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The best sea swimming pools in the UK to cool down in during the heatwave – and they are free to visit

WITH heatwaves set to once again push UK temperatures into the 30s, Brits across the country are searching for the best ways to keep cool.

One of the most effective methods is to take a dip in the sea, or an outdoor swimming pool.

We've rounded up the best places to cool down in which are free
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We've rounded up the best places to cool down in which are freeCredit: Facebook

However, there are places where you can do both at the same time, with sea pools popular places on sunny days.

Here are six of the best the UK has to offer.

La Vallette Bathing Pools, Guernsey

The Channel island of Guernsey has plenty of great sea swimming opportunities for locals and tourists, but the La Vallette bathing pools are one of the best.

They've provided outdoor saltwater swimming opportunities on the island for over 150 years and have four different pools to enjoy, including the Horseshoe, the ladies’ pool, the gents’ pool and the children’s pool.

La Vallette bathing pools in Guernsey has four different pools
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La Vallette bathing pools in Guernsey has four different poolsCredit: Alamy

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Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, Kent

The Walpole Bay pool in Margate is the country's biggest tidal sea pool and is so vast that swimming a width is about the same as doing six lengths of a 25m pool.

A mixture of people use the grade II listed facilities, from serious swimmers practicing open water swimming, to kids paddling in the shallow end.

Walpole Bay pool in Margate is the country's biggest sea pool
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Walpole Bay pool in Margate is the country's biggest sea poolCredit: Getty

Shoalstone Seawater Pool, Devon

On its website Shoalstone is described as "ideal for acclimatising to cold water swimming, and although it started a natural rockpool, it was turned into a tidal swimming pool almost 100 years ago.

Now it offers a free place to cool off on sunny days, although there is a recommended donation of £2 per swim to help towards running costs.

Shaolstone used to be a natural rockpool before it was made into a swimming pool
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Shaolstone used to be a natural rockpool before it was made into a swimming poolCredit: Facebook

Bude Sea Pool, Cornwall

This sea pool is partially manmade and is built into the rocks at Summerleaze Beach.

Its website boasts that it has "provided a haven for free and safe bathing and other water-based activities since the 1930s".

Bude's sea pool is the second highest rated thing to do in the town
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Bude's sea pool is the second highest rated thing to do in the townCredit: Getty

The Trinkie, Caithness, Scotland

"Trinkie" means trench and you can certainly see why this place was given such a name.

On a hot day, as many as 100 people turn up for a swim and a sunbathe at this rugged spot.

The Trinkie in Caithness attracts swimmers and sunbathers on hot days
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The Trinkie in Caithness attracts swimmers and sunbathers on hot daysCredit: Alamy

Blue Lagoon, Pembrokeshire

This former slate quarry is arguably one of the most beautiful spots for a swim in the country - and Red Bull has even held its cliff diving championships at this location three times.

It is advised to go as part of an organised group however, because of its depth and currents, but confident swimmers are able to go in on their own.

The blue lagoon in Wales is a former slate quarry and is popular with cliff divers
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The blue lagoon in Wales is a former slate quarry and is popular with cliff diversCredit: Alamy

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Brits have been warned against swimming in the sea in these parts of the country.

These are the secret beaches that will be quietest during the heatwave.

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