The Lake · Full Moon
Swim under the full moon.
Once a month, when the moon is full, the lake opens after dark. A lifeguarded night swim, the cedar sauna glowing on the shore, a sound bath in the tipi, and a hot drink by the fire afterwards.
What it is
Cold water, moonlight, and not much else.
Bring a tow float and a head torch and swim out into the dark with the moon on the water. The lifeguards are on the bank, the sauna is lit, and there's hot chocolate and a fire pit waiting when you climb out. Heat and cold together do something good for the body; the moon and the quiet do the rest.
Start the evening with a sound bath in the lakeside tipi, or come just for the water. Every ticket includes a hot drink.
Three ways in
Pick your evening.
Do one, or stack them: sound bath first, then swim or swim and sauna.
Full moon sound bath
An hour in the lakeside tipi with gongs and bowls as the moon rises. The gentlest way in, and a good pairing with a swim afterwards.
- Lakeside tipi, 4.30–5.30pm
- Hot drink included
- No swimming required
Full moon swim
A lifeguarded night swim in the lake, then hot chocolate by the fire pit. Two slots each full moon.
- 6–7pm or 8–9pm
- Hot drink included
- Bring a tow float and head torch
Full moon swim & sauna
The swim, plus the ten‑person cedar sauna on the shore, looking out over the water. Cold, hot, repeat.
- 6.30–7.30pm or 8.30–9.30pm
- Hot drink included
- Towel and swimwear for the sauna
Next full moons
Dates for the diary.
Sessions are listed here as soon as they're on the booking system. The moon doesn't wait; the good slots go first.
- Mon 26 Oct
Full moon evening
Sound bath 4.30–5.30pm · Swim 6–7pm or 8–9pm · Swim & sauna 6.30–7.30pm or 8.30–9.30pm
- Tue 24 Nov
Full moon evening
Sound bath 4.30–5.30pm · Swim 6–7pm or 8–9pm · Swim & sauna 6.30–7.30pm or 8.30–9.30pm
What to bring
Kit for the dark.
It's a normal lake swim with the lights off, so the usual kit plus two things that matter more at night.
- A tow float with a light, or a head torch, so the lifeguards can see you
- Swimwear, a towel and warm layers for afterwards; a woolly hat helps
- Neoprene gloves and socks if you feel the cold; wetsuits welcome
- Changing is by the lake; the sauna and fire are a few steps from the water
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
You should be comfortable in open water and happy swimming in the dark. Lifeguards are on the bank throughout, and you can stay close to the shore. If it's your first cold-water swim, a daytime session first is a better place to start.
What if it's cloudy?
The swim goes ahead whatever the sky is doing; the moon is the excuse, not the point. We only cancel for lightning or dangerous conditions, and you'd be moved to the next date or refunded.
How cold is the water?
It depends on the month: mild in early autumn, properly cold from November. Swims are short and the sauna and fire are right there.
Can I do the sound bath and a swim?
Yes. The sound bath finishes at 5.30pm and the first swim starts at 6pm, so book both and stay for the evening.
Is it members' price?
Lake and Full Estate members get their usual discount on swims and sauna. Sign in to your Waresley account when you book.
Where do I park?
In the main car park; the lake is a five-minute walk down the track, so bring the torch for that too.
Full moon
See you at the water.
One night a month. Book the next one before it fills.