12 of the best hotels in the UK with outdoor pools
The warmest seasons of the year are officially here and, if your plans involve spending your weekends soaking up the rays, there are plenty of desirable hotels complete with outdoor pools for a refreshing dip to choose from this season.
Nestled in glorious settings around the country, 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 – and even if the weather isn't on your side, these hotspots have plenty to offer.
Ellenborough Park, Gloucestershire
Ellenborough Park's bucolic 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 some vitamin D on the stone-paved terrace.
Thankfully, this heated pool is a toasty 30 degrees Celsius, 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.
Sidmouth Harbour Hotel & Spa, Devon
With its New England beach-house aesthetic, Sidmouth Harbour Hotel & Spa will make you feel like you are 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.
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 available for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
Mullion Cove Hotel, Cornwall
Soak up the views over the South West Coast Path and out to the Atlantic Ocean 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 (with 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.
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 a little luxury and a Miami-style vibe to the coastal town.
This stylish hotel is like nothing else in the area and features a 30-metre pool with kitsch cabanas, a poolside bar and an outdoor-activities shack, dispensing kayaks and paddle boards for guests on their way down to the beach. There's also poolside yoga and outdoor cinema screenings during the warmer months, and the spa offers excellent Oskia facials and massages, plus an indoor pool to retreat to if the outdoor one is a little busy (it's very popular come high summer).
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 peaceful outdoor pool in the lawn is lined with sunloungers – it's a luxurious place to relax while surrounded by scenic countryside.
Housed in a Grade II-listed 18th-century building near Newbury, the made-over country-house hotel, from the brand behind the Mitre in Hampton Court, has 55 bedrooms and magnificent grounds. Its interiors are the pinnacle of quirky British sensibility and blend the old with the new.
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 where to go to unwind, with cabanas, comfy sunloungers 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 hotel's Olio restaurant awaits for simple yet beautifully presented food, made with locally sourced produce.
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?
A serene location for an outdoor swim, the heated pool is surrounded by extremely comfortable padded sunloungers. There's also the Gazebo, serving up drinks in the summer, and the Potting Shed overlooking the pool, where you can sink into an armchair with a board game.
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, beginning the infamous Profumo affair.
Lined with sunloungers and backed by National Trust-worthy floral displays, this is a country hotel swimming pool apart from the rest – no wonder it's a favourite with the Duchess of Sussex.
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.
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 bicycle rides around the estate, a stay in a luxury treehouse and even walks with the hotel's teddy bear sheep (kids will love this).
The outdoor pool is secluded among the trees of the 13-acre grounds and is a haven for anyone looking to enjoy the sunshine in one of Hampshire's most exclusive family-friendly settings.
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 down on the sand. It’s also home to a restaurant by the acclaimed chef Adam Handling.
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 attempt). 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 the region's famous golden stone.
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