Ian Brown once famously said that 'Manchester has everything except a beach'. He could have also added that we don't have any outdoor pools or lidos anymore - but that's not quite as succinct.
At one point we did though. There was an open-air swimming pool in Rochdale called the Riviera. Located just off Edenfield Road in Norden, it was dubbed 'Rochdale by the sea' for those who could not afford a trip away to the seaside. Fully heated and equipped with diving boards, slides and spectators stands, it was the place to be.
Other lost water parks and pools include The Galleon in East Didsbury, which was referred to as "Manchester's first outdoor swimming pool", but was demolished in the 1980s, and the Lido in Alexandra Park, which was initially only for the use of men and boys. But thankfully, change is coming. Work is already well underway on the £250m indoor Therme water park next to the Trafford Centre, which will open in 2025.
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Just this week, images were released showing the extraordinary new 'rippled waves' design for the huge waterpark, which will feature 25 pools, 30 water slides - both inside and outside - and a roof terrace, all set within botanical gardens and "living slides" covered in thousands of plants. In the meantime, if you're seeking out respite from the warm weather, you may need to head out a little further to cool down.
The spots below are all under a 90-minute drive from Manchester on a clear run, and might just help you keep cool during the hot days ahead.
Hathersage Swimming Pool, Derbyshire
Welcoming keen swimmers since the 1930s, Hathersage Swimming Pool is right at home amidst the beautiful scenery of the Peak District. Around a 90-minute drive from Manchester, facilities include hot poolside showers, an on-site cafe serving hot meals, snacks, cakes, pastries and drinks, and a play area.
The summer season runs from April 1 to September 30, and admission costs £7.50 for adults, £4 for juniors, £6.50 concessions and £21 for a family ticket. Summer 2023 passes are now also on sale, but all passes must be purchased from the pool office and are priced at £270 for out of area residents. Benefits include unlimited use of the pool throughout the summer or winter season, 48 hours priority booking (every Wednesday) before non members, and season ticket holders are permitted to bring two guests to any season pass holder session.
Oddfellows Rd, Hathersage, Hope Valley S32 1DU
Wild Shore Delamere, Cheshire
If you would rather get stuck into wild water sports and take on Total Wipeout style obstacles, then Wild Shore Delamere might be your bag. Located in rural Cheshire, 12 miles east of Chester, The water-based adventure hub features a world first Aqua Chimp ropes course, an aqua park with floating obstacles, wakeboarding, stand up paddleboarding and open water swimming.
Swimming here is led by safety instructors on SUP boards and features rest pontoons half way round each course, but it is worth noting that swim caps and tow floats are mandatory. Sessions, which must be booked in advance, can be purchased for Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday for £6 per person, per swim. Meanwhile, the aqua park and aqua chimp is priced at £21 per person, single session wakeboarding for £18 and paddleboarding is £21 for an individual session. A full price breakdown can be found here.
Lake Holiday & Sailing Park, Chester Rd, Delamere, Northwich CW8 2JL
Nantwich Outdoor Brine Pool, Cheshire
For those with allergies, Nantwich's brine pool - or saltwater pool - has long been hailed for its health benefits. First opened in 1935, it's one of the few remaining inland brine pools left in the country, and is still supplied by one of the town's natural salt springs. The water is kept at around 24°c - although when the sun shines down it heats gradually to a higher temperature.
The pool is open from April to October, with a timetable of morning and afternoon public swims and adults only sessions. The pool is open 6am-10pm Monday to Friday and 8am - 6.30pm Saturday and 8.30am - 6.15pm on Sunday. The pay-as-you-go price for a general swim is £6.85 for adults, £18 for family swim and £10.50 for adult and junior swim.
Wall Ln, Nantwich CW5 5LS
Uswim at Salford Quays
If you fancy a swim in Salford waters then head to Uswim at Salford Quays. Uswim host guided open swimming sessions on Wednesdays, 5.30-7.30pm, and Saturdays, 8-11am, in the water just outside Media City. If you pay in advance, a session will only cost £7 online, while pay-on-the-day is priced at 10 for adults and £5 for under 16s.
At the venue they'll sort you out with all the open water essentials to get you swimming including a warming wetsuit, silicone swim cap and crystal clear goggles, all of which can be hired. Adult hire is priced £10, plus a £20 deposit, while for those age 7-15yrs, its £5 plus a £15 deposit. Uswim also offer 'Open Water Intros' for aspiring open water swimmers to get the best - and safest - start to their swim journeys, for £45 which includes a silicone swim cap, Uswim goody, earplugs and expert tuition.
