Looking for open water swimming near Manchester? From Salford Quays and Sale Water Park to scenic lakes in Cheshire, these are the best places to swim outdoors in and around the city.
Whether you’re training for a triathlon, trying open water swimming for the first time or simply looking for a refreshing alternative to the pool, you’ll find beginner-friendly sessions, coached swims and dedicated open water venues across Greater Manchester and beyond. Here’s a round up of the best outdoor swim spots in and around Manchester.
Looking for more water activities? Check out our guide to where to go paddle boarding in Manchester.
Quick picks: Where to go open water swimming in & around Manchester
Uswim
Credit: Uswim
With locations at Salford Quays and Boundary Park, Uswim offers one of the most flexible ways to get into open water swimming in Manchester. The choice of venues means you can opt for an urban dock swim close to the city or head out to a quieter countryside location.
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 one-to-one tuition available, so you can perfect your technique and take your stroke to the next level.
When? During summer, 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 5am to 7:30am 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? Uswim, Dock 9, The Quays, Salford, Manchester, M50 3AZ and Boundary Water Park, London Road, Allostock, Cheshire, CW4 8HT.
Best for: Swimmers who want multiple locations and the option to progress from introductory sessions to coaching and one-to-one tuition.
The Farm Club
Set within 300 acres of leafy Cheshire countryside, The Farm Club combines open water swimming with a broader focus on health and wellbeing. Sessions take place in a safe and supportive environment, with experienced coaches and safety instructors on SUP boards on hand throughout.
Alongside regular swims in Pickmere Lake, The Farm Club also runs breathwork and cold-water therapy sessions, making it popular with anyone looking to experience the health benefits of open water as well as improve their swimming. The on-site cafe serves locally roasted coffee and handmade cakes – it’s the perfect spot to relax after your swim.
When? From 6pm to 7:30pm on Thursdays, 8am to 9:30am on weekends.
Where? The Farm Club, Mere View Farm, Park Lane, Pickmere, Knutsford, WA16 0LG.
Best for: Wellness-focused open water swimming.
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. With clearly marked 250m, 500m and 750m courses, it’s a great option whether you’re building confidence in open water or training longer distances.
Swims take place throughout the year, with safety cover provided at every session. NOWCA (National Open Water Coaching Association) members can turn up and swim without pre-booking, while non-members can book individual sessions. There’s also paddleboarding, kayaking and other watersports on offer, making it easy to turn a swim into a full day at the lake.
When? Summer swim sessions take place from 5:30pm to 7:30pm on Tuesdays, from 11:45am to 1pm on Thursdays and from 9:30am to 11am on weekends. There’s also a Swim & Supper evening from 5:30pm to 7:30pm on the last Thursday of each month. Session times may vary during holiday periods.
Where? Manley Mere, Manley Lane, Frodsham, WA6 0PE.
Best for: Distance training.
Wild Shore
Located on the edge of Delamere Forest, Wild Shore offers one of the best beginner-friendly open water swimming experiences near Manchester. Sessions take place in a controlled lake environment, allowing swimmers to focus on technique and endurance without having to contend with tides, currents or boat traffic.
There are three courses to choose from – 200m, 350m and 500m – with safety instructors on SUP boards, additional supervision on shore and a rest pontoon on the longest route. It’s a reassuring place for both beginners and more experienced swimmers to build open water confidence. There’s also wakeboarding, paddleboarding and an aqua park for anyone looking to make a day of it.
When? From 12pm to 7pm on Wednesdays (bookable two hour sessions), 10am to 12pm on Saturdays and 5pm to 7pm on Sundays.
Where? Wild Shore Delamere, Lake Holiday & Sailing Park, Chester Road, Delamere, Northwich, CW8 2JL.
Best for: Open water swimming beginners.
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. Unlike many venues that operate fixed sessions, swimmers can arrive at any point during opening hours and stay in the water for as long as they like.
The lake is open year-round and is well equipped for regular swimmers, with changing facilities, showers, lockers and wetsuit hire available on site. Water quality is regularly tested against industry bathing standards, while tow floats are mandatory for all swimmers. If you’re new to open water swimming, coaching sessions are available through SW Sports Performance, helping swimmers build confidence and learn the differences between pool and open water swimming.
When? From 9am to 4:30pm daily. There’s no need to book a time slot – just buy a swimming pass and arrive when it’s best for you.
Where? Alderford Lake, Tilstock Road, Whitchurch, SY13 3JQ.
Best for: Swimming on your own schedule.
Salford Watersports Centre
If you’re looking for open water swimming without leaving the city, Salford Watersports Centre is one of the most accessible options near Manchester. Located at Salford Quays, just a short walk from MediaCity and the Metrolink, it’s an ideal choice for fitting a swim around work or weekend plans.
The centre offers supervised open water swimming from April to October, with safety cover provided by a dedicated water safety team. Swimmers can choose between 300m and 500m courses during the summer season, making it suitable for both shorter training sessions and longer endurance swims.
When? From 5pm to 8pm on Thursdays and from 9:30am to 11:45am on Sundays.
Where? Salford Watersports Centre, 15 The Quays, Salford, M50 3SQ.
Best for: After-work and weekend swims in an iconic urban setting.
Openswim at Sale Water Park
It might be tempting to dive straight into Sale Water Park, but Openswim UK offers far more than a place to swim. Led by one of the most experienced open water coaching teams in the North West, it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to improve their technique, build confidence or train for a specific event.
From first-timers to triathlon preppers, everyone is welcome, with the team providing coaching and structured support alongside regular swim sessions. Amongst the coaches are world-record-holding marathon swimmers, Swim England-qualified open water coaches and athletes who have experience of completing some of the UK’s most gruelling endurance swims.
When? Sessions take place from 6:30am to 8:30am and 5pm to 8pm on Tuesday & Thursday and 2pm to 5pm on weekends between April and September.
Where? Openswim UK, Sale Water Park, Rifle Road, Sale, M33 2LX.
Best for: Structured swim coaching.
