Stanhope Open Air Swimming Pool

24/02/2026

Since we sorted the Pool Lease issues out the Trustees have set up various work groups to determine what work is needed to renovate the pool and plant and start the process of raising the necessary funds needed for that work. In due course more detail will be given but be certain we'll let you know. There is a lot to do in order to get to the position of being open for many more years.

If you wish to support our efforts you can donate via paypal on our website at

Support us As we are a charity we rely on the support of the community and our users. Stanhope Pool now has the task of raising funds in order to refurbish the pool and plant. We will be applying for grants but this is likely to require matched funding from us. We are unlikely to have enough so will...

26/01/2026

Anyone who wishes to donate to the refurbishment fund please follow the link below:

Support us As we are a charity we rely on the support of the community and our users. Stanhope Pool now has the task of raising funds in order to refurbish the pool and plant. We will be applying for grants but this is likely to require matched funding from us. We are unlikely to have enough so will...

26/01/2026

GOOD NEWS FROM WEARDALE OPEN AIR SWIMMING POOL

We are delighted to announce that we have agreed a new 30-year lease with our landlords. Weardale Open Air Swimming Pool first opened in 1974, with a life expectancy of 30 years. The hard work of our wonderful volunteers kept things going for much longer, but the pool infrastructure now needs complete renovation.

The challenging task of significant fundraising now begins to support essential works which include but are not limited to relining the pool and refurbishing its surrounds; rewiring of the entire site; refurbishing the plant room and boiler and upgrading the changing rooms and snack bar. We now need to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds, and we cannot do this without your help and support.

There is a great deal to do. We have appointed several new trustees and set up a project management group to take the work forward, and many local people and businesses have already stepped up to offer funding or practical help as we have returned to the site and taken first steps to consolidate it. If you can help us in any way, please visit our website at www.stanhopepool.co.uk or email [email protected].

Essential information: Stanhope Pool is run by a Registered Charity and leases the pool site from a private landlord.

16/11/2024

The committee would like to thank everyone who attended the public meeting. This well attended meeting was to update Weardale on the current status of plans for the pool and to gauge public support. If you would like more information about this meeting we have added a section to our website here: https://stanhopepool.co.uk/save-our-pool/

At the end of the meeting a survey was handed out. This survey has been created to gather opinions from others who could not attend and from supporters further afield. We'd love to hear your views here: https://forms.gle/h5KVwx2j62SyFMKP9

20/10/2024

Public Meeting

17/05/2023

A letter from the manager

It is with a truly heavy heart that we have to announce we will be unable to open this season. We suffered a major electrical failure at the end of last season, and the months of down time have only worsened this issue. Please know that we have done everything in our power to be able to get the issues fixed but due to the extent of the issues this simply hasn't been possible.

Ultimately, we are faced with the reality that the plant room - initially installed in the 1970s - would need to undergo significant restoration before it would be up to the required standard of performance, safety and reliability we need. This would be a costly and time-consuming endeavour, and simply not possible to complete in the limited time we have before we were due to open. Not only this, but, as anyone who has been following us will know, this season was the last year of our lease. This leaves our future in an incredibly uncertain position, and we have had to make the difficult decision to prioritise securing the extension of the lease, before we could justify making such a significant investment in the facility.

While we are in an uncertain position this is by no means the end for Stanhope Pool - however, we need your help. We cannot continue without a full committee and committed volunteers. If you feel you can help, please reach out to us via Facebook Messenger, or email us [email protected]. Our messages and emails are monitored by volunteers so please know that we will get back to you!

On a more personal note, I have been lucky enough to work at Stanhope Pool for the last 9 years, and I want to say thank you to everyone of you that has supported us and given all of our lifeguards some fantastic summer memories. It has been an absolute joy to manage the swimming pool on your behalf. And while I will remain involved with the swimming pool as a volunteer I am now stepping back from managing the facility.

On behalf of the committee and myself, we would like to thank everyone for their support. We hope to be able to work with you in the future to get your swimming pool to reflect the beauty of our community, and the surrounding area of Weardale.

Yours sincerely,
Ruth Haynes
Pool Manager

06/04/2023

We will be starting the cleaning and clearing process at the pool this Saturday 8th from 11-4 and Sunday 9th 1pm-4. Come along and help with the mountains of leaves.

We are at the start of the process that leads to opening in late May but with old decrepit plant lots can go wrong or be found faulty. So fingers crossed.

12/09/2022

The news coverage over the weekend brought to mind the occasion in 2004 when a few of the pools volunteers were invited to St James Palace having been nominated for and awarded the Queens Golden Jubilee Award for voluntary service by groups in the community. Stood next to Holbein's portrait of King Henry VIII, we had canapes and gin and for a short time had a chat to Queen Elizabeth and retinue about the joys of volunteering at Stanhope Pool to keep the facility that we have open for our users.

The Award is in the corner of the pool office.

The pool survives on its volunteers. If you would like to be involved please get in touch.

Julian

01/09/2022

We are devastated to have to announce that unfortunately due to staff illness we are having to cancel todays sessions.

We are so so sorry for any disappointment dissapointment

29/08/2022

Have you spotted us on BBC News? - Stanhope swimming pool seeks volunteers to keep it afloat

The open-air pool has enjoyed a busy summer but needs more people behind the scenes.

25/08/2022

When you shop at smile.amazon.co.uk, Amazon will donate to Stanhope Swimming Pool Ltd. Support us every time you shop.

20/08/2022

Unfortunately due to an electrical fault in the plant room we are unable to open tomorrow (Sunday 21st August)

All prebooked tickets will be refunded

We are so sorry for any disappointment