Nearest train station: Filton Abbey Wood
Wild swimming in Bristol, a large city in southwest England, may sound like something of a conundrum, but Henleaze Lake is just the tonic.
If you’re in Bristol looking for the perfect cool-off on a hot summer’s day or even tune your open water swimming skills throughout the year Henleaze Lake is a popular open water swimming spot located in the north Bristol area.
A former limestone quarry transformed into a lake with the aid of natural springs in the early 20th century, the Henleaze Swimming Club has been in operation since 1919 and is an ideal spot for open water swimming, and serves as a popular destination for locals and visitors to Bristol alike.
The lake offers a long stretch of water to practice your lengths, or you can simply relax on the grassy knolls adjacent to the water and come and go as you please. The lake also provides a sauna for members to warm up after a swim in the cooler months.
You will have to gain membership (there is a waiting list, see their official website for details) or you can visit as part of a maximum three-person party if one of you is an existing member over the age of 18.
How to Get to Henleaze Lake
We’ve provided detailed instructions on how to get to this wild swimming spot in Bristol by various means of transport below, as well as general travel information nearby.
By car
Enter the postcode BS10 5HG into your sat nav, which will take you straight to Henleaze Lake where you can park up adjacent to the water.
By public transport
The nearest train station is Filton Abbey Wood in north Bristol, though you are more than likely to arrive into the city via the larger transport hub of Bristol Temple Meads.
Change at Temple Meads to get to Clifton Down station (about 15 minutes) and then take the 2a bus towards Filton, alighting at Lake Road after about 15 miuntes and entering the lake via Lake Road to the north.
By bike
Bristol is notoriously hilly and can be a challenge for cyclists though is set up well for bikes in terms of road infrastructure. If you’re in the city already, reaching this Bristol wild swimming spot by bike should be relatively straightforward.
Check out this helpful Bristol cycle route map to get an idea as to how to get to Henleaze Lake by bike.
What else is nearby Henleaze Lake?
Bristol is one of our favourite cities to visit and has so much going on. In terms of wild swimming, Bristol’s location on the cusp of Somerset, South Wales and the western half of the Cotswolds allows it easy access to other wild swimming spots that are often only 30 minutes away or less.