English lake that’s free to visit named one of the world’s best – and is the UK’s largest seawater infinity pool

A TIDAL POOL in Bristol has been named one of the best in the world by a team of experts.

Located on the shore of the Bristol Channel, Clevedon Marine Lake has been crowned one of the world's best natural swimming spots.

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Experts at travel insurance company  analysed factors like search demand and online reviews to find the best natural swimming pools in the world.

In the last 12 months, online searches for natural swimming pools rose 83 per cent year-on-year.

The travel insurance company defined natural swimming pools as "either naturally occurring pools that are formed through volcanic activity, tidal movements or erosion, or can be man-made but still function like a natural body of water – with non-chemically treated fresh or saltwater".

And two natural swimming pools in the UK made it into the top 12, including Clevedon Marine Lake in Somerset.

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Clevedon Marine Lake opened to the public in 1929 thanks to councillor Frederick Robert Nutting who believed a sea lake would be a great asset to the area.

When it first opened the tidal pool was equipped with a timber clubhouse, changing room, high diving and springboards.

There was also a row of bathing huts, deckchairs and a bandstand.

Before visitor numbers declined in the 1970s, the Somerset tidal pool remained a popular tourist attraction.

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After falling into a state of neglect, Clevedon Marine Lake was restored to its former glory thanks to a £1million renovation project.

Nowadays, Clevedon Marine Lake is considered the world's largest seawater infinity pool.

The Somerset swimming spot is the size of two football pitches with enough space for swimmers, paddleboarders and kayakers.

Clevedon Marine Lake is free to visit.

Even though it's manned by volunteers, Clevedon Marine Lake is open year-round and is only closed on certain days throughout the year.

The Somerset swimming spot has been praised by visitors online.

One person wrote on TripAdvisor: "What a super place, we were lucky to visit here on a beautiful day.

"I never thought I'd be able to swim 'in the sea' this far up the Bristol Channel - although at 13C it's not for the faint-hearted".

Another person wrote: "An amazing place to spend the day, I highly recommend".

Bude Sea Pool was also named one of the best natural swimming spots in the world by the travel insurance company.

Meanwhile, other lidos in the UK have been compared to much more exotic destination.

Shoalstone Seawater Pool in Brixham has been compared to Sydney's Bondi Iceburgs.

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Here's a pool in London which swimmers say feels like Tenerife.

And here's a hidden cove in Dartmouth that only locals know about.

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