'Hidden gem' saltwater pool in high demand

"We're turning people away because they haven't booked," said the general manager of a centre which boosts an open air saltwater swimming pool.

Peter Wilson, general manager at Nantwich Leisure Centre, Cheshire, said it has been "extremely busy" during the heatwaves.

The pool can accommodate 147 swimmers during a general swim, and those sessions are being booked eight days in advance.

Customers are coming from "all over the north west of England, Midlands and North Wales as they do every year to use the pool in this wonderful weather we are having, which is just like being in the Mediterranean", said Wilson.

The attraction first opened to the public on 1 July 1935 and is now thought to be one of just two inland open air brine swimming pools in the country, the other being in Droitwich, Worcestershire.

The UK's third heatwave of the year is set to intensify again this week, and more places in England and Wales could exceed 30C.

It has led to amber and yellow heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency.

The water temperature in the 30m by 15m facility is normally around 22°C (74°F), and it opened for the 2026 season in April.

And the demand and interest in outdoor swimming is also growing and growing, said Wilson.

"There is a big focus on outdoor swimming and mental health," said the general manager, adding that people are "coming back to the traditional lidos as they are the outdoor pools."

"The demand is there - we get asked every year if we will open all year round, unfortunately we don't."

Despite its history, there are still "quite a few" local residents in Nantwich who are still not aware of the "little hidden gem," Wilson added.

"We took some customers around last week and they were quite shocked by the size of the pool.. they were expecting some little paddling pool."

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