Wivey Pool

Heated outdoor pool in deepest rural Somerset.

Heated outdoor pools in the UK are rare in urban areas, let alone in rural Somerset - but its location, away from the usual local authority-funded facilities probably why this pool still exists - a determined local community keen to keep hold of a great community asset.

This pool isn’t listed on my usual go-to research tool, swimmersguide.com, and I am trying to remember exactly how I came by this place, but I’m glad I did! It’s a fantastic sunny morning, and the drive out to Wiveliscombe from the M5 via Taunton is through some spectacular countryside. Somerset is definitely the UK’s best county.

Wivey Pool is one of the oldest pools in Somerset, opening almost 100 years ago on the 4th of August 1927; it’s still open and thriving.

The setup here is fantastic. The pool is surrounded by wooden shed-come-Swedish-cabin changing and plant facilities, each topped with an array of solar panels, which no doubt go a long way to helping with the heating bill for this year-round open-air heated pool - especially today! The pool deck is covered in a colourful rubberised pellet material giving an easy on-the-foot finish; why don’t more pools use this?

The pool operates three one-hour-long lane swim sessions each morning. I’m glad I pre-booked; the pool was nearly full within minutes of my arrival!

I’ve had a (very) frustrating cough (not covid) and chest infection the last few days, which has kept me out of the water for almost a week, but time to jump in and get the pool on the list.

The sun is out, but it is still early, so I’m expecting a sudden chill as I jump in - surprisingly, the pool is the perfect swim temperature.

Complete 1,700 metres in the 27m long pool, then jump out just before the session finishes.

I have time before my next stop, so take a few minutes to take some drone footage from a sunny park bench in the adjacent village green come cricket oval.

Wivey Pool 4 Gallery Photo Wivey Pool 4 Gallery Photo Wivey Pool 4 Gallery Photo Wivey Pool 4 Gallery Photo

Swim Stats

  • 1701 meters total swim
  • 1:29 pace / 100m
  • Garmin Swim 2 Watch

Review

(80/100)

Well-loved and cared for by the local community. Considering this open-air pool is surrounded by trees, I didn't see a single leaf in the water! In fact, the pool deck, changing and water were cleaner than the average super-modern indoor facility.

Pool Details

  • Length 27 meters
  • 3-lane pool
  • Outdoor

Wivey Pool
The Recreation Ground, Wiveliscombe, Taunton TA4 2TA, UK

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