Britain’s Best Rooftop Pools For A Dip
Who doesn’t love a rooftop pool? While the sun might be playing games with us this week, we still love the idea of diving into a pool with a view. Whether you’re looking for some inspiration or desperately need a dip, here are our picks of the best pools around Britain. From dreamy thermal baths to hotel highlights, these are the best rooftop pools worth visiting.
Thermae Bath Spa
From Roman times to the modern day, taking to the water in Bath is a treat worth travelling for. The romance of one of Britain’s most beautiful cities can only be increased when you’re at height and underwater. Tapping into Bath’s famous naturally warm spa water (hence it being called Bath), the Thermae Spa is a day spa like no other.
Tapping into Bath’s famous naturally warm spa water (hence it being called Bath), the Thermae Spa is a day spa like no other.
Where: The Hetling Pump Room, Hot Bath Street, Bath, BA1 1SJ
Website: www.thermaebathspa.com
Shangri-La Hotel The Shard, London
Strictly not a rooftop pool, but given it’s higher than every other rooftop in town, and affords rooftoppy views it would be a shame to not rave about the pool at Shangri-La Hotel The Shard, London. Where better to gaze on St Pauls or The Gherkin than neck-deep on the 52nd floor? Officially the highest pool in Europe and with one of the capital’s best hotels into the deal, a stay here will be uniquely memorable.
Where: 31 St Thomas Street, Borough, SE1 9QU
Website: www.shangri-la.com
art’otel London Battersea Power Station
Boasting soaring views over Battersea Power Station, this rooftop infinity pool should be on everyone’s hit list this summer. It sets atop the new art’otel London where the interiors of the hotel are driven by art, with signature pieces created by award-winning designer Jamie Hayon. Up on the rooftop, hotel guests can soak up the views year-round, sipping on cocktails and lounging the afternoons away.
Where: 1 Electric Boulevard, Nine Elms, SW11 8BJ
Website: www.artotellondonbattersea.com
Ragdale Hall
There’s now one more reason than pork pies to visit Melton Mowbray (though you had me at pies). Nearby country house hotel, Ragdale Hall, has an exciting pool worth talking about. This rooftop pool offers views across the hotel’s grounds and the rolling Leicestershire countryside beyond.
This rooftop pool offers views across the hotel’s grounds and the rolling Leicestershire countryside beyond.
Where: Ragdale Village, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 3PB
Website:www.ragdalehall.co.uk
King Street Townhouse
Manchester hasn’t been this cool since Oasis was at its height. And keeping the city in street-cred, King Street Townhouse brings its a-game courtesy of a rooftop pool. The rooftop infinity pool, bang beside the bee-bedecked town hall, looks out across the Mancunian skyline topping off the luxury offering of the hotel beneath.
Where: 10 Booth Street, Manchester, M2 4AW
Website: www.kingstreettownhouse.co.uk
The Berkeley
The Berkeley Rooftop Bar is a gorgeous rooftop space to explore. Boasting unrivalled views over the capital, the space is home to blue and white striped lounge chairs, red frilled parasols and plenty of drinking and dining options to soak up. The heated pool is available to hotel guests only and makes a lovely, luxurious space to spend an afternoon. At the bar, you can get yourself a tropical smoothie or a seasonal spritz accompanied by small bites like Dorset crab salad, smoked salmon and grilled asparagus.
Where: Wilton Place, SW1X 7RL
Website: www.the-berkeley.co.uk
Sheraton Grand, Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s Sheraton Grand just got a little bit grander when we realised there’s a rooftop hydro-pool at the hotel’s One Spa. Get ‘jetted’ by warm water at ‘optimal body temperature’ and look out across this historic city, before heading out to check out the Royal Mile, Arthur’s Seat or that cannon that goes off every day at one o’clock.
Where: 1 Festival Square, Edinburgh, EH3 9SR
Website:www.sheratonedinburgh.co.uk
Shoreditch House
Ever wonder how hipsters keep cool? It’s not hard to see why Shoreditch House remains one of London’s most popular private members clubs. Yes, it has great restaurants, an exclusive membership list and fantastic facilities, but surely the real reason is the rooftop pool? Heaving in summer, but for good reason. The pool may be shallow but it’s cooling and perfect for the summer sun.
It’s not hard to see why Shoreditch House remains one of London’s most popular private members clubs.
Where: Ebor Street, Shoreditch, E1 6AW
Website:www.shoreditchhouse.com
The Ned
Another Soho House creation, The Ned, incorporates the group’s signature move with a rooftop pool. Sitting in the centre of The City, the pool at The Ned is small but perfectly formed, allowing you to bathe while looking out toward St Paul’s, or basking in the sun poolside before heading downstairs to graze in one of the myriad restaurants.
Another Soho House creation, The Ned, incorporates the group’s signature move with a rooftop pool.
Where: 27 Poultry, The City, EC2R 8AJ
Website:www.thened.com
Canary Riverside Plaza Hotel
Sing like a canary about the view in a rooftop pool you can enjoy all year round (coz inside). Sat atop a three storey gym, offering a sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy pools, the 20 metre ‘infinity edge lap pool’ peers down onto the Thames. Oh, and it was in a Bond movie, pretending to be Shanghai.
Where: 46 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London E14 8RS
Website:www.canaryriversideplaza.com
St Brides Spa Hotel
To Wales, where the St Brides Spa Hotel rooftop pool looks out across Saundersfoot, on the Pembrokeshire coast. The hotel’s commanding clifftop position is ideal for relaxation, or after a long day’s hiking along a coast so beautiful they’ve made it a national park.
The hotel’s commanding clifftop position is ideal for relaxation, or after a long day’s hiking.
Where: Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, SA69 9NH
Website:www.stbridesspahotel.com
Sky Pool
Those looking for something a little different, Sky Pool is the one to bookmark. Located in Embassy Gardens, it’s the world’s first Sky Pool. It’s constructed out of thick acrylic, taking inspiration from some of the world’s most impressive aquaria. Stretching 15 metres between the Embassy Gardens’ Legacy Building and 35 metres high, the terrifying glass pool is as impressive as it is eye-catching. It is however exclusively available to use by residents of Embassy Gardens.
Where: New Union Square, 5 Nine Elms Lane, SW8 5BL
Website: www.embassygardens.com
The Mondrian Shoreditch
Laurel’s on the Rooftop is the exciting restaurant-slash-pool hideout from the Mondrian Shoreditch London, offering Londoners a rooftop oasis to venture to this summer. Inspired by 1970s Hollywood and the legacy of Laurel Canyon in LA, it serves up a slice of California through its interiors, food and of course rooftop pool.
WHERE: 45 CURTAIN ROAD, SHOREDITCH, EC2A 3PT
WEBSITE: WWW.SBE.COM
White City House
Shepherd’s Bush was always going to be a slightly harder sell to potential Soho House members. This spot isn’t your usual Soho House territory but it’s well worth visiting alone for the rooftop pool. Head here when the sun is blaring and get the cocktails flowing.
Where: 2 Television Centre, 101 Wood Ln, Shepherd’s Bush, W12 7FR
Website:www.sohohouse.com
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