New water attraction with geothermal pools, sauna and kids’ play area set to open in the English countryside

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A NEW water attraction could soon open in the English countryside with geothermal pools, a sauna and play areas, if plans are given the go-ahead.

Plans are underway to develop Stroud Waters on Court Farm in Gloucestershire.

Artist's rendering of proposed geothermal swimming pools in a rural setting.
The new water attraction will feature a geothermal pool, a play area for kids and an on-site sauna
Two people stand in front of a display promoting Stroud Waters, a proposed geothermal swimming pool project.
Amy Morris is the mastermind behind the new plans

The new water attraction hopes to be built on land donated by farmer Adam Knight.

Surrounded by the Cotswold Way, the project is the brainchild of Amy Morris who is a fan of cold water swimming.

Stroud Waters will feature two pools with water that’s been filtered by aquatic plants.

One of the pools will be heated by a geothermal well, meaning it will be warm throughout the year.

Meanwhile, the water temperature of the second pool will change naturally with the seasons.

An on-site barn will be converted into a sauna and changing rooms.

There will also be on-site play areas for kids, a wellbeing space that can be hired out and seating areas.

Ms Morris told the BBC: “[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.”

Before construction work can get underway, Amy Morris will need to raise £36,000 for a feasibility study, which would reveal any potential obstacles the new water attraction may face.

Morris added: “We need concrete evidence that it’s possible to create what we’re thinking of.

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“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 pre-application consultation will be put forward to the council this summer, if the feasibility study is a success.

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At the time of writing, the local community has raised £6,000, with £10,000 pledges being made by Stroud District Council and renewable heating company, Thermal Earth.

Until Stroud Waters gets given the go-ahead, there are several other geothermal pools Brits can visit in the UK.

One of those is a geothermal lido at The New Bath Hotel in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire.

Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse visited the lido last year, here’s what she thought.

Meanwhile, Jubilee Pool in PenzanceCornwall, reopened to visitors last May after it was forced to close over the winter.

These are some of the best lidos in the UK.

And people can’t believe that there’s a real sandy beach in London – and you can even get there by tube.

And Cleveland Pools in Bath, the oldest lido in the UK, reopened following a 20-year campaign by the Cleveland Pools Trust.

Here are some other outdoor pools in the UK to visit.

Proposed geothermal swimming pools in a rural setting.
Plans are underway to open Stroud Waters in a Gloucestershire
Aerial view of proposed geothermal swimming pools surrounded by landscaped parkland.
The new plans are set to undergo a feasibility study before a formal application can be submitted to the local council
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