Opened in 1987 and sitting at nearly 1,00ft above sea level, Shap Lido is classed as the highest heated swimming pool in the UK. Shap is a great gateway to the Lake District if you are going to Kendal or venturing to Penrith and the Northern Lakes.
Where is Shap’s Swimming Pool?
Taking a short detour from the M6 junction 39, you follow signs for Shap, and a mere 2.4 miles later you will reach Shap’s swimming pool.
///hotspots.eyepieces.headstone
This makes it a perfect pit stop for a refreshing dip in a community, volunteer-run swimming pool.
On approach, you would be forgiven if you thought you were at the wrong place. The beige 80s building and unassuming entrance door may make you get back in your car and go home but don’t fear. You are about to have a quaint and refreshing experience.
How much does it cost and what are the facilities like?
When entering, you’ll be greeted by one of the two lifeguards that are on duty, who will check you in and take your entrance fee (adults £5/ you can book online as well).
There are pictures from the original construction of the pool on display in the hallway as well as volunteer wanted posters. A mini tuck shop is available if you haven’t brought your own post-swim snack.
After signing you in, the lifeguard directs you to your desired changing room. They aren’t massive but the retro changing room does the job, while the female toilet entrance is on the poolside.
The 16-metre pool has one lane you can book, with room for 2 people using it, while the rest of the pool is for general swimming. It has a lot of seating options with a lovely nautical mural at the end of the pool which is covered for if/when the rain comes. The pool is clean and its whole vibe could have you thinking that you were at a simple Mediterranean hotel pool, but without the drunk people or Europop blasting out from speakers.
How was the swimming at Shap?
Lockers are available but you can also take your belongings with you to the poolside before getting in the refreshing 22-degree water. The weather during our visit was overcast which may have equated to the pool population of 3. Which allowed the freedom to practice strokes without having to swim around people or get bumped into seems to get rarer and rarer these days. The lifeguard did say that it gets busy on sunny hot days, which is to be expected.
The open-air swimming pool experience always has a way of being unique and more fulfilling than indoor swimming. During our visit we would often stop to enjoy the heat of the sun when it dared to peak out, or the song from the house martins that sang as they flew overhead. The open-air breeze kissed the swimmer's cheeks every time heads peeked out of the water, which gave that cold water thrill that some may miss in these summer months. Ever-changing events equated to a quaint and heavenly experience.
A refreshing dip just off the M6
With many swimming pools across the country closing, credit really needs to go to the volunteers that run the Shap swimming pool that they have kept open to the public since 1987.
I loved it! I wish there were more outdoor swimming pools like Shap’s readily available in the UK and I look forward to swimming there again.
It's well worth a visit the next time you are in the area or need a refreshing break on the next long drive through Cumbria on the M6.
