Tag: Swimming
How Does Cornwall’s Geothermal Pool Work?
November 06th, 2020
With the winter months approaching and the Christmas chill starting to hang in the air, many of us will be longing for a way to warm up!
If you love being outside, but can’t face the thought of a dip in the bitter winter sea, then you might be more interested in submerging your stress in Cornwall’s new and organically-heated saltwater lido, the first in the UK of its kind.
In the future, when lockdown restrictions have eased, our hot tub cottages in Cornwall could be the perfect base for your trip to the Jubilee Pool. Enjoy a swim in the geothermal pool, and then relax your muscles when you get home with a soak in your hot tub!
The History of the Jubilee Pool
Recently opened in August, the lido harnesses renewable energy using an underground geothermic well that is astonishingly 410m deep. The idea was first brewed over a pint in a pub back in 2010 by Charlie Nixon.
The simple but sustainable idea was to create a heated pool with a low carbon footprint, inspired by a geothermal pool in New Zealand. From this thought, The Jubilee Pool was revitalized.
How it Works
Being the first of its kind in the UK, the technology works by extracting the heat from a local geothermal well using heat pumps. The hot water from the well is collected, then the heat from this water is extracted and distributed to the pool using a heat exchanger. The water from the well, now cold, is pumped back into the earth.
This process forms a sustainable cycle, generating a consistent temperature of 35°C to keep you toasty and make your winter swim beautifully bearable.
Facilities and Funding
This exciting project has not just implemented this new environmentally-friendly technology, but has also upgraded the facilities that were already in place. These include new changing rooms, doubled seating capacity, a new café and a multipurpose communal area.
This project has been funded by a mixture of shareholders, loans, and grants from various sources such as Power to Change, The Cooperative Community Investment Fund and Architectural Heritage Fund. This also includes the collective funding from 1,400 shareholders, with 970 of these being locals. The shareholders have managed to raise a staggering £540,000 for the £1.8m project.
Accessibility
Based in Penzance, The Jubilee Pool is open all year-round and accessible by bus and train, with a capacity of 50 people.
Due to the current conditions in place as a result of COVID-19, it might be worth noting that this capacity has been reduced to 15. But for those planning their upcoming excursions, this will be one to keep in mind.
**The lido will have to close again during the November 2020 lockdown**
The Lido is a true glimpse into the heart of the community of Cornwall, being made tangible by the efforts of the locals and lovers of the area thanks to funding. It is undeniable that The Jubilee Pool is a must-see.
What are your thoughts on The Jubilee Pool? Do you know of any other sustainable sights to see in the area? Or locally funded projects? Feel free to share with us on our social media channels; we would love to hear from you!
Where to Swim in the Sea in Cornwall
May 29th, 2020
With over 400 beaches packed into the Cornish coastline, there are plenty of incredible places perfect for that seaside swim. The sandy shores and turquoise waters are incredibly inviting, so even a quick dip is a must when you’re paying a visit to Cornwall in the warmer months!
Please Note: Due to COVID-19, it is currently advised not to go swimming in the sea, or partaking in other water sport activities in order to avoid putting lifeguards and rescue teams at risk should you come into difficulties in the water.
Ordinarily, it is also important to only try and swim at lifeguarded beaches, and between the red and yellow flags, which mark out safe areas for swimming. For more advice on beach safety, and the flag system, check out our previous post on staying safe at the beach.
Gyllyngvase
Falmouth’s most popular beach, Gyllyngvase is a hotspot on the south coast for water activities. This sandy stretch offers ample opportunity to paddle or take a deeper dip into the sea and swim. Need a break? The beach also has a café, perfect for a post-swim snack!
Carbis Bay
Carbis Bay beach is located close to St Ives, and offers a sheltered spot with a tropical feel, making it ideal for jumping into the sea. This beach is so good for swimming, in fact, that the location is used for an annual Biathlon, which involves running from St Ives to Carbis Bay, and then swimming from this beach over to Porthminster!
Perranuthnoe
Perranuthnoe beach is located on the south coast, where the sea is a little calmer and more sheltered than many of the north coast spots. This beach is an ideal swimming spot for many, as you are likely able to get in the water at both high and low tide, allowing you to swim when it suits you best. As well as this, Perranuthnoe beach is accompanied by a car park with easy access to the shore.
Kynance Cove
An iconic spot in Cornwall, Kynance Cove is the place to go if you’re looking for a casual swim with one of the most stunning backdrops in the county. Perhaps not the best for those who want to swim out far, but for an enjoyable dip into these azure waters, there’s no better place. As the water tends to be crystal clear here, it is also a great spot to try out some snorkelling!
Sea Pools in Cornwall
If you’re wary of waves and other dangers associated with swimming in the sea, then a sea pool may be just the answer for you. These natural pools are located near the beach and fill with seawater as the tide changes.
You can find a number of sea pools around the coast, with the Jubilee Pool in Penzance being the largest. You could also visit the Bude Sea Pool, Chapel Rock in Perranporth or the Porthtowan Tidal Pool.
When deciding where to swim in the sea in Cornwall, you should always check the tide times, local weather and wind conditions to ensure that it is safe for you.
After a day of exercise and activity in the sea, why not unwind at one of our hot tub cottages in Cornwall?! The warm water will help soothe any tired muscles, without even needing to change out of your swimsuit!
A look inside the exclusive leisure facilities at The Valley
November 09th, 2015
For anyone who isn’t familiar with what’s on offer when they book a stay here with us at The Valley, we thought we would give you an insight into some of the superb facilities that come as standard when you choose to stay here with us in the picturesque setting of our Carnon Downs, gated community.
Open-air swimming more popular than ever
January 08th, 2015
Open-air swimming is set to become more popular than ever in 2015, as it has recently exploded to include tens of thousands of enthusiasts regularly engaging in the activity.
