Yorkshire's First Private Natural Swimming Pool Opens at Bogg Hall Barn

We've been thinking about this for years. Not just pools – proper outdoor swimming that doesn't feel like soaking in chemicals. The kind where you actually want to put your face in the water. Where the only thing your skin absorbs is minerals and sunlight.

So when Ellicar starts building work this October, they'll be creating something we believe is the first of its kind in the UK for self-catered group accommodation. A private natural swimming pool at Bogg Hall Barn. No chlorine. No harsh chemicals. Just clean water filtered by plants and biological systems, ready to open Spring 2027.

How a Natural Pool Actually Works

Your swim zone is 15 metres by 4 metres. Plenty of space for proper lengths. There's a sitting ledge for those moments when you just want to relax in the water, feet dangling, face to the sun. And a beach entry – gently easing in rather than that heart-stopping plunge off a ladder into freezing water.

But the clever bit is what you don't swim in.

The regeneration zone runs alongside your swimming area. It's where the magic happens. Hydro-botanical filtration sounds technical. What it means is: plants do the work chemicals usually do. They're supported by a Biotop biological filtration system, but the plants themselves are the real workers here.

In the deepest sections, you'll see water lilies. Beautiful to look at, fragrant Aponogeton adding scent. They're not just decoration – they're part of the system. The middle layer has oxygenators. Unassuming plants that work harder than they look, absorbing excess nutrients from the water and releasing oxygen to maintain the balance. Then fringing the pool's edge, long-season marginal plants bring colour, structure, and plenty of food for pollinators.

The wildlife will love it. Dragonflies, damselflies, visiting birds, bats, a whole host of aquatic life. Crucially though, they stay in the regeneration zone where the plants provide shade and shelter. The wide open aspect of the swim zone isn't attractive to them. You stay in your area, they stay in theirs.

Water That Warms Itself

Natural pools can reach between 22°C and 28°C in the summer months. That's properly swimmable without heating bills that make you wince. They're designed to maximise passive thermal gain – which is a fancy way of saying they're positioned and built to capture as much sun as possible, then hold onto that warmth.

On a July afternoon, you'll find temperatures that make you want to stay in. Not just jump in for thirty seconds then scramble for a towel.

Building It the Right Way

We're a farming family. Fourth generation on this land. We don't do things just because they're trendy – we do them because they make sense for the long term.

Everything Ellicar uses will follow sustainable building practices. Recycled and recyclable materials wherever possible. Local aggregates, which reduces the carbon footprint from transport and ties in visually with the local area. You won't spot where the pool ends and Yorkshire begins – it'll feel like it's always been part of this landscape.

The decking is Brimstone Ash. That's a by-product of UK Ash dieback – trees that were dying anyway, now given a second life. It's thermally treated, not chemically treated. No harsh preservatives leaching into the ground. The filtration equipment is made from recycled polypropylene. At end of use, most of the materials we're installing can be recycled again.

It's not about making claims. It's about decisions that matter when you're stewarding land that's been in your family for generations.

Why Natural Water Matters for Your Body

No chlorine means no exposure to chloramines. Those are the compounds that irritate skin, eyes, and your respiratory system. If you've ever wondered why your chest feels tight after an indoor pool session, that's why.

People with eczema tell us the difference is remarkable. Dry skin, sensitivities – natural water is just gentler. It's water the way it's supposed to be.

The Cold Water Advantage

We won't pretend. Spring mornings will be bracing. Even summer evenings can leave you catching your breath.

But there's something about cold water that works. May help reduce inflammation and muscle soreness after a long walk on the Wolds or a day exploring the coast. Blood vessels constrict and dilate in response to the temperature changes, which can improve circulation. Many people say they feel more alert, energised, focused afterwards.

It often triggers endorphin release. That natural mood boost you don't get from warm showers. Regular exposure to controlled discomfort – and yes, it is uncomfortable at first – can support resilience to physical and mental stress. Not in a dramatic way. Just quietly, over time.

