From taking on the waves in the sea or doing laps at an indoor pool, swimming has always been a huge part of life in Brighton.
Cold water swimming has a huge impact on physical and mental health as the temperature releases endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, which are natural mood boosters and help to relieve stress. However, as the winter months approach, sea swimming becomes less accessible due to conditions and temperatures. That’s where Sea Lanes come in.
With its prime position on Brighton’s seafront, Sea Lanes has transformed a quiet stretch of Madeira Drive into a thriving destination for swimmers, wellness seekers, and curious locals. Since the opening in the summer of 2023, Sea Lanes has become one of the most talked about projects in Brighton and the open water swimming world across the whole of the UK.
Open all year round (they even do a Christmas Day swim!), Sea Lanes is run by South Downs Leisure – a not-for-profit trust focused on active wellbeing. Whilst South Downs Leisure is known for leisure centres and gyms across Sussex, this beachfront model is something new: outdoor, locally rooted, and focused on holistic wellness.
Photo credit: Sea Lanes Brighton
As the UK’s first National Open Water Swimming Centre, it’s more than just a 50m pool, it’s become a hub of community, calm, and cold water enthusiasts. Heated to around 19 degrees all year round, the pool welcomes everyone, from elite swimmers and triathletes to beginners tentatively dipping their toes into open-water training for the first time. With the addition of the now permanent Luna Hut, a sleek beachside sauna nestled right next to the pool, visitors can now experience the full benefits of contrast therapy, with the stunning view of Brighton’s dramatic coastline.
Cold water swimming has gained an extreme amount of popularity over the past few years, with people recognising its mental health benefits and having a growing desire to reconnect with nature. But one of the biggest barriers has always been safety – especially for those new to the practice.
Research has shown that cold water therapy can help to reduce inflammation, boost moods due to the natural hormone release, and improve circulation – but the social side keeps people coming back. Whether it’s catching up with fellow swimmers after a morning dip or warming up in the sauna together, Sea Lanes has created a genuine sense of community by the sea.
The pool provides the perfect middle ground: an outdoor pool that mimics the conditions of open water, but in a fully lifeguarded and controlled environment.
For locals like Jake, who swims most days and trains for triathlons and has a huge passion for cycling, it’s been life-changing.
How has Sea Lanes changed the way people approach cold water swimming in Brighton? Especially those who are new to the world of outdoor swimming.
Jake: They’ve changed the approach to swimming by simply offering a safe, accessible space for people of all ages. They’ve given people who want to try cold water swimming the perfect place to swim or train before they try the open water and that’s really special. Living by the sea means swimming is such a huge part of our culture down here and this just boosts it massively. I’ve been coming since the pool opened and it’s so nice seeing young kids coming down either with clubs or their parents, friends meeting up to do something different or just meeting new friends with the same passions as me. I love it. I also think the sea scares some people so knowing you can come down here, in a safe environment, and still get the benefits of the sea? It’s incredible!
As someone who trains for triathlons and Ironman events, what makes Sea Lanes such a valuable space for both elite athletes and casual swimmers?
Jake: For so many reasons! It really helps to mimic open water conditions which is invaluable when training for triathlons. I also really want to shout out how useful it is to have showers, lockers and a path down to the sea (my feet are thankful!). I think this is a nice touch and helps when we do practice in the sea. When you are finally ready to venture into the sea after using the pool, having these facilities makes such a huge difference. However no matter what time of the day you come down to the pool, there is usually always someone training and I find that really helpful, the community at the pool is so supportive, and if they know you’re training for something everyone tries to help. No matter what your age, or ability is, everyone always has a smile on their face – especially the staff. I think they also play a huge part in making everyone comfortable, the lifeguards are lovely and the management team are so friendly and helpful. I wish I could express how valuable this pool is and how lucky we are!
Hundreds of people now visit Sea Lanes each week, with many taking part in community swims, coaching sessions, or simply enjoying the health boost that comes from regular cold exposure.
As a former duty manager and lifeguard at Sea Lanes myself, I saw first hand the impact the pool had on locals, triathletes and swimmers from all over the city and country who travel down to have a swim.
Previously, this stretch on Madeira Drive was often overlooked – especially in the off-season. But now, it’s home to a lively mix of independent food vendors, wellness businesses such as Beach Side Therapy and SwimTrek, and local favourites like Bison Beer and Fika.
Senior Duty Manager, Spike, said it’s been incredible watching the transformation. I popped down to Sea Lanes to ask him about the transformation as well as how they’re encouraging safe and sustainable cold water swimming.
Since opening in the summer of 2023, how have you seen Sea Lanes impact the local community and wider Brighton seafront?
Spike: As a senior duty manager here at Sea Lanes, I’ve witnessed first hand the impact we’ve had on both the cold water community as well as Brighton and how the entire site has positively impacted the local community. We are much more than just a swimming pool, we’ve become a thriving wellbeing destination that draws in a diverse group of people year-round, from competitive swimmers to those seeking the mental health benefits of open water therapy.
We are much more than just a swimming pool.
Spike, Senior Duty Manager
One of the most meaningful aspects of Sea Lanes has been our commitment to accessibility. We’ve pioneered inclusive, industry leading facilities such as fully inclusive changing facilities as well as the pool and poolside equipment, as well as programmes designed to welcome those with visual impairments. We’ve worked closely with the University of Brighton to ensure the sessions focus on creating a supportive, sensory-led swim experience, helping visually impaired swimmers to connect with the water in ways that feel safe, joyful, and affirming.
We also put on a Pride swim this weekend for all our LGBTQ+ swimmers and allies, and it was a fun start to the pride weekend!
I’ve personally worked with other facilities across Brighton, consulting to help them improve their accessibility standards based on what we’ve built at Sea Lanes. It’s been inspiring to see how we’ve not only brought a new energy and footfall to this side of the sea front but also created a space where everyone feels welcome and able to engage with blue space safely and confidently.
What role does Sea Lanes play in promoting safe and sustainable cold water swimming? Especially as the interest in cold water continues to grow.
Spike: We play a leading role in promoting both safe and sustainable cold water swimming. Our pool is fully lifeguarded, in which swimmers of all levels are able to build their confidence and skills before they venture into open water. We support this by offering structured sessions, cold water acclimatization programmes, and community- led coaching which are all designed to prioritise safety and education as the interest in cold water swimming grows.
Photo credit: Sea Lanes Brighton
The success of Sea Lanes hasn’t gone unnoticed. South Downs Leisure is now launching a new project in Portsmouth, taking the lessons learned in Brighton and applying them to the south coast’s next coastal regeneration effort. They’ll be running Hillsea Lido in the heart of Portsmouth. It will be undergoing a £7.9m refurbishment and has been backed by Portsmouth City Council to take this project to the next level. If the response in Brighton is anything to go by, the Portsmouth community is in for something special.
Whether you’re an experienced swimmer, or simply just curious about the benefits of cold water, Sea Lanes might just be the place for you. It’s a community of like minded people who have a connection to the water and the body and have simply found joy in getting in the water.
Even if you don’t swim, it’s worth popping down to see the gorgeous location. Grab a coffee, try the sauna, or watch the waves with a pint on the terrace. Brighton is the city for embracing the alternative, with Sea Lanes being a perfect example of how innovation, community and the love for nature can come together in one big space.
