An autumnal trip to Brighton’s Sea Lanes

A new pool by the sea provided the perfect opportunity for super swim in the British drizzle.

For some time we had wanted to get out to one of Sussex's lovely lidos, but Pells Pool, Lewes offers limited opening in the winter and Saltdean in Brighton has been closed in the winter, though it is being refurbished and promises to be year round once it reopens.

So we were very excited when Sea Lanes opened in Brighton and found a free Friday to enjoy a rainy train journey and a walk along a blustery seafront before arriving at the very hip boxpark-style venue.

It is quite a pricey swim, at £11.00 per person, and we were surprised at how narrow 'Britain's National Open Water Swimming Centre' is: just three lanes, though it is 50 metres long. Those are the down sides, but there are plenty of positives, starting with the changing rooms which are pristine, with all recycled materials – signposted of course!

The pool is heated, which was quite a treat given the weather and the rapidly dropping temperatures in our local unheated lido. It has low sides and is only separated from the pebbly beach by clear Perspex meaning that as you swim you can see right down to the sea. This was a true treat because as we swam the sun peeped out from behind the clouds over the water and I smiled every time I breathed to that side and took in the view.

The staff are friendly and the locals are clearly very proud of their new facility. All in all it was a very cool day out, and I would recommend a visit.