Forget doing lengths in a crowded pool. Open water swimming is the best way to get your swim on this summer.
What’s more, swimming outdoors helps you reconnect with nature, improve your fitness and escape from the stresses of day-to-day life. From scenic lakes to urban quays, there are plenty of ways to dip your toe into the world of open water swimming in and around Manchester. Here’s a round up of the best outdoor swim spots.
Uswim
Credit: Uswim
With locations at Salford Quays, Boundary Park and The Mere, Uswim is one of the biggest names in Manchester’s open water swimming scene. Whether you go for Salford’s urban landscape or prefer leafy Cheshire surrounds, you’re guaranteed an invigorating dip with a real community spirit.
You can dive in at one of their bi-weekly swims, or sign up for an Introduction to Open Water session for a hands-on experience. There’s also coaching and 1-2-1 tuition available, so you can perfect your technique and take your stroke to the next level.
When? Between May 1st and September 21st there are sessions at Salford Quays from 5pm to 7:30pm on Wednesdays and from 8am to 11am on Saturdays; Boundary Water Park sessions take place from 5pm to 7:30pm on Thursdays and from 10am to 1pm on Sundays and The Mere sessions take place from 5:30pm to 7:30pm on select Tuesdays during the summer.
Where? Dock 9, The Quays, Salford, Manchester, M50 3AZ, The Mere Golf Resort & Spa, Chester Road, Mere, Knutsford, WA16 6LJ & Boundary Water Park, London Road, Allostock, Cheshire, CW4 8HT.
Find out more: uswimopenwater.com
The Farm Club
Set within 300 acres of leafy Cheshire countryside, The Farm Club is a blissful escape dedicated to wellness. Offering everything from yoga to Hyrox, you can tailor your visit to be as intense or as laidback as you wish, while surrounding yourself with a supportive community.
The open water swimming takes place three times a week in Pickmere Lake, serving up an invigorating experience for swimmers of all abilities. For a really revitalising swim, try out their Wake & Shake sessions, which combine yoga, breathwork and open water swimming.
When? From 6:30pm to 7pm on Thursdays, 8am to 9:30am on weekends.
Where? Mere View Farm, Park Lane, Pickmere, Knutsford, WA16 0LG.
Find out more: thefarmclub.co.uk
Manley Mere
Over in Frodsham, Manley Mere is a popular destination for open water swimming, and it’s just over an hour from Manchester by car. They host swims four times a week during the summer months, with courses of 250m, 500m and 750m to choose from.
You don’t have to be a member to swim, but if you want to sign up, it drops the cost of your swim sessions to £7.50, and members don’t need to pre-book. Guests have to book and the cost per swim is upped to £10. There’s also paddleboarding, kayaking and more on the lake.
When? Between May and September there are sessions from 5:30pm to 7:30pm on Tuesday and Thursday and from 9am to 10:30am on weekends. Between October and December there are sessions from 11:30am to 1pm on Thursdays and from 9:45 am and 11am on weekends.
Where? Manley Mere, Manley Lane, Frodsham, WA6 0PE.
Find out more: manleymere.co.uk
Wild Shore
Nearby Delamere Forest has its own open water swimming set up. There are three swim sessions per week, each costing £7 per two-hour swim, and you can choose from 200m, 350m and 550m courses. There are safety instructors on SUPs and even a rest pontoon on the longest course.
Without currents or tides to think about, it’s the perfect place for new and experienced swimmers alike to come down and focus on technique. You’ll need to pre-book your session, and swim caps and tow floats are a necessity. Afterwards, refuel in the cafe with a much-needed hot chocolate.
When? From 11am to 7pm on Wednesdays, 10am to 12pm on Saturdays and 5pm to 7pm on Sundays.
Where? Lake Holiday & Sailing Park, Chester Road, Delamere, Northwich, CW8 2JL.
Find out more: wildshoredelamere.co.uk
Alderford Lake
Situated in Whitchurch, Alderford Lake is around an hour and a half’s drive from Manchester, but it’s well worth it when you’re looking for an open water swimming spot. With super flexible timings and extensive opening hours, it’s one of the best value places to take the plunge.
You can turn up and swim at any time during their opening hours, and stay as long as you like! A coaching session is recommended if you’re a first-timer, and it’s well worth forking out £6 for an annual membership, which gets you 20% off each swim and a free hot drink during the winter months.
When? From 9am to 4:30pm daily.
Where? Alderford Lake, Tilstock Road, Whitchurch, SY13 3JQ.
Find out more: alderford.com
Salford Watersports Centre
Salford Watersports Centre is an iconic landmark of Salford Quays, and they offer regular open water swimming all year round. There’s free on-site parking and a Metrolink stop just metres away, making it easy to access – and close to Manchester city centre.
You can choose from 300m or 500m courses, making the splash in regulated waters and supervised by a team of water safety professionals. The Intro to Open Water course is a great place to start, and they host regular stroke-specific workshops where you can get personalised feedback.
When? From 5pm to 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 9:30am to 11:45am on Sundays.
Where? Salford Watersports Centre, 15 The Quays, Salford, M50 3SQ.
Find out more: salfordwatersports.com
Openswim at Sale Water Park
It might be tempting just to dive right in at leafy Sale Water Park, but joining an Openswim session is the safest way to enjoy the water. Led by ultra-qualified instructors – including a World Record holding marathon swimmer – you’ll be in good hands.
They hold sessions four times a week during summer, and you can even take an Introduction to Open Water Swimming course to learn more about the sport. With free parking on-site and the Sale Water Park Metrolink stop right next door, it couldn’t be easier to get to.
When? Sessions take place from 5pm to 8pm on Tuesday & Thursday and 2pm to 5pm on weekends between April and September, with an additional session from 6:30am to 8:30am on Tuesday & Thursday from May onwards.
Where? Sale Water Park, Rifle Road, Sale, M33 2LX.
Find out more: openswim.org.uk
