Our Dorset Life

After sharing a gorgeous lake retreat at Walnut Farm, and a lovely swimming lake at Litton Lakes so many of you wanted more Dorset lake ideas, so I thought I’d pull together a proper guide.

Some of these are places where you can actually swim. Some are better for sauna dips, paddleboarding, fishing, glamping, walking or family days out. And some are just really beautiful places to wander around and enjoy being near the water.

The important thing to say first is that not every lake is safe or open for swimming, so always check before you go. Check whether swimming is allowed, booking details, safety rules, water quality, dog rules, weather conditions and whether children are allowed.

Here are a few Dorset lakes worth saving.

For lake swims

Walnut Farm Glamping, West Dorset

This is the lake retreat from my recent reel, and it really is such a special find.

Walnut Farm is set among ancient orchards and wildflower meadows in West Dorset, with luxury yurts, countryside views, hot tubs and two spring-fed swimming lakes. It feels peaceful, a little bit wild and like the kind of place you’d book when you really want to switch off. Their yurts also have views over the swimming lake, which is what makes it feel so magical.

Best for: luxury glamping, lake dips, hot tubs, birthdays, couples, friends and peaceful Dorset stays.
Website: https://www.walnutfarmglamping.com/
Postcode: check directly when booking.

Litton Lakes, near Bridport

Litton Lakes is a lovely one if you want a relaxed lake day close to Bridport.

It’s a campsite and activity lake where you can swim, paddleboard, kayak or picnic, so it works well for families, campers or anyone looking for a simple outdoor day by the water. It also has the added bonus of Ember Haus on site, so you can combine a lake dip with a sauna session.

Best for: swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, camping, family lake days and a relaxed West Dorset feel.
Website: https://www.littonlakes.co.uk/
Postcode: DT2 9DH.

Swineham Open Water Swimming, Wareham

This is more of a proper open-water swimming venue than a casual family lake day.

Swineham Lake is a NOWCA-validated open-water swimming venue near Wareham. It’s described as being in Wareham’s countryside, close to the RSPB reserve at Arne. The venue says swimmers need to be able to swim at least 560m non-stop unless part of a pre-booked coaching group, so this is better for confident swimmers rather than casual dipping.

Best for: confident swimmers, open-water training and proper lake swimming.
Website: https://www.sows.org.uk/wp/
Postcode: BH20 4JD.

Silverlake Estate, near Dorchester

Silverlake is more of a luxury lakeside stay than a day-visit swim spot, but it’s worth knowing about.

Their open-water swimming is exclusive to people staying at Silverlake, so it’s one to look at if you want a proper Dorset staycation with lake life built in. It has lakes, holiday homes, nature, water-based activities and that more elevated retreat feel.

Best for: luxury lakeside stays, open-water swimming for guests, paddleboarding and a more polished staycation.
Website: https://www.silverlakedorset.com/
Postcode: DT2 8HU.

For sauna and cold dips

Ember Haus, Litton Lakes

This is such a lovely addition to West Dorset.

Ember Haus is a premium outdoor sauna experience at Litton Lakes, with a cube sauna that looks out over the lake. It’s exactly the kind of thing that feels like a proper reset: sauna, cold dip, lake views, fresh air and a chance to actually slow down for a bit.

Best for: sauna and cold dips, friend catch-ups, birthdays, evening resets and doing something restorative close to Bridport.
Website: https://www.ember-haus.co.uk/
Postcode: DT2 9DH.

Walnut Farm Glamping

Walnut Farm also works really well for this category because you have the combination of lake swims, hot tubs and a peaceful glamping stay.

It’s one I’d look at for a birthday weekend, a romantic night away, or a slower trip with friends.

Best for: lake dips, hot tubs, luxury yurts and switching off properly.
Website: https://www.walnutfarmglamping.com/

Silverlake Estate

Silverlake is another option if you want the lake-stay experience with a more polished, luxury feel.

It’s not a drop-in swim spot, but if you’re staying there, the lakes are part of the experience.

They are also opening a spa soon, check out Firefly.

Best for: luxury stays, lake life and a special occasion break.
Website: https://www.silverlakedorset.com/

For lakeside stays

Mangerton Lake, near Bridport

This is a really lovely one to add if you’re looking for something close to Bridport.

Mangerton Lake has a fishing lake and accommodation, including a Tiny Home on the lake, bell tents, a pod and a barn conversion. The Tiny Home sleeps up to four adults and two children, and the bell tents sleep up to four guests with lake views.

It feels like the kind of place that would be lovely for a simple countryside stay, especially if someone in the family loves fishing.

Best for: fishing stays, tiny-home breaks, bell tents, families, couples and being close to Bridport.
Website: https://mangertonlake.co.uk/
Postcode: DT6 3SF.

Whistley Waters, North Dorset

Whistley Waters is a peaceful 15-acre retreat in North Dorset, with two quirky self-catering wooden lodges overlooking four well-stocked fishing lakes. It also sounds lovely for nature lovers, with bird books, binoculars, pond-dipping jars and seasonal foraging mentioned on site.

Best for: quiet fishing breaks, peaceful countryside stays and slower weekends.
Website: https://www.whistleywaters.com/
Postcode: DT10 2AY.

Whistley Farm, North Dorset

Whistley Farm has hand-built Scandinavian-style lodges overlooking private lakes, which are available for coarse fishing exclusively for guests. It’s another good one if you want that lakeside lodge feeling rather than a busy holiday park.

