Splash in Gloucestershire's best-kept secret—a historic 38-metre open-air pool nestled in the Forest of Dean, perfect for families seeking summer fun.

Bathurst Pool is a charming 38-metre outdoor swimming pool located in Lydney, Gloucestershire, within the beautiful Forest of Dean. Given as a gift to the local community by the Bathurst family in 1920, this volunteer-run facility has become a beloved summer destination for families. The pool operates for at least 14 weeks during the summer season and features depths ranging from 1 to 1.8 metres, making it suitable for swimmers of all abilities. The venue is fully supervised by trained lifeguards and welcomes families with children of all swimming levels. Competent swimmers aged 8 and over can enjoy independent swimming, while younger children benefit from adult supervision ratios of one adult to two non-swimmers. The pool maintains a family-friendly atmosphere with strict safety rules, changing facilities, and a fully stocked onsite shop offering refreshments, ice cream, and swimming accessories. Bathurst Pool stands out for its commitment to sustainability and community service. The facility has been recognised with the George Read Community Award (2017) and the Queens Award for Voluntary Service (2018). Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic (alcohol and glass prohibited) and can enjoy the peaceful setting in the Forest of Dean. With affordable admission fees (£4 adults, £2.50 children over 3 years), accessible parking, and nearby bus stops, Bathurst Pool offers families an authentic, affordable swimming experience in a historic woodland setting.

Venue Details

What this place offers

Toilets

Public transport nearby

Accessible toilets

Free WiFi

Baby changing facilities

Food available

On-site parking

🐕Dog-friendly

Parking nearby

Pushchair friendly

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Katie Gibbons

3 weeks ago

great cheap so clean they allow 350 in at time we got here 10 mins early we got in fine cash only shop so cheap don’t need to bring anything apart from towel

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Visit Dean Wye

a month ago

What a fantastic community asset run by a fabulous bunch of dedicated volunteers. 38 metre pool open to the public from 12-5 from May to Mid-September. Spotless. Check out their Facebook page for updates. The cheapest entry fee and cafe I’ve ever come across. Ice creams from 50p to £2 (even magnums!)

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Itz Bee

2 months ago

Absolutely lovely pool, volunteers are great. You literally cannot beat the price, cost my family 10.50 for the whole 5 hours. Snacks were excellent and really low price. Pool was absolutely beautiful in the boiling weather, I didn't want to get out. The ONLY thing that spoilt the day was the amount of teenagers turning up while families had been waiting for 1.5hours in the sun and cutting the queue. Drinking alcohol and when being told politely there was a queue and to please wait like everyone else, got abusive. But that isn't a fault of the staff. Aside from that 10/10

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Lolly

a year ago

First time visiting today with my friend, what a beautiful place , very friendly people , staff members was lovely and I loved every minute of it. Prices are brilliant and the little tut shop was FAB too. The water was freezing but once ur in you soon adapt to it . But overall fantastic time! X

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Bethan

7 years ago

Went here with guides. Owners were very friendly and the guides has a fab time. They have a shop with a wide selection of items. Every flavour of pot noodle, ice cream, magnums, sweets and microwave chips! Also if you bring your pot noodle pot back you get 10p in sweets! The owners will blow up inflatable s for you.

Reviews last updated: 29 September 2026