Our Lake

Set within the Northamptonshire countryside, our lake at Yoke Hill Leisure is a welcoming space for open water swimming, paddleboarding, wellbeing and reset.

Whether you are completely new to cold water swimming or already experienced in open water, the environment has been designed to help you move at your own pace.

The lake is approximately 150 metres in length with gradual entry into the water via wooden access steps, supporting a safer and more comfortable experience for swimmers entering the water. Sessions are supported by lifeguards and managed swim conditions, with safety remaining central to the experience.

Water quality and environmental conditions are regularly monitored, including checks relating to bacteria and blue-green algae, helping to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment throughout the season.

Swimwear & Saftey

Before entering the lake, all swimmers are required to wear appropriate swimwear and follow the guidance provided by the Yoke Hill team to help maintain a safe and supportive environment for everyone using the water.

All swim sessions at Yoke Hill are supported by trained lifeguards, who monitor lake conditions, swimmer safety and wellbeing throughout each session.

However, open water swimming carries inherent risks and all swimmers enter the water at their own risk. Lifeguards are there to supervise, support and respond in an emergency, but they cannot remove every risk associated with wild swimming.

Our approach is designed to create a calm, welcoming and well-managed environment for both experienced open water swimmers and those newer to cold water experiences.

We recommend bringing:

A towel or changing robe
Warm, dry clothes for afterwards
Easy footwear such as flip-flops or sliders for walking around Yoke Hill.
Tow float

At Yoke Hill, we encourage everyone to move at their own pace. Whether you are attending for your first cold water dip or are a regular open water swimmer, safety, wellbeing and enjoyment remain at the centre of the experience.

Lakeside changing

The lakeside changing area is communal in style and reflects the informal, supportive atmosphere that many of our visitors value. It’s part of what makes Yoke Hill feel different: people arrive as strangers and often leave having shared conversations, coffee, sauna time and moments of connection around the lake.

Alongside the changing area, we also provide a large toilet and changing space onsite, giving guests additional room to get changed comfortably before and after swims or sauna sessions.

We encourage guests to come prepared for an outdoor wellbeing experience by bringing:

Warm layers and dry clothes
A towel or changing robe
Easy footwear for walking to and from the lake