Plan your visit

Conditions, tide times, water quality and how to find us — everything you need before your first dip of the day.

Today at the lake

Updated 7:30am, 10 August 2026

Sea temperature

18°C

Measured at the steps

Water quality

Excellent

Tested 8 August

Next high tide

14:32

10.8m — the lake fills

Weather

21°C

Sunny, light south-westerly

Tide times

The lake fills on the high tide and the wall holds the water back as the sea drops away. That means there is always water to swim in — but the deepest, cleanest swim is in the hours either side of high water.

Today's tide

The lake fills on the high tide and holds it — here's how today looks.

14:32 Next high tide

00:0006:0012:0018:0024:00

Sea temp 18°C · Water quality Excellent Full tide table

The week ahead

Times are British Summer Time. Heights are metres above chart datum, from the Admiralty tide tables for Weston-super-Mare.
Day	First high	Height	Second high	Height	Best swim window
Mon 10 Aug	02:11	10.4m	14:32	10.8m	12:30 – 17:00
Tue 11 Aug	02:58	10.9m	15:18	11.2m	13:15 – 17:45
Wed 12 Aug	03:42	11.3m	16:01	11.5m	14:00 – 18:30
Thu 13 Aug	04:24	11.4m	16:44	11.4m	14:45 – 19:00
Fri 14 Aug	05:06	11.1m	17:26	11.0m	15:30 – 19:30
Sat 15 Aug	05:49	10.6m	18:09	10.4m	16:15 – 20:00
Sun 16 Aug	06:35	9.9m	18:57	9.7m	17:00 – 20:30

Spring tides fill the lake right over the wall On the biggest tides of the month the sea washes across the wall itself. It is a lovely thing to watch, and a poor moment to be standing on it — give the wall a wide berth for the hour either side of high water.

Water quality

Samples are taken from the steps and sent for testing every fortnight through the swim season, and monthly through the winter. Results are posted here and on the board by the entrance as soon as they come back.

Current rating Excellent

Sampled 8 August 2026. Both indicator bacteria came back well inside the Excellent threshold used for designated bathing waters.

After heavy rain

Run-off from the town can affect the whole bay after a downpour. We post a note here and on our social channels if we would rather you waited a day.

Rolling results for the 2026 season. Older results are kept in the lake’s annual report.
Sample date	E. coli (cfu/100ml)	Intestinal enterococci	Rating
8 August 2026	21	9	Excellent
25 July 2026	34	12	Excellent
11 July 2026	96	31	Good
27 June 2026	28	10	Excellent
13 June 2026	19	7	Excellent

Getting here and access

The lake sits at the northern end of the seafront, below Knightstone Island — a ten minute walk from the town centre along the prom.

Knightstone Road, Weston-super-Mare, Knightstone Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 2BE Open in Maps

On foot10 minutes from the High Street, along the prom

By trainWeston-super-Mare station, 15 minutes’ walk

By busServices 7, 20 and X1 stop on Beach Road

By carKnightstone Road pay and display, 100m away

By bikeRacks by the café; National Cycle Route 33 passes the door

Blue badgeFour bays on Knightstone Road, beside the ramp

Free to enter, always: there is no gate and no ticket. The lake is open water on a public seafront — come and go as you please, at any hour of the year.

Step-free access

A ramped path runs from Knightstone Road to the lakeside. The water itself is reached by steps; a portable pool hoist can be booked in advance for Wednesday sessions.

Ask about the hoist

Changing

Most swimmers change on the lakeside with a robe. There are public toilets and a changing cubicle at the Knightstone end, open 8am to 6pm through the season.

Dogs and families

Dogs are welcome on the lakeside on a lead, but not in the water between May and September. Under-16s should swim with an adult.

Swimming safely

The Marine Lake is calmer than the open sea, but it is still open water: cold, tidal and unsupervised. A few habits make it a much safer place to swim.

Never swim alone — swim with a buddy, or join one of our group sessions.
Enter slowly and give yourself a minute to let the cold shock pass.
Wear a bright hat and a tow float so the wall can see you.
Know your exit before you set off, and turn back well before you are tired.
Warm up gently afterwards — layers and a hot drink, not a hot shower.

In an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. There is a public rescue equipment cabinet on the wall by the steps.

The lake wall with the seafront beyond — The wall holds the water back as the tide drops

Before you come

The questions we are asked most often on the wall.

Do I need to book?

Not to swim. The lake is free and open to everyone, all year round. Booking only applies to organised sessions such as paddleboard tasters — those are listed on What’s On.

How cold does it get?

Around 18°C at the height of summer and 5–6°C in February. Winter swimmers keep it short — a minute per degree is the usual rule of thumb.

Is there a lifeguard?

No. The lake is unsupervised open water. Our volunteers are often on the wall during group swims, but you are responsible for your own safety.

Can I paddleboard or kayak?

Yes, outside busy swim times, and please keep clear of the steps. Boards can be hired from the seafront traders — ask us if you would like a recommendation.

Where can I leave my things?

There is no locker store, so bring as little as you can. Most swimmers leave a bag on the wall in sight of the water.

Help us keep the lake free for everyone

Testing the water, mending the wall and clearing the steps all cost money. The Mudlarks raise every penny of it.

Donate Become a volunteer Become a sponsor