Whether you’re after a refreshing dip on a hot summer’s day, looking for somewhere spectacular to unwind, or simply want to make a day of it, the UK has plenty of pools worth travelling for. There are rooftop pools with skyline views, luxurious hotel escapes, heated outdoor pools, and natural swimming spots surrounded by some seriously beautiful scenery.
From views overlooking London to countryside retreats and Cornish clifftops, these are 10 of the best pools in the UK for making a splash.
The Best Pools For Swimming In The United Kingdom
1. Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire
Address:
Eynsham Park, North Leigh, Witney, OX29 6PN
Best for: Riviera-style relaxation
For a taste of the Riviera without leaving the Oxfordshire countryside, head to Estelle Manor, a Grade-II listed country house set on an expansive estate. Its 25-metre outdoor pool sits on a sun-soaked terrace overlooking the gardens, surrounded by comfy loungers, handcrafted umbrellas, and a chic poolside bar. You can spend the whole day here swimming, sipping something cold, and pretending you’re in the Mediterranean.
Have a royal soak in this stunning estate.
2. Shrigley Hall, Cheshire
Address: Pott Shrigley, Macclesfield, Cheshire,
SK10 5SB
Best for: A relaxing spa break
Shrigley Hall’s BAZAAR spa is a tranquil
countryside retreat, with a heated infinity pool kept at a balmy
38°C . Spend the
day floating in the warm water, stretching out on a lounger,
warming up beside the fire pit, or simply soaking up the peaceful
views. Pool and spa access is available to both hotel guests and
day visitors, but must be pre-booked.
Rejuvenate among the sprawling grounds of Shrigley Hall and its spa.
3. Carbis Bay Hotel, Cornwall
Address: Carbis Bay, St Ives,
Cornwall, TR26 2NP
Best for: Sea views
It’s hard to imagine a better backdrop for a swim than
the Cornish coast. Carbis Bay Hotel is a five-star
hotel that sits high above St Ives Bay, where its heated outdoor
infinity pool looks out across 125 acres of spectacular coastline.
There’s also a hydrotherapy pool, panoramic cedar sauna, and
landscaped gardens, but sun loungers and champagne make it very
easy to settle in for the day. The views alone are reason enough to
linger.
This stunning pool offers unforgettable views of Carbis Bay.
4. Scarlet Hotel, Cornwall
Address:
Tredragon Road Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, TR8 4BU
Best for: Wild swimming minus the wild
For something even more spectacular, head to
The Scarlet’s natural outdoor pool, where the
water is cleansed by a living reed bed rather than chemicals.
Perched on the Cornish clifftops with sweeping views of the
Atlantic, it’s a wonderfully wild-feeling spot for a dip,
surrounded by rugged coastline and plenty of fresh sea
air. 
The natural swimming pool at the Scarlet Hotel is
cleansed by a living reed bed.
5. The Grove, Hertfordshire
Address: Chandler’s Cross, Hertfordshire, WD3
4TG
Best for: A chic summer day out
Just 18 miles from London, The Grove makes a
convincing case for swapping the city for the countryside. Its
heated outdoor pool sits in the hotel’s walled garden, surrounded
by greenery and a sandy beach area that makes it feel more like a
holiday resort than a hotel pool. Book a spa day and you can make
use of the pool and beach too. It's ideal for a summer day of
swimming, sunbathing, and doing a whole lot of
nothing. 
Take a dip in The Grove's stylish pool or lounge on a luxurious day bed.
6. Updown Farmhouse, Kent
Address: Updown Road, Betteshanger, Deal,
CT14 0EF
Best for: A countryside escape
Set among ancient woodland just outside the seaside
town of Deal, Updown Farmhouse’s heated
pool is a dreamy mix of glamour and quaint countryside living. The
beautiful pool is open year-round and surrounded by trees, making
it an idyllic spot for a day of lounging, dipping, and soaking up
the setting. Hotel guests get pool access throughout their stay and
a limited number of day passes are available to non-residents, with
towels and poolside food and drinks included.
This countryside hotel pool is perfect for a quiet dip.
7. Thermae Bath Spa, Bath
Address:
The Hetling Pump Room, Hot
Bath Street, Bath, BA1 1SJ
Best for: A unique rooftop soak
Float above the rooftops of historic Bath in Britain’s only natural thermal spa. Thermae Bath Spa’s open-air rooftop pool is filled with the same warm, mineral-rich waters enjoyed by the Celts and Romans more than 2,000 years ago, heated naturally to around 35.5°C . With panoramic views of historic rooftops and surrounding hills, it’s a pretty special place for a dip.
Thermae Bath Spa is one of the most iconic spots in the UK for a soak.
8. St Brides Spa Hotel, Pembrokeshire
Address:
St Brides Hill, Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, SA69
9NH
Best for: Coastal relaxation
Perched on the Pembrokeshire coast, St Brides Spa Hotel has a hydrotherapy pool with seriously good sea views. The pool is heated to body temperature, with bubbling jets, a swan-neck fountain, and water recliners designed for maximum relaxation. When the tide is in, the pool’s edge appears to melt into the sea below, creating the illusion that you’re floating right above the water.
Make a splash in this beautiful cliffside infinity pool.
9. art o’tel, London
Address:
1 Electric Boulevard, London, SW11 8BJ
Best for: City glamour
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without a nod to one of the most fabulous pools in the capital. Set on the rooftop of art’otel London, the heated infinity pool comes with sweeping 360-degree views of Battersea Power Station and the London skyline. Open year-round, it’s part pool, part glamorous rooftop hangout, with a bar and restaurant alongside it. You can come for the swim but stay for the views...and perhaps a cocktail or two.
The rooftop of art'otel London is perfect for a chic day out in the capital.
10. The Nici, Bournemouth
Address:
West Hill Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5EJ
Best for: A resort-style escape
Fancy a luxury resort without the flight? The Nici’s 30-metre heated outdoor pool brings a touch of international glamour to Bournemouth’s West Cliff, with sea views, cabanas, loungers and fire pits dotted around the gardens. Open year-round, it’s a sun-soaked spot in summer and a steamy oasis in winter, with the pool area also hosting outdoor classes and yoga.
This vibrant hotel and its pool are inspired by the vibe and culture of Miami.
Need a getaway? Check out the best day trips from London.
