A solstice swim at Ingleton Outdoor Swimming Pool was a wonderful opportunity for me to explore a new place and then, once in the water, pause, reflect and welcome the changing season together in cold, open water.
What Is the Solstice?
When I first started open water swimming and following certain accounts on social media, I noticed a trend of people marking the seasonal solstice. At first I was not entirely sure what to make of it. I went along with it, and over time it began to make perfect sense. It now feels unthinkable not to mark it.
The reason is the connection with nature. You cannot help but feel deeply connected to nature when you are in cold water. Even in a busy outdoor pool or lido, the water seems to amplify the natural world around you.
For anyone unfamiliar with the winter solstice, here is a simple explanation. The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, when daylight is at its most fleeting. It is a natural pause point, a moment to acknowledge the darkness and quietly welcome the return of longer days and lighter mornings ahead.
Many people see it as the herald of spring. A quiet reassurance that from here on in, the days will slowly begin to lighten. In contrast, the summer solstice marks the longest day of the year.
For open water swimmers, the pull of nature combined with the winter solstice creates a meaningful moment. It becomes a celebration and a moment of reflection. A chance to acknowledge accomplishments, witness nature taking her own moment of stillness, and remind ourselves to take stock and recharge. Life can feel relentlessly busy, and marking the solstice offers a grounding tonic in an often hectic world.
About the Location: Ingleton Outdoor Swimming Pool
Ingleton Outdoor Swimming Pool had been on my to-visit list for quite some time, as a lot of Warmcor customers had said it was their favourite place to go. When a friend mentioned they were attending a Solstice Swim there, it felt like the perfect opportunity to finally visit.
I often talk about outdoor swimming pools and lidos on the website, and what an asset they are to their communities. Ingleton is no exception.
The pool first opened in 1934. After a facelift in 1974, control of the pool was handed to the Ingleton Rural Community Association, who continue to serve the local community by running this much-loved amenity. Over the years, improvements have included disabled access, new changing rooms, additional seating, picnic areas with barbecue facilities, bike parking and extra handrails. Like so many community pools, it is run by volunteers.
The pool is located at ///splice.crispier.motored.
From M6 Junction 36 it takes around twenty minutes to reach Ingleton. On the way you pass Devil’s Bridge at Kirby Lonsdale, which makes a tempting option if you fancy a double dip day. (And no matter the weather, it’s almost impossible not to stop for an ice cream at the The Milking Parlour)
Parking close to the pool can be a bit of a lottery, even in mid-winter. In summer, with popular waterfalls, hiking routes and caves nearby, planning ahead is essential as the area is very popular.
Ingleton is a very old village, with references to ‘Inglestune’ dating back to 1084. This gives it enormous Yorkshire charm, but also means steep, narrow and winding roads. If you are not a confident driver, especially with hill starts or tight reversing, public transport or a lift with a friend may be the best option.
For our Solstice Swim, we parked at ///clogging.tame.baseless. There are public toilets nearby and parking charges are as follows.
Monday to Sunday, 9am to 6pm, including bank holidays
- 1.5 hours £1.30
- 2 hours £2.40
- 3 hours £3.20
- 4 hours £5.20
On-street parking nearby was limited to one hour.
From here, the pool was an idyllic eight to ten-minute walk. We headed downhill, followed the river, and found the route very well signposted.
The Solstice Swim Experience
As the shortest day of the year, it made sense that the swim was scheduled for midday. The morning sessions had finished and the hardworking volunteers were taking a well-earned break when we arrived early.
The landscaped entrance is beautifully maintained, with picnic tables that naturally invite people to gather. This is where the familiar warmth of the cold water swimming community showed itself. Two people were already waiting, and our groups quickly merged. We chatted about kit, favourite swim spots and how far we had travelled.
This is worth remembering if you are new to cold water swimming. An organised swim at a venue like Ingleton Outdoor Swimming Pool is an excellent place to start, for several reasons.
- Other swimmers are welcoming and happy to share knowledge.
- There is a paid lifeguard on duty.
- Proper changing rooms are available, meaning you are not changing outdoors.
- The pool is safe and secure, making it ideal for building confidence.
The pool area itself was clean and well cared for, and the underfloor heating in the changing rooms was a genuine joy after getting out of the 5.5 degree water. The pool operates seasonally from April to September and is heated during the warmer months.
One thing I particularly appreciated was the stepped ladders, allowing a gradual and controlled entry into the water rather than the usual vertical ladders. These were more graceful, which is welcomed when you’re navigating chilly water acclimatisation
The water was cold, clean and filled with smiling faces and exclamations of glee at what they were doing. I managed a couple of lengths before my body made it very clear that it was time to get out.
After a quick change poolside into my Changing Tube, I headed back into the warm changing rooms. Conversations continued, advice was shared, and invitations to future swims were exchanged. It was a genuinely lovely community experience.
Post Swim Munchies
After the swim, we took a different route back and headed uphill towards the main street, stopping at Inglesport. Upstairs, they have a café serving enormous slices of cake at very reasonable prices.
We drank, ate, warmed up and talked about the year we had each had. It felt like the perfect way to reflect on what the solstice swim meant to us.
One thing I loved about where we parked was that the walk back helped us warm up again after sitting down. A long chat and a big slice of cake can leave you feeling stiff, so it was good to stretch the legs before heading home.
What to Pack for a Solstice Swim
What you pack will always depend on the location, but for my trip to Ingleton I took:
- A swimming costume
- A warm bobble hat
- A Changing Tube
- Neoprene gloves and socks
- A flask, although we ended up in the café
- Slip on shoes for ease, with lace up shoes preferred for longer walks
- A tote bag
- Warm layers including thermals, a t shirt, fleece joggers and socks
- An overcoat
Who This Swim Is For
Absolutely everyone. The group was wonderfully mixed, from people spending only a short time in the water in full neoprene, to confident front crawlers swimming in skins. Everyone did what felt right for them, and the atmosphere was supportive and joyful throughout.
