Our outdoor pool doesn’t close when summer ends. It’s heated from May to September, and from October we keep it open, unheated, for cold water swimming through the winter until the end of March. If you’re staying with us, use of the pool is included and there’s no need to book a slot.
The pool sits in our private gardens here on the East Cliff and measures roughly 70ft by 20ft at its widest points, which leaves plenty of room for a few slow lengths or a short, steady dip. Below, we’ve covered how the cold water season works, how to get in comfortably the first time, and the accessible equipment you can use poolside.
Heated season and cold water season at a glance
It’s the same pool all year round. What changes between the seasons is the water temperature and who can use it.
| Heated season | Cold water season | |
| When | May to September | October to the end of March |
| Water | Heated | Unheated |
| Staying guests | Included, no need to pre-book | Included, no need to pre-book |
| Non-resident day tickets | Sold for set dates in spring and summer, booked in advance online | Booking in advance not required. Just pay at reception £3.00 a dip, £5.50 with a hot drink included |
Our published pool hours are 8am to 4pm, weather permitting. Winter weather has more of a say over what’s possible on any given day, so a quick call to reception on 01202 552111 before you head out in your swimsuit is the easiest way to check. You’ll find the full details on our outdoor swimming pool page.
Why a pool works well for winter swimming
The beach is about a five-minute walk from the hotel, so the sea is always an option. A pool takes some of the variables out of a winter swim, though. There are no tides or currents to read, the edge is never more than a few strokes away, and the changing room is right beside the water rather than a walk back from the beach.
That makes our pool a comfortable place to try cold water for the first time, or to keep a winter habit going on the mornings when the sea looks a little less inviting.
Getting in comfortably the first time
The Met Office describes water below 15°C as cold enough to trigger cold water shock, an involuntary reaction that makes you gasp and sends your breathing and heart rate up quickly. It can affect anyone, whatever their age or fitness, and the first effects usually pass in around 90 seconds. Since our pool isn’t heated during this season, it’s sensible to treat it as cold water in that sense.
The practical upshot is to take your time. Lower yourself in slowly rather than jumping, and wait until your breathing has settled before you start swimming. Short swims are a good way to begin, and it’s time to get out if you notice shivering, weakness, shortness of breath or any disorientation. Once you’re out, dry off and get into warm clothes straight away, and a hot drink or a brisk walk will help you warm through.
It’s also more relaxed with company, so bring a friend or partner along to swim with or keep an eye from the side. A wetsuit can help too, adding warmth and reducing the risk of cold water shock. The Met Office’s guide to cold water shock covers all of this in more detail if you’d like to read up before your first dip.
Accessible cold water swimming
Accessibility runs through how we look after guests across the whole hotel, and the pool is part of that. Our i-swim pool hoist is available for guests to use during their stay, and we also have a portable hoist, a privacy screen and a shuffle board to help with transfers. Just ask a member of the team and they’ll help you get set up.
Poolside, there’s a changing room and an accessible toilet, and inside the hotel there’s a Changing Places facility as well. A slow, controlled entry matters even more in cold water, so a hoist can be a genuinely useful way to get in at your own pace. If you’d like to talk through what will work for you before you book, our accessibility page is a good place to start, and the team are always happy to help by phone.
Warming up afterwards
Once you’re dry and dressed, The Retreat Bar & Eatery is the natural next stop. There’s a light breakfast menu for earlier swimmers, and our all-day menu runs from midday to 8:30pm, with homemade soup of the day among the light bites if you’d like something warm. Afternoon tea is on offer too, which makes a pretty good reward for an afternoon dip. Menus and opening times can occasionally change at short notice, so the team at the bar can tell you what’s being served on the day.
What to pack for a winter dip
Towels are available at the pool, so you can leave yours at home. A few extras make the minutes after a cold swim much more comfortable:
- Swimwear, or a wetsuit if you’d like extra warmth and buoyancy
- Warm layers that are easy to pull on with cold hands
- A woolly hat and warm socks for afterwards
- Footwear for walking around the poolside
- A dressing gown or changing robe for the walk back to your room
Planning a winter stay with us
Because pool use is included for overnight guests, a winter break here comes with cold water swimming built in. Parking is free when you book directly with us (terms and conditions apply), with spaces in our car park at the rear of the hotel offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ready to plan your stay? Have a look at our hotel bedrooms, from standard doubles to rooms with sea views and balconies, and book direct. If you’d like to check anything about the pool before you travel, give reception a call on 01202 552111.