The organic swimming pond
The Organic Swimming Pond
Hole Mill's organic swimming pond is a spring-fed, chemical-free natural pool — 3 metres deep at the centre, with a wooden diving jetty. It's open year-round for cold-water swimming and is a working ecosystem of newts, dragonflies and waterlilies.
At a glance
- Depth
- Up to 3 metres at the centre. Shelving gently from a paved entry edge at ~30 cm.
- Surface area
- ~120 m² of clear swimming water plus a separate planted regeneration zone.
- Water source
- Fed by a clean hillside spring and topped up by rainwater. No mains chlorine input.
- Filtration
- Naturally filtered through a planted regeneration zone — no chlorine, no salt, no UV.
- Temperature
- Approx. 5–12 °C in winter, 15–22 °C in summer. Coldest in January, warmest in August.
- Season
- Open year-round — most guests swim May to October; dedicated cold-water swimmers use it all winter.
- Diving jetty
- Solid oak diving jetty extends over the deep end. Safe diving above 2.5 m depth.
- Wildlife
- Home to smooth newts, water boatmen, dragonflies, frogs and waterlilies. Kingfishers visit.
- Safety
- Children must be supervised at all times — there is no shallow paddling area and no lifeguard. A lifebuoy is mounted on the deck.
- Dogs in the pond
- Dogs are not permitted in the pond to protect the planted ecosystem. The stream is fine for paddling.
- Pond rules
- No sun cream, soaps or shampoos in the water. Rinse off before swimming. No glass on the deck.
Common questions
How deep is the swimming pond at Hole Mill?
Hole Mill's organic swimming pond is up to 3 metres deep at the centre, with a shelved entry edge at around 30 cm. A wooden diving jetty extends over the deep end.
Is the swimming pond heated?
No — the pond is unheated and entirely natural. Water temperatures run roughly 5–12 °C in winter and 15–22 °C in summer. It is popular with cold-water swimmers year-round.
Are children allowed in the swimming pond?
Yes — children are welcome but must be supervised at all times. The pond has no shallow paddling area and no lifeguard; a lifebuoy is mounted on the deck.
More facts