While Dorset Adventure Park in Corfe Castle is usually associated with excited youngsters, there’s now an opportunity to enjoy more peaceful early morning swims in the spring-fed lake.
The Wild Swimming Co is to provide open water swimming sessions professionally managed by qualified lifeguards starting from Saturday 12th September 2026, giving local people and visitors the opportunity to experience the physical and mental benefits of swimming in nature throughout the year.
The lake with a great view of Corfe Castle
Cold water dip for wellbeing
Within sight of the iconic silhouette of the National Trust’s Corfe Castle and surrounded by woodland, the lake offers a peaceful setting for swimmers of all abilities, from complete beginners taking their first dip to experienced open water swimmers training for longer-distance events.
Visitors can have a refreshing cold water dip for wellbeing, build confidence as a beginner, or swim continuous 160 metre loops around the lake for fitness and endurance.
During the summer, swimmers will be able to enjoy circling the giant inflatable course before the park opens to the public each day, while throughout the winter the lake becomes more tranquil, offering swimmers exclusive access.
Co-founder of the Wild Swimming Co Richard Lloyd, who lives with his family in Swanage
“Our vision is to build a community”
Co-founder of the Wild Swimming Co Richard Lloyd said:
“Our aim is to increase participation in open water swimming – sometimes swimming in the sea can be a bit daunting while in a lake like this one it can be a lot easier to try out an activity. For those more experienced, it can allow swimmers to do a long distance, almost whatever the weather.
“The lake is also properly cold in the winter which I see as a positive! The health benefits of cold water swimming are well documented, helping with arthritis, improving the immune system, and increasing blood flow. Of course, all in a well controlled environment with supervision.
“At each session there will be a lifeguard at the entry to the water and one in the lake, plus a manager on site, who is also a qualified open water lifeguard.
“I’m hoping to also offer an introduction to cold water swimming workshop in the future, which will be ideal for beginners.
“Our vision is to build a community with some people coming to train, others to relax, others simply to enjoy a coffee after a dip. We want Castle Lake to become somewhere people look forward to visiting every week.”
The wood-fired sauna in an idyllic setting
Plus the plunge pool overlooking the lake
Lakeside wood-fired sauna
To begin with, the sessions will be on Saturday and Tuesday mornings from 7 am to 8 am and 8 am to 9 am, bookable via The Wild Swimming Co website, however there is scope to provide other sessions in future depending on demand. There will also be occasional evening sessions and full moon swims
Visitors can add a session in the lakeside wood-fired sauna to their swim, and relax afterwards with hot drinks and homemade cake from the on-site snack shack.
Facilities include changing rooms, free parking, and warm outdoor showers, weather permitting.
The castle remains can be clearly seen from the lake
Jack Thompson from Dorset Adventure Park is pleased to be working with The Wild Swimming Co
“Fantastic facility”
Dorset Adventure Park, set within 18 acres of woodland and lakes, was founded by Liz and Robert Mulliner in 2016 as a waterpark, with a two kilometre mud trail created two years later in 2018.
It was sold in October 2024 to the outdoor company Cumulus and it is now established as one of the best outdoor activity centres in Dorset.
Jack Thompson from Dorset Adventure Park said:
“We have a fantastic facility here in Purbeck and we want it to be used all year round by all different groups of people.
“Obviously, the inflatables attract lots of visitors over the summer but there is much less use of the facilities over the quieter periods, so we were really pleased to offer The Wild Swimming Co the chance to run its swimming sessions throughout the year.
“We also know that we can rely on The Wild Swimming Co to run the sessions properly and safely.
“The Castle Lake always has excellent water quality and will continue to be tested on a monthly basis throughout the winter as well as the summer.
“It is spring-fed, so there is a constant supply of fresh water that tops up the lake naturally, even throughout the recent long hot summer, so we are very lucky!”
Swimmers will be able to circumnavigate the inflatables in the summer but they will be removed for the winter
“Sink or swim!”
Richard who recently left his job with outdoor company Land and Wave to fully concentrate on the Wild Swimming Co added:
“As well as offering this new opportunity at the Dorset Adventure Park, we run The Wild Swimming Festival in Swanage Bay over two days in July every year.
“Plus there’s lots of other swimming events that we organise, alongside swimming holidays around the UK and Europe.
“Running your own company is hard but it’s really worthwhile – I guess it is sink or swim!”
Further information
- Open water sessions available every Tuesday and Saturday morning from Saturday 12th September 2026 at Dorset Adventure Park, Corfe Castle, Dorset BH20 5JG
- Suitable for cold water dippers, beginners, fitness swimmers and experienced open water swimmers
- Book via The Wild Swimming Co website
- More about Dorset Adventure Park
