Yahoo Finance 12 of the best hotels in the UK with outdoor pools
- 1/13
12 of the best hotels in the UK with outdoor pools
The hottest time of the year is officially here and, if your plans involve forgoing a trip abroad for a staycation in the UK, there are plenty of desirable hotels complete with outdoor pools for a refreshing dip to choose from this season.
Nestled in glorious settings around England, these British gems will help you recreate a sunshine escape in the likes of Berkshire and Cornwall, without the hassle of navigating flights to the Amalfi Coast or the Greek islands.
Whether at a Cotswold spa hotel, or by the sea in Devon, we can't think of a better way to celebrate the summer months than by indulging in a little R&R - even if the weather isn't on your side, these hotspots have plenty to offer.
Adam Lynk - 2/13
1) Ellenborough Park, Gloucestershire
Ellenborough Park's countryside location makes its 15-metre outdoor swimming pool one we'd happily cool down in on hot summer days. From here, you can take in the views of the picturesque grounds and soak up the Vitamin D on the stone-paved terrace.
Thankfully, this heated pool is a toasty 30C, which makes winter dips (or those rather-too-bracing days a British summer always entails) a treat, too. With this and its excellent spa facilities, it's little wonder that beauty fans flock to this Cheltenham hotel.
There are 90 acres to explore; start the day by borrowing a pair of Dubarry boots for a country walk before retreating to the pool in the afternoon.
Victoria Jones - TWM - 3/13
2) Sidmouth Harbour Hotel & Spa, Devon
With its New England beach house aesthetic, Sidmouth Harbour Hotel & Spa will make you feel like you're abroad. Perched on a hillside near the charismatic Devon seaside town of Sidmouth, this boutique hotel boasts uninterrupted views across Lyme Bay and the magnificent Jurassic Coast.
One place to take it all in? The hotel's heated outdoor swimming pool, lined with chic white loungers.
Before you swim your laps, try joining in with an outdoor sunrise yoga class - the perfect way to start your day. Come evening, you'll want to sip cocktails and dine alfresco while enjoying the views.
Sidmouth Harbour Hotel - 4/13
3) The Bath Priory, Somerset
Close to the centre of the city, The Bath Priory is a haven of lush greenery and sprawling gardens, with an impressive outdoor terrace and heated swimming pool hidden among the trees.
Stretch out on a lounger and unwind with the charming backdrop of the honey-coloured Bath Priory building and gardens surrounding you.
The pool isn't the only alfresco offering during the summer months; there are traditional garden games such as croquet and boules to play, plus picnic hampers crammed full of locally sourced produce for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner.
The Bath Priory - 5/13
4) Mullion Cove Hotel, Cornwall
Soak up the views over the South West Coast Path to the Atlantic at Mullion Cove Hotel, home to an outdoor pool overlooking the sea below. This elegant hotel is perched on a cliff just above Mullion Harbour, providing the pool terrace with magnificent views of the deep blue sea and Mullion Island.
The pool is just part of the hotel's wellness offerings, which include a chic spa (think VOYA and organic Cornish treatments, plus sea views from every space) and activities, such as sea-facing yoga sessions.
If you're looking for a Cornish hotel that embraces its location, this romantic bolthole with a dramatic Lizard Peninsula setting ticks all the boxes.
Courtesy of the hotel - 6/13
5) The Nici, Dorset
A trip to Bournemouth usually means heading straight for its popular sandy beach, but those partial to a dip in a swimming pool will want to check into stylish hotel The Nici, which has brought luxury and a Miami-style vibe to the coastal town.
This five-star hotel is like nothing else in the area and features a kidney-shaped pool with kitsch cabanas, a poolside bar and an outdoor activities centre offering kayaks and paddle boards for guests going down to the beach. There's also poolside yoga and outdoor cinema screenings during the warmer months.
Another 30-metre outdoor infinity-style pool is the latest addition to the hotel, and a rooftop bar and restaurant are in the works.
