Henleaze Lake Home Page

Introduction

Since 1919 Henleaze Lake in North Bristol has served as a haven of solitude for those who enjoy freshwater swimming, springboard or high diving, angling, sunbathing or simply a quiet rest in the open air.

Situated in the heart of the Bristol suburb of Henleaze, only a mile from the Downs and three miles from the city centre, this former quarry is surrounded by lawns and beautiful trees. The Lake is about four hundred metres long and thirty metres wide, with a steep rock face on one side and a wooded bank on the other. Part of the Lake is used for fishing and part for swimming.

The swimming end provides over one hundred metres of deep spring water for those who prefer to swim outdoors. The average depth is approximately three metres increasing to six metres under the diving area. There are two springboards and two fixed diving boards (5 metres and 7.5 metres)

The Lake is fed by spring water, and is surrounded by trees including willow, ash, oak, birch and sycamore. Wildflower species include ladysmock, red campion, cranesbill, cow parsley, ox-eye daisy, yellow flag and a variety of water lilies. Birdlife includes moorhens, mallards, sparrow hawks and kingfishers, and the occasional visit from herons and other water birds.