Swimmers report improved sleep quality following cold water immersion. Not everyone, not guaranteed. But enough people mention it that there's likely something real there.

Natural Pool and Sauna Together

Bogg Hall Barn already has a dry sauna. Once the pool's open, you'll be able to move between heat and cold. Contrast therapy.

Alternating between the two may stimulate blood flow and circulation throughout your body. Can help relieve muscle tension, aid post-exercise recovery. Many people find it promotes relaxation whilst simultaneously increasing feelings of vitality and energy.

The dramatic temperature shift leaves you feeling refreshed. Invigorated. Mentally clear in a way that's hard to describe until you've done it. Some research suggests it may help reduce perceived fatigue and improve recovery times.

It encourages mindfulness too. Hard to think about your inbox when your entire attention is focused on the physical sensation of stepping from 80°C into water that makes you gasp.

What This Means for Your Group

We've always believed in accessible luxury. Not the kind that intimidates. The kind where everything's thought through so you can just enjoy it.

A private natural swimming pool means your group of 22 can swim whenever you want. Early morning lengths before breakfast. Evening dips after dinner. The children can splash about without worrying about pool timetables or other guests. You don't need to pack the car and drive anywhere – it's right there in your grounds.

The wellness facilities at Bogg Hall Barn will be something special. Outdoor gym. Yoga platform. Dry sauna. Cold plunge pool. And from Spring 2027, this natural swimming pool. Everything you need for a proper retreat, whether that's family celebration or corporate wellness weekend.

Yorkshire Water, Yorkshire Values

Nearly twenty years we've been converting farm buildings. Each property has taught us something. With Bogg Hall Barn, we wanted to push further.

This pool is the next step in that journey. It's pioneering because we believe you shouldn't have to choose between luxury and sustainability. Between group accommodation and genuine wellness facilities. Between accessible pricing and exceptional quality.

The water will be ready when you are. Spring 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is a natural pool safe for children?
A: Yes. The swim zone is separate from the planted regeneration area, and the water quality is maintained through biological filtration that's tested and proven. The beach entry allows children to wade in gradually, and the sitting ledge provides a safe shallow area. Adult supervision is always required, just as with any pool.

Q: How often does the water need to be changed?
A: That's the beauty of natural pools – they don't need regular draining and refilling like chlorinated pools. The biological filtration system continuously cleans the water. We'll top up occasionally to account for evaporation, but the ecosystem maintains itself. Better for the environment and simpler for guests.

Q: Will the pool be warm enough for swimming in spring and autumn?
A: Natural pools rely on passive solar heating, so they're warmest in summer (22-28°C). Spring and autumn temperatures will be cooler – ideal for those interested in cold water swimming and contrast therapy with the sauna, but perhaps too bracing for extended family swimming sessions. Summer months offer the most comfortable temperatures for all ages.

Q: Can we use the pool if we book Bogg Hall Barn before Spring 2027?
A: Construction begins October 2026 with opening planned for Spring 2027. If you're booking for late Spring 2027 onwards, the pool should be ready. For bookings before then, you'll still have access to the indoor swim spa, outdoor hot tub, sauna, and cold plunge pool. We'll confirm pool availability when you book.

Q: Do you need to add any chemicals to maintain water quality?
A: No chlorine or harsh chemicals are used. The Biotop biological filtration system works with the plants to maintain water balance naturally. It's chemical-free swimming in the truest sense – what goes into your water is what nature provides.



About Molly Sadler

Molly runs Grand Get-Togethers with her mother Joan, continuing four generations of farming family heritage in North Yorkshire. Since 2006, they've specialised in luxury group accommodation where celebration feels natural, not forced. When families choose the venue for someone else's milestone, the responsibility weighs heavy. Molly's spent years obsessively perfecting every detail so that weight lifts the moment you arrive. If you're planning something special and want it remembered for the right reasons, there are spaces here designed for exactly that.