It's been Summer for all of an hour and I, a Brit, am already wilting in the heat. I'm hoping to subliminally bring down my core temperature with this blog, so join me for a glass of Pimms boys and girls, as I tell you about the season's most refreshing pursuits.
No longer reserved for pensioners and toddlers - Lidos are having a moment. Conveniently urban, undeniably refreshing and reasonably priced, you can spend hours lounging by the waters edge without fear of the tide coming in. Fling on your shades and feel like a silver screen star as you strut around the Lido in Cheltenham's Sandford Park. Unlike many others, this pool is heated to 21° so you won't need your thermals to go for a dip.
Another gem is Ilkley Lido in West Yorkshire. With a view of the rolling hills in the distance, this is one of the most picturesque outdoor pools in the country. Here, the water temperature reflects the weather so on a hot day it can reach 24° - positively mediterranean.
If you've ever wanted salty, surfer hair, but like me, you're too wussy to go in the sea, you should head to the sea pool in Bude. All the fun of swimming in the big blue without having to dip a toe in it. This is basically a giant infinity pool right on the beach - it gets topped up with seawater twice a day.
And if you happen to live in the almost entirely landlocked county of Cheshire, your surfer hair dreams need not go unfulfilled - just go for a plunge in Nantwich brine pool. The super concentrated salt water makes it easy to float so you can totally relax, plus, it's good for the skin. What's not to love?
If you're fond of sand dunes and salty air - you might as well stay in London because from Saturday 26th July to Saturday 23rd August, there'll be a pop-up beach at Camden Roundhouse. 150 tonnes of golden sand is imported to surround a swimming pool, a fish and chip shop and a cocktail bar, plus a multitude of end-of pier amusements and even a roof garden.
And, if you fancy the idea of a pop-up beach, but you'd appreciate the sunshine being a bit more consistent, you could head to the Seine-side in Paris. They've been transforming the banks of their famous river into sandy shores since 2002. Not only can you take in the sights of the French capital from your deckchair, you can enjoy concerts, play beach volleyball and even go paddle boating. Open 8am till midnight from July 20th.
Closer to home there are plenty of gorgeous spots to head for a paddle. For chocolate box charm you can't beat Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire. People flock to the river banks in summer to lounge under the willow trees and dangle their feet into the shallow water - bliss.
Scotland's abundance of lochs and rivers means you'll never be short of somewhere gorgeous to take a dip, but just look at this picture of The Faerie Pools off the Isle of Skye's River Brittle. They have incredibly clear, crystal-like water, and although cold, make for a magical wild swimming experience.
Picture credits:
Cheltenham Lido (https://witness.theguardian.com/assignment/51dcf7e3e4b0b7810a937e88/428876)
Ilkley Lido (http://theculturevulture.co.uk/blog/radar/whats-on-this-weekend/vagabonds-breakfast-club-presents-pool-bbq-party-at-ilkley-lido/)
Bude Sea Pool (http://www.itsmymarket.com/photos/view.php?photocomp=1&photo=3010)
Nantwich Brine Pool (http://www.mumsintheknow.co.uk/didsbury/2014/05/17/how-far-will-you-travel-for-a-paddle/)
Camden Beach (http://inhabitat.com/camden-beach-is-a-sandy-manmade-beach-in-the-middle-of-london/)
Paris Plage http (://www.worldnewsmania.com/tag/paris-plage/)
Bourton-on-the-Water (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/9555631/Debate-Is-artificial-grass-ever-acceptable.html)
Skye Faerie Pools (http://shutupandtakemethere.com/the-fairy-pools-isle-of-skye-scotland.html)
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