October 2025
Venue: Court Farm Lakes, Lydney, Gloucestershire
http://www.courtfarmlakes.co.uk
Satnav: GL15 6PJ
Amenities:
*Two swimming lakes
*Car parking
*Café (GF & Vegan options).
*Warming up room
*Communal changing area
*Toilet
*Dog friendly
*Outside Shower
*Sauna
October has been a big travel month for me. No exciting holidays in sunny climes, but a few work trips spending days in Cambridge, Edinburgh and just recently Bristol.
I can’t lie, although its good to be out of the office for a while, I do feel a bit Travelodged–out! Having said that, it’s nice to enjoy the down time on these trips to stop and explore for a while. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time to try out new swim spots when I’m away, but I usually plan an evening walk, a pre-work trip to a tiny coffee shop or a whistle-stop scramble around the sights before the train home leaves. I feel like I’ve got the opportunity to make more of my time, and I’m never sorry I choose the unknown rather than a couple more hours in my hotel cube-room watching a re-run of Downton (again).
Similarly, I’m so enjoying researching and writing these swim blogs which, by their nature, push me out into unfamiliar surroundings, putting time aside to find out more about swimming venues that offer the necessary comfort and safety to begin your wild swimming adventures.This time, I called at Court Farm Lakes in Lydney, Gloucestershire. Their posts had popped up on my Facebook feed not long ago, they looked really cool, so I’d decided that it must be next on the list to visit.
To put some context to the time of my visit, it was Halloween and two days after hurricane Melissa had made landfall in Jamaica. The local air temperatures were turning cooler at around 10–14ºC during the day, and there had been some strong winds and rain overnight. Lydney is around 1 hour 20 mins drive away from me, so I didn’t bother to pack a hot water bottle, as it would have limited affect by the time it was needed. However, I was expecting water temperatures of 10 – 11ºC, so when temperatures start to dip, its always a good idea to pack several tops, gloves and a woolly hat to help with the rewarming process.
It was super easy to book a time at Court Farm via their website: www.courtfarmlakes.co.uk . I received an acknowledgement of the booking and a friendly reminder a couple of days before the swim, which I found helpful. But let me get down to the juicy details!
As I’ve mentioned already, Court Farm was a fairly significant distance from home, but I was accompanied by a fabulous Radio 4 line-up consisting of interviews with the actor, screenwriter and playwright Lennie James on Desert Island Discs (thank you Lauren Laverne) followed by the global activist, Malala Yousafzai on Womens’ Hour (thank you Anita Rani). The signs were already there that today was going to be special.
Approaching from the north, Court Farm Lakes is on the left hand side of a dual carriageway, so be aware that you may approach it quicker than you need to. Turning left, the car park to the lakes is clearly signposted through the farm yard and onto a short track where a fabulous view of the valley unfolds, and at the bottom of it, the lakes. You can just about make out the Severn estuary in the background whilst the changing and refreshment areas are situated at the top of the hill. The surroundings are bucolic; a field slopes gradually down from the ‘clubhouse’ to the lakes themselves, bordered by mature trees and inhabited by a family of swans and many other water birds. Please do not be concerned about aggressive swans protecting their cygnets. The Lydney swans are the most chilled-out birds I’ve come across, and are either vaguely interested by you as you swim by, or carry on as if you are not there. There are two islands in the middle of the largest lake, and you are invited to take advantage of the next-door lake by climbing out of the water and walking a short distance to plunge into the smaller one!
On arrival, I headed to the café to make sure everything was okay with my booking and that they were expecting me. I was really surprised to find a fully stocked café, offering oodles of delicious goodies including cakes, hot drinks, panini, soup and fish finger sandwiches – wow. And if you were looking for vegan and gluten free options, both were very well catered for. Slightly distracted by the menu board already, I asked about the general rules. There weren’t many. I was asked if I was new to outdoor swimming, and if I had a tow-float. There are floats to hire if you don’t have one. I was asked to change on the decking outside, shown where the gorgeous warming-up room was and guided to walk down to the water’s edge when I was ready.
There isn’t a specific entry point at Court Farm Lakes, and you are encouraged to carefully enter the water from the bank, slipping slowly into the shallow water, sinking feet into silky, silty mud. The lakes are not manned by lifeguards, but it is a relatively shallow pool and you are able to easily stand on the bottom in several places. There are also lifebuoys distributed around the banks. If you would prefer to be more sure-footed in your entry into the lake, there is a wooden pontoon on the opposite bank next to the sauna which several swimmers used during my visit to enter and safely exit the water.
By the time I was ready for my swim, Sarah, Lyn and Gerry had already introduced themselves. I found out that they had been swimming for less than a year, but were complete wild swim converts. Their willingness to share their oasis so generously, and their enthusiasm to welcome a fellow chill-seeker so openly, felt fundamental to the jigsaw of a perfect swim.
The water is treated and feels fresh, clean and cold! 10ºC today. You have the freedom of the lake(s) meaning that there is no preferred direction and no course to stick to. A mutual respect is shared between the swimmers and the swans, one of which glided very slowly past me with very little distance between us. I had slowed down too, just realising that I’d never seen a swan this close before, and at this angle – my eyes being at approximately lower wing-level. The white-grey skies had changed quickly to a pale indigo, the poplars began to rebel against the gusts of wind, and the rusting grasses rustled against each other on the bank. As the minutes washed by, a dusting of rain began, very lightly at first, followed by heavier more intermittent drops that plopped and left transient, elongated cones of water on the surface of the lake. But despite the outdoor soundscape and distant friendly chatter, it is a very peaceful venue.
A few minutes later, the rain had subsided and I hastily got changed on the decking outside the café. There is plenty of room and an eclectic mix of benches, pews and sofas on which to stash all your belongings. There is also a canvas-walled room next to the café, used for hosting yoga and dance classes. Court Farm is also a dog friendly swimming venue and welcomes well behaved canines to enjoy the fields, lakes and communal areas.
Still shivering (of course) I sat with Sarah and the gang on benches around a cosy wood burner in the warm-up room, and enjoyed a veggie sausage bap and coffee. By then, the sun was shining on the lake and a full rainbow had appeared in a soft arc over the poplars. I realised that, just like my recent work trips, going off course occasionally and trying something else, is (nearly!) always a good idea. The easy conversation that followed, the rain, the elegant, indifferent swan, even the time taken to enjoy the journey that day, all eased me towards a strong feeling of acceptance. A quiet permission to hold and enjoy fleeting moments. And to recognise those good times, to recall them when things aren’t so easy, and know that they can be revisited again.
And I will be coming back again, soon.