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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why on earth people in the UK have outdoor swimming pools?

80 replies

KenAdams · 30/04/2013 20:22

We're looking at houses at the moment and are coming across some that have outdoor pools. Why?! In the UK you'd hardly ever get to use them! And it's usually houses that could have had the money better spent in other ways.

OP posts:
UnChartered · 30/04/2013 20:22

YABU, that's a shit stealth boast Grin

ananikifo · 30/04/2013 20:23

YANBU. This is certainly not the climate for outdoor pools.

AmberLeaf · 30/04/2013 20:25

Because they can? I would...if I could.

AmberLeaf · 30/04/2013 20:25

Heated one though!

monsterchild · 30/04/2013 20:26

I don't know why anyone has a pool. A friend told me that if I wanted to know the feeling of having a pool every year I should take 3k put it on the table and light it on fire.

StanleyLambchop · 30/04/2013 20:29

Heated outdoor pools are still cold! Learned that at our holiday cottage last year.

McNewPants2013 · 30/04/2013 20:33

I would of thought these pool would have water heaters.

Talkinpeace · 30/04/2013 20:35

I swim outdoors in England all year.
My plumber fits the solar heating systems for pools.
One of my swimming buddies has a solar heated lane in her swimming lake - am angling for an invite to try it this summer.

LadyBeagleEyes · 30/04/2013 20:37

When i win the lottery I'mg going to buy a house with a sliding roof which I'll slide open on hot sunny days...
Actually no, i'll move to Greece.

cozietoesie · 30/04/2013 20:37

....in her swimming lake ........ ?

Oh my. Bringing out the big guns, Talkin?

Grin
TunipTheVegedude · 30/04/2013 20:37

I like cold water swimming. One day I will have one of those natural swimming ponds.
The colder it is, the bigger the adrenalin rush.

DreamsTurnToGoldDust · 30/04/2013 20:40

I wouldnt want an outside pool but I would love a natural swimming lake, I love wild swimming, best feeling ever (almost Grin)

GemmaTeller · 30/04/2013 20:41

At least five house near me have pools and only one of those is indoor.

HarrietSchulenberg · 30/04/2013 20:41

They only have them so they can park the Bentley in them when drunk, then brag about it later.

Talkinpeace · 30/04/2013 20:44

I cannot do really cold water (Raynauds) but I love my year round tan.

cozie yeah, she let that slip while swimming across somebody else's line "oh, well my lake is 30 m long and I'm used to that in the summer"

cozietoesie · 30/04/2013 20:46

Goodness. I'm afraid that I don't like water so pools have no appeal for me. Apart from the fact that they actually look nice - I've always fancied having an outdoor heated poolhouse with lots of plants and chaise longues. Just to laze around in!

Grin
suebfg · 30/04/2013 20:49

YANBU - I think they're a complete waste of money in this country. I've never quite understood why anyone (unless loaded to the point where money is no object) would want the hassle and cost of maintaining any sort of private swimming pool when you can join a perfectly nice leisure club and use their facilities.

Talkinpeace · 30/04/2013 20:53

cozie
I have a conservatory full of plants for those Kew Gardens moments

and suebfg : I totally agree - I go to the club pool and get a social life, a tan and have a swim.
The number of people with their own pools at the club amazes me.

McNewPants2013 · 30/04/2013 20:54

TunipTheVegedude are you joking brrrrrr it amazes me how people can do the boxing day swim

Moanranger · 30/04/2013 20:55

Ha! I am in the process of buying a bungalow with one of these & the first thing I am going to do is fill it in! Heated or no, why, why, why! I think they actually make it harded to sell TBH.
I was born in California so I know how much work they are.

TunipTheVegedude · 30/04/2013 20:57

You should try it McNewPants Wink

I went in on New Year's Day once when the air temp was minus five and the sea was warm in comparison. I was still on an endorphin high the next day.

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 30/04/2013 20:57

I know a couple of people who have outdoor pools in the UK. I would have one if I could afford to. There is nothing like swimming in the open air and going to a communal one is not the same thing at all.

In the meantime, there are the Ladies Ponds Grin

CloudsAndTrees · 30/04/2013 21:02

Lots of people seem to have them near where I live, and I admit to feeling jealous! For the vast majority of the year they are nothing but a waste of money, but on the days they can be used they are heaven!

McNewPants2013 · 30/04/2013 22:05

no chance in hell lol

FayeKorgasm · 30/04/2013 22:08

The previous owners of our house filled the one in in the garden. I'm glad, it saved us a job.

An outdoor pool is madness in the UK.