Courtesy of the hotel - 7/13
6) The Retreat at Elcot Park, Berkshire
Nestled within The Retreat at Elcot Park’s peaceful gardens and overlooking the verdant Kennet Valley, this heated outdoor infinity pool is just the spot for those looking to escape this summer. The pool is complete with designer cabanas and a pool bar, providing a luxurious place to relax in the country.
Housed in a Grade II listed 18th-century building near Newbury, the stylish hotel, from the brand behind The Mitre in Hampton Court, has 55 bedrooms with magnificent grounds to match. Its interiors are the pinnacle of quirky British sensibility and blend the old with the new.
Courtesy of the hotel - 8/13
7) Homewood, Somerset
This eclectic country house hotel in Bath has a refreshing outdoor pool in its 20 acres of rolling West Country grounds. Ideal for when the temperature rises, Homewood's outdoor heated swimming pool is the perfect place to unwind, with cabanas, comfy sun loungers and topiary setting the scene.
For guests who are here to make use of the wellness offerings, a dip in the pool can be combined with a soak in the adjacent hot tub, a swim in the indoor hydrotherapy pool, and some relaxation in the sauna or steam room.
If all that leaves you feeling peckish, the Olio Restaurant is the place to go for simple yet beautifully presented food, made with locally sourced produce.
Courtesy of the hotel - 9/13
8) The Grove, Hertfordshire
Sitting amid 300 acres of verdant Hertfordshire countryside, this five-star hotel with an outdoor pool is close to London while feeling a world away.
The swimming pool is set within The Grove's walled garden, alongside a man-made beach strewn with deckchairs – who needs to head to a crowded seaside spot when you've got it all here?
A serene spot for an outdoor swim, the heated pool is where you can stretch out and soak up the rays on one of the padded sun loungers. There's also the Gazebo serving up drinks in the summer and the Potting Shed overlooking the pool, where you can sink into a comfy armchair with a board game.
The Grove - 10/13
9) Cliveden House, Berkshire
A place that needs no introduction, and one of our personal favourites, Cliveden House is also the setting of arguably the best hotel scandal. It was at its listed swimming pool where John Profumo first laid eyes on Christine Keeler and the infamous Profumo affair began.
Lined with sun loungers and backed by National Trust-worthy floral displays, this is a country hotel swimming pool that's worth a dip - and one we hope that the Duchess of Sussex made time for when she spent the night before her royal wedding at Cliveden.
The historic swimming pool is overlooked by a beautiful clock tower and, when you're not swimming lengths, there are two hot tubs for a relaxing soak as you while away the hours – cocktail in hand, of course.
Adam Lynk - 11/13
10) Chewton Glen, Hampshire
In the New Forest National Park, it's all about the natural surroundings, and at Chewton Glen, you can really isolate in style with bike rides around the estate, a stay in a luxury treehouse and even walks with the hotel's teddy bear sheep (the kids will love this).
The outdoor pool is nestled among the trees of the 13-acre grounds and is a haven for water-lovers looking to soak up the sunshine in one of Hampshire's most exclusive family settings.
There are sun loungers and seating areas surrounding the pool so you can relax, whether you're in or out of the water.
Adam Lynk - 12/13
11) Carbis Bay, Cornwall
If it’s good enough for world leaders, it’s good enough for us – Carbis Bay was where the G7 Summit was held in 2021. In addition to its admittedly rather attractive pool, it has a Blue Flag beach on its doorstep, a spa and 125 acres of grounds to explore. There are rooms in the main house and luxurious lodges by the beach.
The restaurant by the shore is the perfect place for sundowners and local seafood after days spent by the outdoor pool or on the sand. It’s also home to a restaurant by the acclaimed chef Adam Handling.
Kieran Brimson - 13/13
12) Thyme, Cotswolds
There are many corners of this charming Cotswolds property that make it an idyllic place to while away a warm summer’s day, but few can rival the outdoor pool (though the spa makes a worthy rival). If you can bear to leave your lounger, the gorgeous grounds await and there’s an on-site cookery school ready to impart wisdom to willing students.
Thyme is in the Cotswold village of Southrop, with bedrooms in various outbuildings and cottages across the estate, original beamed ceilings and, yes, plenty of golden stone.
Nobis Hotel/Booking.com
