Families and Children — Pool Bridge Farm

It’s warming up but it is still cold please check out our winter swimming advice

Families and Children

Q-Lake: for families and children

Children (and anyone who is a child at heart) are very welcome here at Pool Bridge Farm, and we want to encourage children to spend time in nature, learn how to wild swim and understand the risks and precautions needed whilst falling in love with a past time that we think can’t be beaten.

The Q Lake is the new family & paddle-boarding lake. It is a beautiful large lake (larger than our 3 other lakes put together!) with plenty of space both in the water as well as places around the edge to picnic. It is ideal for families to set up for the day with a picnic as there is plenty of room to spread out and lots of safe entry points into the water, The lake varies in depth from 12ft to places where you can stand. The vast nature of this lake means it has quickly become a favourite with all our regulars and newcomers a like, screams of joy can be heard frequently followed by a large splash and adults and children jump off the jetties.

The Q Lake is divided into two, with one side for paddle-boarding and kayaks, and the other side for swimming and non-oared inflatables under 1.5m. For safety reasons, please ensure there is no swimming in the paddle-boarding side and there are no oars in the swimming side.

To help preserve the wildflowers around the edge of the lake, as well as avoid any steep drops, please get in and out of the lake using the jetties or ramps. Jumping in is only allowed from the end of jetties where the water depth allows it to be safe to do so

Swimming safely with children

  • All non or weak swimmers must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) and be closely supervised, within arms reach of an adult at all times.

  • Acclimatise to the water before you start jumping in; cold water shock can still occur at higher temperatures and children in particular may panic if they don’t realise how cold it is.

  • All children must be closely supervised but strong swimmers aged 11 and over can be supervised from the banks.

  • The best by far is to join your children in the water and have some fun.

  • Children are allowed in the water once child swim tickets are available on the website, lakeside tickets will be available until then for children. Please note even when child tickets are available please note in spring the water is still very cold and suitable for hardy older children in wetsuits.