Best for: fishing lodge holidays, quiet stays and countryside views.
Website: https://whistleyfarm.com/
Postcode: DT10 2AY.

Highway Farm, Bridport

Highway Farm is near Bridport and offers holiday accommodation and fishing lakes. Their site says the lakes can be used by people staying in the accommodation or those who live nearby, subject to their rules.

Best for: fishing near Bridport, holiday accommodation and a quieter countryside break.
Website: https://highwayfarm.co.uk/
Postcode: DT6 6YG.

For fishing breaks

Mangerton Lake

A peaceful fishing lake close to Bridport with day-ticket fishing and lakeside accommodation. This is one I’d add if you want a West Dorset fishing option that also works as a stay.

Best for: day-ticket fishing, lakeside stays and a quiet Dorset break.
Website: https://mangertonlake.co.uk/

Highway Farm

A Bridport option with accommodation and fishing lakes, good if you want to stay locally and fish without having to travel far.

Best for: Bridport stays, fishing breaks and countryside accommodation.
Website: https://highwayfarm.co.uk/

Whistley Waters / Whistley Farm

Both are good North Dorset options for a slower fishing break, with lodges overlooking the lakes.

Best for: quiet fishing stays, nature and peaceful countryside weekends.
Websites:
https://www.whistleywaters.com/
https://whistleyfarm.com/

For beautiful lake walks

The Blue Pool, Wareham

The Blue Pool is one of Dorset’s prettiest lake days out.

It’s known for its beautiful blue water, woodland trails, picnic spots and magical feel. This one is very much for walking and taking in the view rather than swimming. The official visitor information talks about the Azalea Walk around the lake and extra paths around the reserve.

Important: this is not a swimming lake.

Best for: woodland walks, photos, a slower day out and that magical Dorset feel.
Website: https://bluepooltearooms.co.uk/
Postcode: BH20 5AR.

Sculpture by the Lakes, Dorchester

Sculpture by the Lakes is set at Pallington Lakes near Dorchester and has 26 acres of botanical gardens with contemporary sculptures. It’s beautiful, calm and a lovely place to wander slowly, especially if you want something a bit different.

Best for: art, gardens, lakeside calm, lunch and a grown-up Dorset day out.
Website: https://www.sculpturebythelakes.co.uk/
Postcode: DT2 8QU.

Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park, Dorchester

This is a really nice family-friendly one near Dorchester. Kingston Maurward has gardens, a lake, an animal park and plenty of space for a gentle family day out. Their gardens are described as being set in Dorset countryside with a lake, formal gardens and national plant collections.

It’s not a swimming lake, but it’s lovely for wandering, animals and a low-key family day.

Best for: families, gardens, animals, lake views and a gentler day out.
Website: https://animal-park.kmc.ac.uk/
Postcode: DT2 8PY.

Moors Valley Country Park

Moors Valley is a great family option with lakeside walks, forest trails, play areas and lots to keep children busy.

I’d include it under lake walks and family days rather than swimming. It’s one of those places where you can make a full day of it without overthinking things.

Best for: families, play trails, forest walks, cycling and lakeside views.
Website: https://moors-valley.co.uk/
Postcode: BH24 2ET.

Longham Lakes, near Ferndown

Longham Lakes is a good one for a quieter East Dorset walk.

It has lakeside paths, birdlife, water views and fishing. South West Lakes Trust describes Longham Lake as one of Dorset’s top coarse fisheries.

Best for: peaceful lakeside walks, birdwatching, fishing and an easy East Dorset option.
Website: https://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/longham-lakes
Postcode: BH22 9AB.

For family water fun

Dorset Adventure Park, Corfe Castle

This is lake fun rather than a peaceful swim.

Dorset Adventure Park is set across two lakes, Woodland Lake and Castle Lake, with views of Corfe Castle. It has an inflatable waterpark, obstacles, slides and water activities, so it’s a brilliant one for older children and families who want something active.

Best for: family water fun, older children, inflatable waterpark and an active summer day.
Website: https://dorsetadventurepark.com/
Postcode: BH20 5JG.

Litton Lakes

Litton Lakes also fits here because it’s good for paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming and a relaxed family lake day.

Best for: family lake days, paddleboarding, swimming and camping.
Website: https://www.littonlakes.co.uk/

Warmwell Holiday Park

Warmwell is a family holiday park rather than a natural swim lake, but it’s worth knowing about if you want a lodge-style stay with activities and lakes.

I’d position it as a family stay with fishing lakes and activities rather than somewhere to go for a lake swim.

Best for: family lodge holidays, activities and fishing lakes.
Website: https://www.parkdeanresorts.co.uk/location/dorset/warmwell/

A few worth-the-drive lake ideas

Whitmore Lakes, Somerset

Whitmore Lakes is slightly outside Dorset, but worth knowing about if you’re looking for open-water swimming nearby. Their site describes it as an open-water venue, but notes that activities are un-lifeguarded and undertaken at your own risk, so it’s one to research properly before you go.

Best for: open-water swimming, nearby Somerset trips and confident swimmers.
Website: https://whitmorelakes.co.uk/

Clawford Lakes, Devon

Clawford Lakes is another “worth the drive” option rather than Dorset, but it’s useful if you’re looking for a lakeside stay with swimming, paddleboarding, fishing and lots of activities.

Best for: lake stays, family activities, fishing, swimming and a bigger countryside break.
Website: https://www.clawfordlakes.co.uk/

Save this for your next Dorset lake day.

Sarah x