Portishead Open Air Pool

I do love Portishead pool, it's like being on holiday spending time there. You book now online, which is great because in the old days there would be awful queues. I would advise against trying to climb out in the deep end as I bumped my leg on the bars and got a nasty bruise. But the life guards were well trained and gave me a icepack and advice.

Visited on a weekday morning at 10am. Glorious weather to enjoy a swim. Lovely location right on the seafront and plenty of free parking too. Changing rooms and toilets although sort of clean are very dated and the loo in the ladies changing area definitely needs an update. However, this is run by volunteers so taking all this into account and recognising that you’re supporting a community led venture it’s still worthwhile. If you’re looking for a gentle, relaxing swim it’s best to avoid weekends and school holidays. There is a cafe on site too however we didn’t use it on our visit.

Great place to spend a hot day.Bring a deck chair/beach mat and a cool box.Update-Visited today June 4th.I was told I have to pay online as not accepting walk ins. Bit annoying as I was already there. It also charged me an extra 38p for booking online!!. Reasonable at a fiver though. Water was warm. Showers are newer than my last visit. Still a great place.

its good, water is very warm. i didn’t see any bugs in it as well, however grabbing onto the side of the pool made my fingers bleed so if anyone goes swimming here i suggest to try not grab the side too much, or atleast gently if u dont want ur fingers to bleed too

Went here for the first time a week ago for a full moon swim. Lovely experience, great pool...it was nice and warm. Beautiful setting... Shame the moon didn't make an appearance though! Will definitely go here again...and in the daytime too! :-)

Very recommended place.. We love it.

Portishead Open Air Pool, situated along the picturesque Portishead coastline, is a delightful retreat for those in search of a refreshing swim in a serene natural setting. During my recent visit, I was thoroughly impressed by the pool's friendly staff, pristine water quality, and efficient organization.The staff at Portishead Open Air Pool are truly welcoming, offering assistance with a warm smile and sharing their knowledge about the pool's history and operations. Their friendliness added to the overall pleasant experience.The cleanliness of the pool's water is remarkable. It's clear that the maintenance team takes great care in ensuring the water is crystal clear and hygienic, creating a safe and enjoyable environment for swimmers.The organization of the facilities and operations is exceptional. The layout is user-friendly, with easy access to changing rooms and lockers. The pool's schedule and booking system are well-maintained, allowing visitors to plan their visit hassle-free.In addition, the pool offers amenities such as picnic areas and a café, providing opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment. The pool's location overlooking the Bristol Channel adds to its charm.In summary, Portishead Open Air Pool is a top-tier destination that seamlessly combines natural beauty with excellent service. The friendly staff, pristine water, and well-organized facilities make it an ideal choice for a day of relaxation and leisure. My visit left me refreshed and eager to return to this aquatic haven.

I have been in lots of lidos around the uk and this one was the best value. The water was 28C, the max depth 2.5m, the pool almost olympic sized, but it only cost £5 per person for the 1:30pm till 6:30pm family swim, and of that 5 five hour session we swam for 3 hours. Many indoor pools charge more for 1 hour sessions, lidos tend to allow longer swims, but I have not been to another lido with heating that has 5 hour sessions. We went on a sunny Monday during half term, there were quite a few kids, but it was not that full compared to some other lidos, especially from about 4pm. The guards were relaxed, I was amazed the lockers are free, there was a drinking fountain, and they even lent out googles to people who had forgotten to bring their own for free, and the whistle hardly blew. However the pools has no diving boards which is a shame (the ones you see in the phots are deactivated), nor were they any rubber rings or other toys except dive sticks and balls for the kids to play with, they even ban fins! That means it was a lot less fun for kids than some lidos i have been too, and I think that had an impact on numbers, so my 7 year old son was slightly disappointed there were not as many kids to play with as he was hoping for. I have never been to Portished before, we went for a beautiful walk along the beach and grass lands, also we went to the beautiful park with ponds and a playground, and the architecture around the sea front was stunning. I went into Portished town where McDonalds is briefly, it, by complete contrast, seemed to me a dive.

Amazing community run pool. The water is normally much warmer than either of the local leisure centre pools. Nice cafe and stunning views. Tip: the last hour of weekday evenings is normally quiet, even in hot weather.

It's such a lovely venue and the staff are amazing. Be prepared for it to be windy though - it always seems to be quite breezy, but pleasant enough when you're actually in the water.This has quite an old fashioned feel to it with the concrete benches and stuff. Looks a bit like an old painting or photo. The changing areas are basic, but pretty and always spotlessly clean in my experience. I generally go in the evening so the cafe isn't open, but there is a nice tuck shop.