Britain’s Best Rooftop Pools For A Dip
Who doesn’t love a dip in a rooftop pool this time of year? While the sun is out, there’s nothing quite like diving into a pool with a view. If you’re looking for some inspiration, 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:
Shangri-La Hotel The Shard, London
Strictly not a rooftop pool, but given it’s higher than every other rooftop in town, and affords rooftop views, it would be a shame not to mention the pool at Shangri-La Hotel The Shard, London. Where better to gaze on St Paul’s or The Gherkin than from the 52nd floor? Officially, the highest pool in Europe, a dip here is truly memorable.
Where: 31 St Thomas Street, London, 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 is set atop the 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
The Berkeley, London
The Berkeley Rooftop Bar is a gorgeous rooftop space to spend a summer afternoon. Boasting unrivalled views over Knightsbridge, Belgravia and Hyde Park’s treetops, you can book a table or get yourself a striped lounger to relax on. Specially launched for the summer is Capri in the City, a seasonal pop-up inspired by the island’s picturesque coastline and its endless blue Mediterranean Sea views. Capri in the City celebrates Italy’s colourful, laid-back beach clubs with a Riviera-inspired menu of cocktails and dishes, so you have the chance to live the Dolce Vita lifestyle without leaving the city.
Where: The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RL
Website: www.the-berkeley.co.uk
Shoreditch House, London
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.
If there’s one thing Soho house does well it’s rooftop pools in unexpected places and this one is no different. There’s minimal lounger space though so this is one for those who really do want to get wet!
Robyn, Managing Director
Where: 1 Ebor Street, Shoreditch, E1 6AW
Website:www.shoreditchhouse.com
The Ned, London
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, London, EC2R 8AJ
Website:www.thened.com
Canary Riverside Plaza Hotel, London
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
Sky Pool, London
For 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: Nine Elms, Gdns SW11 7AY
Website: www.embassygardens.com
White City House, London
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, London, W12 7FR
Website:www.sohohouse.com
Ragdale Hall, Leicestershire
There’s now one more reason than pork pies to visit Melton Mowbray. Nearby country house hotel, Ragdale Hall, has an exciting pool worth talking about, which 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
Manchester hasn’t been this cool since Oasis was at its height. And keeping the city street cred, King Street Townhouse brings its A-game courtesy of a rooftop pool. The 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
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
St Brides Spa Hotel, Wales
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.
Having been closed for renovations, the St Brides Spa Hotel will reopen at the end of May with refined interiors, revitalised dining experiences and spa upgrades.
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
Thermae Spa, Bath
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 is only elevated 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
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