Pool Bridge Farm

A little slice of heaven, practically on my doorstep.

For those who don’t know, Pool Bridge Farm is a wild swim location just outside of York and, luckily for me, only 15 minutes from my house!

It has been a pleasure to watch Pool Bridge Farm transform over the past 2 years from being a quiet hidden gem with just one swim lake to now having 4 magnificent lakes and tickets that can sell like hot cakes. I first started swimming at Pool Bridge Farm on January 1st 2023 when the second lake had just opened. Originally the lakes had all been for fishing but, fortunately for us, they soon saw the opportunity of turning it into a wild swim and wellbeing paradise. Since then it has grown and grown in popularity. Full moon tickets sell out within hours, as does the choir!

For me, it started off as a handy place for a dip when I couldn’t get out on an adventure. I appreciated its beauty but, in honesty, I didn’t realise how lucky I was and often took it for granted. I mostly swam with my neighbours and, due to a slight miscommunication one day, we called ourselves the Cawood Dickheads. It was lovely to find like-minded friends who were as mad as myself, finding happiness in numbingly-cold water. Unfortunately, shifts and life would get in the way and we often found it hard to find the time to swim together.

Then, in November 2023, I met Vic and Leia. We instantly clicked and I was grateful to now have multiple groups I could swim with. Together, Vic, Leia and I formed The Yorkshire Dippers and it is quite possibly the best thing I have ever done in my life. With a growing Facebook group of over 2.5K members and a wonderful group of about 20 regulars, the Yorkshire Dippers have improved my life in so many ways. We swim twice a week (and often more) at Pool Bridge Farm, as well as going off on amazing adventures and holidays together. This time last year, I was often swimming alone and enjoying the peace and calm it brought me. Now I have the Yorkshire Dippers, the peace and quiet may have gone, but every single swim is filled with happiness, laughter and love. We invite anyone to join us on our weekly swim so, if you are reading this and fancy a dip, please get in touch!

Pool Bridge Farm is one of those places where I seem to love it more with every passing season. In summer, I announced that summer was definitely my favourite season at Pool Bridge Farm as, even though it was a bit busier, the water was warm and it meant that we could stay all day. Now we are in autumn, I have decided that autumn is, in fact, my favourite season at Pool Bridge Farm. The colours of Q Lake are just incredibly beautiful and the water is just starting to get that chilly nip. However, I have no doubt that, when the snow and ice comes, I will announce that winter is my new favourite… at least until spring that is!

If you haven’t visited Pool Bridge Farm yet, I highly recommend you try it. With 4 gorgeous lakes, 3 saunas and a wonderful cafe, not to mention a delightful array of wildlife, there’s just so much to love!