When it’s this hot, all you want to do is find a way to cool off- and whilst air-conditioned restaurants and frozen cocktails offer some respite, don’t forget that nature has a few tricks up its sleeve too.
Of course, safety is important, and if you are planning to swim in open water in hot weather there are a few things you always need to bear in mind.
The risk of shock from cold water and strong currents are both serious, and these need considering before you embark on a wild swim.
With that in mind, Swim England has released advice to help keep people safe whilst swimming in open water here.
Fortunately for us, there are a number of guided open water swimming sessions available in and around Manchester with open water markers, safety instructors, and qualified coaches on hand to help you get the most out of your swim.
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With that in mind, let’s get into the good stuff – namely, where to go for your next (safe) dip.
We’ve picked a handful of spots in and around Manchester suited to varying levels of experience to give you some inspiration.
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The Farm Club at Pickmere
This family-run venue sits within 300 acres of Cheshire countryside, with plenty of safe open swimming opportunities for beginners. Here, you can get into the sport of open water swimming with help from safety instructors and experienced coaches on SUP boards. Pre-booked sessions take place between May and September.
Boundary Water Park, Cheshire
Image: Facebook
The warm, shallow lake at Boundary Water Park is perfect for novices and families, with the added benefit of having sessions overseen by qualified coaches to keep you safe. These run on Thursdays from 5.30-7.30pm and on Sundays from 10-1pm.
Between May and September, Open Swim UK run four weekly sessions at Sale Water Park to encourage people to experience the joys of wild swimming in a safe environment where they can perfect their technique. What’s more, there are indoor changing rooms, lockers, showers and even wetsuit hire available. Priced at £7 or £4 for juniors, no membership is required.
Salford Watersports Centre, Salford Quays
Salford’s Water Sports Centre offers open water swims on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays in the Ontario basin. Priced at £5 for adults and £4.50 for juniors, there are changing rooms and hot showers available, as well as free parking on site.
Uswim host guided open swimming sessions at Salford Quays every Saturday between 8-11am and on Wednesday evenings from 5.30-7.30pm. Water safety is guaranteed, with water quality-tested before sessions. Uswim provides full safety covered with measured 400m, 750m and 1km swim courses available.
Elton Reservoir, Bolton
Image: Facebook
Managed and run by Bolton Triathlon Club, you can typically join in with guided open water swimming sessions at Elton Reservoir in Bolton every Tuesday from 5-8pm from May through to late August/ early September. However, this summer the algae has made swimming here unsafe leading organisers to close the reservoir until 2023.
Nathan Aspinall clinches fourth European title despite ‘homesick’ confession
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester-born and raised darts player Nathan Aspinall clinched another European trophy over the bank holiday weekend, despite a very honest and vulnerable admission about the pressures of the professional circuit.
The Stockport darting star managed an 8-5 victory over Dutchman Danny Noppert in the final of the German Darts Grand Prix, making it his fourth PDC Euro title.
Having claimed a trio of them in 2025, Aspinall‘s prolific presence on the continent only continues to grow, but truth be told, it’s far from his favourite part of the lifestyle.
Speaking ahead of the final – and following multiple delays in transit – he said: “I don’t want to travel — I just want to be at home with my family at the moment.”
ASPINALL WINS THE TITLE IN MUNICH 🐍
What a finish to win the final 🔥
Nathan Aspinall takes out a classy 128 checkout to claim the Elten Safety Shoes German Darts Grand Prix with an 8-5 triumph over Danny Noppert 🙌#ET4pic.twitter.com/v4xHljyr46
Prior to the match against the world no. 11, ‘The Asp’ confessed to DartsNews that he feels “very flat” at present, adding, “I’m not enjoying playing darts at the moment.”
After also wrestling with passport queues and airports misplacing luggage before he could even make it to the tournament in Germany in the first place, it’s been far from a smooth EU Tour for him so far
The 34-year-old and his wife, Kirsty, have two children, Brooke and Milly Mai, with Aspinall writing on an Instagram story: “should have spent Easter with the kids.”
Nevertheless, the local lad mustered up the motivation – noting that the on-stage buzz definitely helps – to make his way into the final and finish with a not-too-shabby 128 checkout.
Having been “working on things in the background” and even walking out to his new entrance song (‘Lose Yourself by Eminem), we’re hoping he’ll soon be fully snapped out of his funk and back to enjoying the sport.
Thankfully, it seems like the result has definitely helped go some way towards that, with his reaction in the post-match pressers suggesting an upturn in both confidence and mood.
Speaking after the win, he went on to add: “I’m trying to find that love for the game again and Munich, you’ve given] me the love again. I enjoyed my darts today!”
Featured Images — Sandro Halank (via Wikimedia Commons)
Kids & Family
A ‘legacy walk’ in memory of Joe Thompson is taking place across Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
The ‘Walk With Me for JT’, a.k.a Joe Thompson ‘Legacy Walk’, is back next month, and Greater Mancunians are being encouraged to take part.
Returning this year following his tragic passing last April, the now annual charity walk has already raised thousands for charity and is set for another big turnout.
Joe Thompson, an ex-Rochdale AFC and Bury FC player, sadly died at just 36 following a long battle with lymphoma, having been diagnosed three different times in 12 years.
While the young husband and father of two’s story is a heartbreaking one, it has also become a source of inspiration for so many across the North West and, indeed, across the UK, with people once again gearing up to complete a fundraising walk in his name.
Set to honour him by making the journey from his adopted home of Rochdale all the way to Old Trafford, with Thompson having come through Man United’s youth academy, the 15-mile trek will start at his former club’s Crown Oil Arena and stop at Bury’s Gigg Lane as well as Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium.
First held in 2024 under the ‘Walk With Me for JT’ banner, the initial legacy walk saw the Bath-born footballer and countless others complete 21 miles in an effort to raise money for treatment.
Gone but never forgotten, the charity walk survives not only in the hearts and souls of his family, friends and other people’s lives he touched, but in the community spirit that his struggle and immense bravery in the face of illness helped spur on throughout the region and beyond.
Writing on social media, the Thompson family and the Foundation in his memory said, “Last year, he walked beside us. This year, we walk for him. This isn’t just a walk… It’s a promise. A promise to carry his strength, his belief, his light forward.
For every family facing illness. For everyone experiencing loss or hardship. For anyone who needs hope right now. Every step matters. Every mile has meaning. Whether you’ve walked before or this is your first time. You won’t walk alone.”
Join the annual Joe Thompson legacy walk on Saturday 2nd May 💙
Departing from the Crown Oil Arena, the 15-mile walk will finish at Manchester United's Old Trafford 🏟️
They signed off by adding: “Be part of something bigger. Be part of Joe’s legacy. Be part of the movement. Get a team together, invite your friends, colleagues and family and let’s raise funds to support The Joe Thompson Foundation.”
With the event beginning at 11am on Saturday, 2 May, there have already been numerous sign-ups, and you can expect even more to lace up their shoes and pay tribute to a local hero.
If you want to join in the effort and help do your bit, you can register for the 2026 Joe Thompson Legacy Walk right HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
18th July 2022 