Dock 9, Media City, Salford Quays M50 3AZ
Hall Leys Park, Matlock
Open all year round and free to visit, Hall Leys Park located in the centre of Matlock, Derbyshire is listed as one of the leading parks the UK, has received a number of Green Flag awards, and has a variety of family-friendly things to do. While it doesn't feature a full-sized pool, there is a splash pool for younger kids and fountains - all set within the lovely surroundings of the park.
Other facilities include bowling greens, tennis courts, a miniature railway, a children’s play area with some accessible play equipment and a boating lake where you can rent boats for a small fee. There's also a cafe to grab a bite to eat or get a drink and new toilet block was added a few years back.
Hall Leys Park, Causeway Lane, Matlock, DE4 3AR
Marbury Pool, Cheshire
This open-air pool nestled within the grounds of Marbury Country Park near Northwich has been in existence since the 1930s. originally built for members of Marbury Hall Country Club, the pool was owned for many years by the ICI, and since the 1970s operated by a volunteer-run members’ club. It's worth noting that this pool is for members and guests only and no day passes are sold so you will need to join to visit this pool.
Set within gardens and surrounded by woodlands, the pool is unheated and features two diving boards and a children's paddling pool. There are also picnic tables, and drinks and snacks can be bought at the small shop at the gate. Marbury Pool offers both Season Pass Membership and Pay-As-You-Go Membership, details of which can be found here.
Marbury Country Park, Marbury Rd, Comberbach CW9 6AT
Happy Mount Park, Morecambe
Open from May through to September, Happy Mount Park's Splash Park is a lovely place to take kids on a sunny day. The colourful interactive play area has multiple water jets activated by buttons, so children of all abilities are able to activate the sensor operated water jets. And the splash park is built on an outdoor soft play surface, so wheelchair users can access the fun too.
The Splash Park costs just £1 per person and is opening Friday to Monday during term time and then daily during the school holidays. Sessions can be booked in advance on the day and customers will be provided with a date stamped coloured wristband after booking at the park kiosk. In between splash sessions you can grab a drink and ice cream at one of the ice cream vans located throughout the park, while snacks, hot drinks and picnic food can be purchased in the park cafe.
Marine Rd E, Morecambe LA4 6AQ
Ilkley Pool and Lido
If you live on the northern side of Greater Manchester, it's just over an hour on a clear run to Ilkley and it's pool and lido. One the few working lidos within reach of Manchester, the facilities here are open in summer time from 27 May though to 3 September. Swim wear, towels, goggles, arm bands and sun cream are all available to buy from reception, while balls, floats and pool toys can be purchased from the café.
Peak time prices (Monday to Friday, 10am-6pm, weekends and bank holidays 10am-4.30pm) range from £9.50 for adults, to £4.90 for juniors and senior citizens. Off peak prices (Monday to Friday, before 10am and after 6pm, weekends and bank holidays, before 10am and after 4.30pm), are priced at £5.60 for adults and £2.90 for juniors and seniors.
Denton Rd, Ilkley LS29 0BZ
Sale Water Park
There's a waterpark our doorstep, which is a haven on hot days and a paradise for watersports enthusiasts. Sale Water Park opened in 1979 and the lake was actually formed by filling in a gravel pit, which had been excavated for the construction of the motorway. Today, Today it’s the home of Trafford Water Sports Centre, which offers lessons in everything from kayaking to stand-up paddle boarding.
If you fancy a dip in the lake’s cooling waters, you can book slots with Open Swim, which also offers lessons. But, it is important to note that swimming at Sale Water Park is only permitted at specific sessions. Swim passes start at £35 for four swims and go up to £75 for 12 swims, while one month of unlimited swimming is priced at £80, and lessons start at £70 and run to £120 for a 2-2-1 plan.
Rifle Rd, Sale M33 2LX
Manley Mere, Frodsham
Yes, another aquapark in Cheshire, but this time it's in Frodsham, and promises 'an aquatic adventure like no other'. Think huge inflatable climbing walls, giant trampolines, and challenging balance beams, and you have Manley Mere, the biggest of its kind in the north west - and it's only an hour down the road from Manchester.
There's a whole host of activities on offer here on top of the aqua park including water sport lessons, kids parties, open water swimming, and an adventure trail too. For those booking onto the aqua park, the minimum age is 7 years and anyone under the age of 14 must be supervised by an adult 17 years or above on the water. Tickets can be purchased for £25pp and include wetsuit and buoyancy aid for 50 minutes on the water. A £2 car park applies, so make sure to bring change. And if you're sitting it out on the side-lines, there's the Chameleon Cafe Bar serving up delicious snacks and cakes.
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