Plans on track for natural outdoor swimming spot

28 December 2025

Matty Edwards,West of Englandand

Joanna Durrant,Gloucestershire

News image — One vision for a set of infinity pools surrounded by beautiful nature

Community Waters CIC A computer-generated image of what one of the pools will look like. It is a tiered infinity pool with three platforms. There is a set of steps to the right, leading down to the bottom pool. In the background there are trees, fields and hedges and a wooden fence on the left. The water is bright green and blue with little splashing waves where water falls from the pool above. — One vision for a set of infinity pools surrounded by beautiful nature

Plans are moving forward to open an ambitious new outdoor swimming spot, including geothermal pools that would stay warm all year round.

Stroud Waters launched a Crowdfunder campaign last year to explore whether their vision for a natural outdoor swimming area in Gloucestershire would be feasible.

After raising the £36,000 required, project members have carried out a community survey and research project with other outdoor swimming venues.

Next year, a business case will be completed and conversations will begin with the council about getting planning permission.

Amy Morris is pictured sitting on a chair in a living area in her home. She is smiling and is wearing a grey knitted jumper with pink, green and blue lines across it. Behind her is an out-of-focus table and chairs. There are pictures on the walls. — Amy Morris is driving the project forward after taking up cold water swimming a few years ago

Amy Morris, the founder of the project, said: "The vision is an outdoor swimming area that is natural, chemical free, surrounded by nature.

"There'll be a pool that changes temperature with the seasons so we can use it for cold water swimming and also in the summer," she said.

"There will also be a geothermal heated area with year-round access so those who don't want to go in cold water can still use it on a December morning.

"We just want to create somewhere beautiful and relaxing where people can come to be in nature."

Ms Morris said she became "addicted" to cold water swimming a few years ago while training for the Winter Swimming World Championships in Slovenia.

Social element

The land on Court Farm, which is surrounded by the green pastures of the Cotswold Way in Gloucestershire, is being donated by local farmer Adam Knight.

There are also plans for changing rooms, a sauna and for drinks to be served.

Organisers of the project are now armed with information about 20 other swimming lakes, marine pools and lidos as well as input from some 850 people who took part in the community survey.

"The main themes were people love swimming, sauna and coffee," said Ms Morris who stressed that the social element was also important.

"They wanted a nature-rich setting, natural, chemical-free water, use of renewable energy and somewhere open all year round," she added.

Community Waters CIC A computer-generated aerial shot of the pool design showing different pools in a circular shape with a wooden building next to some trees. — The design includes a sauna, changing rooms, a wellbeing space for hire and seating area

Ms Morris said that affordability was another priority for people which was why she had started to explore partnerships with the NHS for social prescribing.

The Crowdfunder is still open for donations to cover ongoing admin costs and Ms Morris urged interested people to get involved.

The next steps are to finalise the "robust" business plan and have a pre-application consultation with the council about how to get planning permission.

"In December 2026, we'll have done the feasibility study by then hopefully and we'll know for sure about the location," said Ms Morris.

"It's really exciting."

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