Lake

Love Open Water Fairlands Valley Park

Reviews

1.0

(1 review)

The council and Stevenage Leisure between them cocked up big time. Council gave the licence to operate the lakes to Stevenage Leisure who couldn’t give a monkeys about the people of Stevenage and their wanting to use the lake for many activities as they would rather pay staff to sit behind a desk at the Leisure Centre or the Swimming Pool rather than supervise swimming, kayaking, sailing or paddle boarding. Still…at least the councillers will still have their ringfenced pension to fall back on

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About

Fairlands Valley is an 120 acre patchwork of green spaces, woodlands, lakes playgrounds and conservation areas. As of March 13th, This is sadly no longer a swim location it has been closed with no plans to reopen.

Location

Accessibility

As of March 13th, This is sadly no longer a swim location it has been closed with no plans to reopen.

What swimmers say

Facilities

Nearby parking Pay to swim

Activities

Swimming

Help verify this spot

Plan your swim

Before you go

Cold water shock is real — enter slowly and control your breathing
Lake water can be much colder below the surface (thermocline)
Stay close to shore until you know the conditions
Watch for boat traffic and stay visible with a tow float
Check for blue-green algae warnings before swimming

Conditions change fast. Always check the latest data, read recent community reports, and swim within your ability.

Been here recently?

Share conditions, tips, or hazards to help other swimmers plan their visit to Love Open Water Fairlands Valley Park.

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Frequently asked questions

Is this lake safe for swimming?

Check the Conditions tab for surface state and wind conditions. Review the Water Quality tab if this is a designated bathing water. Always read recent community reports for local advice.

How cold is the water?

Check the Temperature tab for the current estimate and 7-day trend. Lakes hold heat longer than rivers but can develop a thermocline — the water below the surface can be dramatically colder.

What should I bring?

A tow float for visibility (especially important where boats operate), warm layers for after, and consider a wetsuit in colder months. Check for designated swimming areas.