round off a fun day on the farm by making waves in Cattle Country's splash pool, open from May to September every year. The Berkeley attraction also has its own boating lake that visitors can row around and beach-themed play barn for sandcastle building — making it a popular sunny day out destination for families.
Sandford Parks Lido in Cheltenham
One of Gloucestershire's hottest spots for an outdoor dip, Sandford Parks Lido boasts an Olympic-size, 50-metre pool — making it one of the largest outdoor swimming pools in the UK. There's also a smaller, shallow children's pool with a slide, which is safe for little ones to splash around.
Stratford Park Lido in Stroud
The beloved Stratford Park Lido is another of Gloucestershire's historic outdoor pools and a firm favourite with local swimmers and sunbathers. Anyone hoping to take an alfresco dunk can enjoy the lido for longer this year, too, with opening extended until Sunday 17 September 2023.
Welly Boot Land at Slimbridge Wetland Centre
Slimbridge Wetland Centre's popular Welly Boot Land adventure playground provides plenty of splash-tastic fun for kids who love water play. Recently revamped for 2023, the new and improved play area features bouncy lily pads and crawl-through log tunnels, as well as its ever-popular streams, dams and water fountain — perfect for cooling down on a hot day!
Bathurst Pool in Lydney
Dubbed one of the county's best-kept secrets, Bathurst Pool is a 38-metre outdoor swimming pool in the Forest of Dean town of Lydney. Open for public swims every summer, it also runs a very popular summer solstice swim, where early birds can take to the water as the sun rises on the longest day of the year.
Cirencester Open Air Pool
Cool off in the natural spring waters of Cirencester Open Air Pool, one of the oldest outdoor swimming pools in the UK. At just over 27 metres, the main pool is perfect for practicing your lengths, while the children's pool is shallow enough for little ones to play safely. There's also a large patio for sun-worshippers to top up their tans.
Wotton Pool
Wotton Pool is ideal for a dip when the weather isn't playing ball, with a retractable roof that can be drawn back for open-air swimming or closed when the temperature drops. Located in Wotton-under-Edge, it's open every day of the summer for public swims and offers a series of swimming lessons for children on Saturday mornings, too.
Splash pad at Leisure at Cheltenham
Though indoors, Leisure at Cheltenham's lively splash pad promises puddles of fun for smaller children, with a number of water play activities and toys to help build their confidence in the water. Recommended for children up to six years old, one hour sessions are available to book online.
Cotswold Country Park and Beach
Just as good as being by the seaside on a sunny day, Cotswold Country Park and Beach is home to the largest inland sandy beach in the UK. Sink your toes in the sand and catch some rays on the beach, go for a paddle in the swimming lagoon or take on the action-packed AquaVenture inflatable obstacle course. There's even barbecues available to hire!
Chipping Norton Lido
Promising an 'oasis of calm' in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, the Chippy Lido is just a short drive from Gloucestershire and offers a 25-metre heated pool for summertime swims, a small children's paddling pool and a shaded, tree-lined lawn for unwinding on a hot day.
