Skip to content

Plan for geothermal swimming pools in countryside

Stroud Waters CIC A computer generated image of an aerial view of the pools. It is a large organic shape with various green islands in the middle of the water. There are paved bridges and walkways surrounding the pools, and the whole site is surrounded by trees and hedges.Stroud Waters CIC
The natural outdoor swimming space would allow the community to enjoy nature all year round

Geothermal swimming pools could soon be built in the middle of the countryside, allowing swimmers to take a dip all year round.

The project, called Stroud Waters, would take place on Court Farm and be surrounded by the green pastures of the Cotswold Way in Gloucestershire.

The two pools would be filled with safe, clean water which would be naturally filtered by aquatic plants and biofiltration systems and heated by a geothermal well.

Amy Morris, the mastermind behind the "ambitious project", says they need to raise £36,000 for a feasibility study before spades can even hit the ground.

Amy Morris wearing a pink t-shirt underneath a blue padded zip up jacket. She has her blonde hair tied back in a ponytail on her left shoulder, and is smiling at the camera. She is standing in a field on Court Farm where the pools could be built.
Ms Morris says she is determined to "be kind to the environment and improve biodiversity" throughout the project

The study would reveal any potential obstacles to the design, such as whether the quality of the water meets UK bathing standards, geothermal infrastructure, and biodiversity considerations.

"We need concrete evidence that it's possible to create what we're thinking of," Ms Morris said.

"We want to make sure that we are getting all our ducks in a row so that when we present this to the council, they can see that we've thought of everything."

A view across a green field on a drizzly overcast day. The grass is a bright green but all the trees and hedges have their leaves missing. The sky is full of grey clouds.
The plot of land for the project has been donated by a local farmer

If the feasibility study proves successful, the project will be presented to the council for the pre-application consultation in summer 2025.

The scheme has currently raised £6,000 from the local community, along with £10,000 pledges from both Stroud District Council and renewable heating company, Thermal Earth.

The land is being donated by local farmer Adam Knight, who has also offered to convert an existing barn on the site into changing rooms and a sauna.

Stroud Waters CIC A computer generated image showing what the pools could look like once complete. It is a sprawling green landscape with fields, trees and hedges. In the centre there is a natural round pool with grassy bridges and a green island in the middle. In the background there is a wooden barn which has been converted into a sauna and changing rooms. There are lots of people surrounding the building and swimming in the pool.Stroud Waters CIC
The design includes a sauna, changing rooms and showers, a wellbeing space for hire, play areas and seating

The natural heating will work by extracting warm water from a geothermal well, transferring that heat to the pool before returning the cooler water back underground.

However, the plans also include a second pool which will change temperature naturally with the seasons.

Ms Morris says she became "addicted" to cold water swimming last year, while training for the Winter Swimming World Championships in Slovenia.

Stroud Waters CIC A computer generated image of what one of the pools will look like. It is a tiered infinity pool with three platforms. There is a set of steps to the right, leading down to the bottom pool. In the background there are trees, fields and hedges, and a wooden fence on the left. The water is bright green and blue with little splashing waves where water falls from the pool above.Stroud Waters CIC
Ms Morris says the two pools will vary in temperature to allow people to swim "whatever the season"

She says the sport offers untold benefits to her mental health and physical wellbeing, as well as strengthening her immune system and connection to nature.

"Water is so great for our mind body and souls, and it really is a great way to support community resilience," Ms Morris said.

"[This project] is really ambitious and it's got the wow factor about it, but that is why I know it's going to be an amazing success."

If all goes well, Ms Morris says she hopes the pools will be ready by 2026.

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

More on this story
Related Internet Links