There’s something about a swimming pool on holiday that just changes everything. It becomes the centre of the day — early morning dips, post-breakfast splashes, lazy afternoons on a lounger, and that inevitable “five more minutes” from the kids that turns into an hour.
At Coombe Farm Cottages, our outdoor pool is a real favourite. Open and heated from May half term through to September, it’s designed to be properly enjoyed — not just admired from a distance while you debate whether it’s warm enough.
Because when the temperature is right, a pool isn’t just a feature — it’s where memories are made. Cannonballs, inflatable races, tentative first swims, and that unbeatable feeling of drying off in the sunshine with nowhere else to be.
Shared, But Spacious
The pool is shared between our four cottages, which often raises the question — will it be busy?
In reality, it works beautifully. The pool is large enough to comfortably accommodate multiple families, and guests naturally drift in and out throughout the day. Some prefer a peaceful morning swim, others turn up mid-afternoon with armfuls of inflatables, and by early evening it often settles into a calm, golden-hour dip.
It creates a lovely balance — a bit of atmosphere when you want it, plenty of space when you don’t. And for children especially, it’s often where holiday friendships are formed within minutes.
Why Not All Year Round?
A fair question — and one we get a lot. Why not keep it heated all year?
Well… imagine trying to heat a large outdoor pool in the British winter. You’d essentially be attempting to warm a giant bath while the sky throws rain, wind, and the occasional sideways sleet at it. The heating system would be working heroically, the heat would vanish instantly, and you’d end up with something that’s technically “heated” but still requires the bravery of an Arctic explorer.
Not to mention the small matter of stepping out afterwards into a brisk January breeze. Invigorating? Perhaps. Appealing? Debatable.
By focusing on the warmer months, we make sure the pool is genuinely enjoyable — properly warm, inviting, and somewhere you actually want to spend time, rather than a test of resilience.
The Best of Summer, Done Properly
Keeping the pool open and heated from May half term to September allows us to offer the best of both worlds: a true outdoor swimming experience, without battling the elements. It also keeps things a little more sustainable, reducing the energy needed while still delivering those long, lazy pool days everyone hopes for.
So when you stay with us, you can pack the swimwear with confidence — because when the pool’s open, it’s ready to be enjoyed exactly as it should be.
And if the kids have anything to do with it, you’ll be spending a lot of your holiday in it.