Swimming

Open Water Swimming

At the core of what we offer at Court Farm Lakes is our love for open water swimming - year-round and in most weathers!

Our hour-long slots give you an hour to enjoy being in and around the water, with the option to enjoy our other on-site facilities such as the cafe during and after your timed slot. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, so you can swim with your furry friend. Please note - we do not have private changing rooms so you may want to bring a robe or similar to change under.

Prebooking is essential, especially during the busy warmer months, as we limit our on-site numbers to keep a peaceful atmosphere.

A few safety notes:

All swimmers must wear a tow float at all times in the water. We have these available to hire for a small charity donation, or you can purchase your own from our on-site shop.
For any after-dark swims a headtorch and/or tow float light are required

Members Open Water Swim Sessions >

Drop-in Open Water Swim Sessions >

Clothing Optional Swimming

We also offer clothing-optional sessions for those who prefer to swim au naturel! We have a dedicated skinny dipping lake at the far end of the site, offering greater privacy. There is a storage chest on the bank to keep your robes and clothes dry to walk around the site.

A few safety notes:

All swimmers must wear a tow float at all times in the water. We have these available to hire for a small charity donation, or you can purchase your own from our on-site shop.
For any after-dark swims a headtorch and/or tow float light are required

Clothing Optional Swims >

Clothing Optional Sauna >

Social Groups

We’re passionate about building a fun, friendly community, and if you are looking for a swim buddy feel free to ask one of our staff to introduce you to a friendly regular. We also host a number of social swim groups to help you get to know people in a safe, friendly space. Our hosted social groups include your first 6 swims for free, so you can try it out before purchasing a membership.

Wild Water Women - Women's Swim Group >

Chilly Bits and Talking Sh*t - Men's Swim Group >

Queer Waters - LGBTQI+ Swim Group >

You can always find swim buddies at:

Forest of Dean Bluetits - Wild swim network >

Inductions & Coaching

New to open water swimming or looking to build confidence? Join our relaxed, supportive introductory sessions, led by one of our trained and experienced open-water swimmers. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills to enjoy outdoor swims safely - wherever and whenever you go.

In our winter cold-water inductions you will learn more about the body's response to cold water and how to adapt to the Winter season. You’ll also learn about the science of the benefits of cold water immersion and breathing techniques.

In our summer open-water inductions we’ll cover essential topics like safety, kit and equipment, cold-water shock, types of venues and different bodies of water, and post-swim warm up and recovery.

All our inductions include plenty of time for questions, and we’ll finish with a dip (or swim, depending on the temperature) and a warm drink from our lovely lakeside café is included in the price.

Cold Water Induction >