Of course we’re blessed in Scarborough to have our pick of beaches to choose from but for when you fancy something a bit different, or want to avoid getting covered in sand, there are several fantastic outdoor alternatives not too far from town. Whether you want to soak up the sun and relax by the pool, challenge yourself with an open water swimming course or give wild swimming a go, you can do it all nearby. We’ve put together a list here of some of the different outdoor swimming options close by, some of which you might not be aware of - including a wild swimming spot voted in the top 20 in the UK.
9. Scaling Dam Reservoir
The sailing club at Scaling Dam run open water swimming sessions every Tuesday. There is no need to book, places are given to the first 60 swimmers. The course is 400m long in a beautiful setting. Photo: Anne Smith
10. Gormire Lake
Named by The Times as one of the UK’S top 20 natural swimming locations, this lake near Sutton Bank is a breathtaking place to swim. The water is calm, still and warm, although can house leeches. Photo: James Hardisty