Andark Lake
ENTRY
from £69.50
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Southampton
What it’s like
Open water swimming, paddleboarding and scuba training in a lake built for it, plus a café for afterwards.
This is a proper watersports lake rather than a paddling spot, so what you do here depends on what you fancy. There's open water swimming (including parent and child sessions), stand up paddleboarding, and scuba diving training on purpose built platforms at 1.5 and 3.4 metres, dropping to 7 metres in the middle. Dogs get their own swim sessions too, if that's more your speed.
None of this is casual pricing. A block of 10 swims runs £69.50 solo or £75 for a family and friends block, and it works out cheaper per swim than paying as you go, so it suits someone who'll actually use it regularly rather than a one-off visit. Paddleboard parties for up to 10 are £150 an hour, or £200 with inflatables thrown in, and SUP lesson parties for up to 8 kids run £180 to £300 depending on length. Room hire for a birthday alone is £50 to £55 for two hours, with a £6 a head food menu of the sausages-and-chips variety.
It's worth knowing this isn't a lifeguarded lake, and the site is upfront that it gets very busy, so booking ahead online is the sensible move even though you can pay on the day if there's space. The café does homemade cakes and all-day breakfasts, with last food orders at 4.30pm, and there are hot showers, lockers and a shop on site for anyone who's forgotten their gear. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, which rules out a spontaneous weekend dip.
Beyond the regular sessions there are the special swims worth watching the calendar for: Full Moon, Halloween, Fireworks and Glow swims, which sound like the sort of thing that turns a normal swim session into an actual occasion.
Facilities
Need to know
- Last entry
- Last food order 4:30pm
- Booking
- Pre-book online to secure your lake activity, or pay on the day if spaces available
- Food
- Lake café with homemade cakes, all-day breakfasts, freshly prepared lunches, smoothies, and locally sourced treats
- Parties
- Room hire from £55 for two hours with catering menu (sausage/chicken nuggets, chips, beans, squash £6pp
- Not a lifeguarded lake, so it's down to you to judge confidence in open water
- It gets busy, book online ahead rather than risk turning up on spec
- Opens Monday to Friday only, 9am to 5pm, no weekend hours listed
- Block swim cards save money over paying per session if you'll be going regularly
- Changing Places facilities are on site alongside the standard toilets and lockers
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
A block of 10 individual swims is £69.50, or £129 for 20. A family and friends block of 10 is £75, which works out a bit cheaper if you're splitting it.
Do we need to book?
You can pre-book online to guarantee a spot, or pay on the day if there's space. They do say to check the calendar first because it gets busy.
Is the lake lifeguarded?
No, it isn't a lifeguarded lake, so it's on you to judge who's confident enough in open water.
What's there for scuba divers?
It's a purpose built inland diving lake with beach type entry, handrails, training platforms at 1.5 and 3.4 metres, and a maximum depth of 7 metres. It suits PADI, BSAC and SSI course components.
Can we do paddleboarding?
There are SUP lessons and sessions, plus paddleboard party packages. A one hour paddleboard party is £150 for up to 10 people, or £200 with inflatables added.
What about birthday parties?
Room hire is £50 to £55 for two hours, with a £6 a head food menu (nuggets or sausages, chips, beans, squash, veggie options available). There are also SUP lesson parties for up to 8 kids from £180.
Can dogs come?
There are dog swimming sessions, and the site is dog friendly generally.
What food is there?
The lake café does homemade cakes, all-day breakfasts, fresh lunches and smoothies. Last food orders are 4.30pm.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. There's no weekend opening listed.
Is there anything for a parent and toddler swim?
There are Parent & Child swim sessions alongside the general open water swimming.
Do I need my own gear?
There's hire available if not: wetsuits, drysuits, regulators, BCDs and cylinders can all be hired individually or as a pack from £45.
Are there any special events?
They run Full Moon Swim, Halloween Swim, Fireworks Swim and Glow Swim sessions through the year.
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