Illustration of four lake swimmers in orange caps rounding a yellow buoy course from a wooden jetty, hills behind

Lakes guides

Lakes look still, and that is the trap. Depth, size, inlets, outlets and algae all change what you are swimming in.

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Safe lake swimming: the complete guide

10 min read

Lakes

Reservoirs and quarries: why most say no, and the ones that say yes

Why most reservoirs ban swimming, what makes flooded quarries risky, and how managed open water venues in former quarries do things differently.

24 Sept 2026 6 min read

Lakes

Blue-green algae: how to recognise it and when to stay out

What blue-green algae looks like, when blooms happen, the risks to you and your dog, how to check before a swim and who to report it to in the UK.

3 Sept 2026 5 min read

Lakes

Small, shallow lakes: warmer, and worth checking for algae

Small, shallow lakes warm up faster than big, deep ones. Why that happens, why they're linked to blue-green algae, and how to deal with weed.

20 Aug 2026 5 min read

Lakes

Inlets and outlets: cold pockets and the pull

Where water enters a lake it can be colder. Where it leaves, it can pull. What to check for inlets and outlets, and how to swim around dams and spillways.

2 Jul 2026 5 min read

Lakes

Why big, deep lakes stay cold below the surface

A warm top layer can sit on cold water all summer. How lakes stratify, how to size up a lake, and what it means for your swim.

11 Jun 2026 6 min read