The UK’s best dips! 2026’s loveliest lidos and outdoor pools

When the temperature soars, there’s no better way to cool off than with a dip in a lido or outdoor pool. If you thought you needed to hop on a flight abroad to enjoy an open-air swim, think again. The UK is home to some fabulous lidos and swimming lakes, and they’re getting more and more popular every year. In fact, UK Google searches for ‘outdoor pools near me’ in 2026 are up 400% compared to 2025.

We’ve analysed more than 160 locations across the UK, ranking each pool against a range of criteria including average Google review score, entry cost, car parking cost and average temperature and hours of sunshine in July.

We’ve also looked at popularity indicators including average monthly Google search volume and number of Instagram and TikTok tags.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing oasis in the middle of the city or a rural sanctuary complete with outstanding views, there’s an outdoor pool for you. All that’s left to do is pack your swimwear and towel, book breakdown cover with long-standing experts The AA, and jump in the car.

 

The UK’s best outdoor pools for summer 2026

 

1. Brockwell Lido, London

With 49,500 monthly Google searches – joint highest in our survey – and more Instagram tags (15,300) than any other outdoor pool, Brockwell Lido’s popularity is undisputed. Set in leafy Brockwell Park in the heart of Brixton, the 50-metre pool is overlooked by Grade II-listed Art Deco buildings, which house changing rooms, poolside terraces and an excellent café. Factor in London's pleasant July weather – bringing average highs of 22°C and around six hours of sunshine a day – and it's easy to see why Brockwell Lido earns its place as the UK's favourite outdoor swimming spot.

2. Stoney Cove, Leicestershire

Renowned for its crystal-clear, spring-fed waters, Stoney Cove is a go-to destination for experienced open-water swimmers, who have given it an average Google review score of 4.5. After tackling the 1,000 metre perimeter course, you can take advantage of the excellent shoreside facilities, including showers, changing rooms and an on-site restaurant. Swimming sessions cost £10 (with free parking), and include a rescue boat and qualified first aiders on constant standby.

3. Tooting Bec Lido, London

Measuring up at 91 metres long, Tooting Bec Lido is the UK’s largest manmade freshwater pool. It’s also one of the oldest lidos in the country, having first opened back in 1906. These days, it’s a favourite with both competitive swimmers (the South London Swimming Club are based here) and those looking for a more leisurely dip, and averages more than 40,000 Google searches a month. The lido is surrounded by the vast greenery of Tooting Bec Common, which offers a scenic backdrop and plenty of room to dry off in the sun.

4. London Fields Lido, London

London Fields is the third lido in the capital to make it in to our overall top five. It ties with Brockwell Lido for the most-searched outdoor pool, with 49,500 monthly Google searches, and scores equally highly for July temperatures and hours of sunshine. The Olympic-sized 50-metre pool is heated year-round and offers a variety of sessions, including lane swimming, family swimming, swimming lessons and women-only sessions. There’s also a dedicated sunbathing areas, plus a café that’s perfect for a post-swim coffee or bite to eat.

5. Clevedon Marine Lake, Somerset

Clevedon Marine Lake is one of the UK's most unique outdoor swimming destinations, offering the chance to swim in the world's largest seawater infinity pool. Opened in 1929 and beautifully restored in 2015, the 15,000-square-metre tidal lake is refreshed by the sea during high spring tides. It’s open year-round and free to access, making it popular with open water swimmers, paddleboarders and kayakers. Furthermore, the spectacular coastal views make it one of Somerset's most picturesque spots, helping to earn it the highest average Google review rating of all the pools in the top five.

 

The best lidos and pools by region

 

Expert advice for keeping cool on the road

Feeling the heat? Take note of these handy tips for keeping cool from AA Patrol of the Year, Lee Morley:

• Use a windscreen shade when parked – because most of the heat enters the car through the glass.

• Put sun shields on the rear side windows – this will help keep the sun off the passengers in the back of the car and will keep some of the heat out.

• Have iced water in the car – this will help keep all passengers refreshed and hydrated throughout the drive.

• Use the air conditioning – driving with the A/C on will help keep the internal temperature of the car nice and cool. If your vehicle doesn’t have this, keep the windows slightly open to allow for air circulation.

• Try to park in the shade – if you stop along your drive, try to find a shady parking spot to avoid the sun heating up the car

• Remotely cool the interior while on charge – if you have a battery electric vehicle, many have an app which allows remote control of the cabin temperature, so you can cool down your vehicle’s interior before you start your journey.

• Ensure you have breakdown cover  – if you don’t, I’d also advise getting some because more car breakdowns occur in the hotter temperatures due to overheating.

Methodology

The AA analysed 161 outdoor pools, lidos and tidal pools from across the UK by comparing: 

• average Google search volume (Google Adwords) 
• average Google review score (Google Reviews)
• number of Instagram and TikTok tags (Instagram, TikTok)
• pool entry cost per adult for a weekend/peak open swim (Individual pool website, or Facebook page)
• car park cost per hour (Pool's own website, JustPark, or Local Council website)
• average hours of sunlight at location in July (Weather2travel, Met Office or Holiday-weather.com)
• maximum daytime temp at location in July in degrees Celsius (Weather2travel) 

Each pool was then evaluated using an index system across these key metrics. A formula was applied to normalise each metric on a scale of 0 to 100. For the Google search volume, Google Review scores, number of Instagram tags, average hours of sunlight and maximum daytime temperature at location, the higher values received higher scores.  For the pool entry cost and car park cost, the lowest costs received the higher scores. The final rankings were determined by averaging these index scores on a scale of 0 to 100, with the highest scoring pool ranked as the ‘best’ overall. Data collected in June 2026.