AN Eden Valley pool has been named in a list ranking the top swimming baths in the country.

The Shap Swimming Pool was featured in a list of the UK's 10 best swimming baths drawn up by holiday park operator, Parkdean Resorts.

Parkdean judged the Shap pool as being the fourth-best swimming spot in its list of the top baths across the UK.

The recognition comes as leisure centres across the UK begin to reopen this week.

Gyms, leisure centres and indoor pools have all been closed since March 21.

However, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has confirmed that gyms, leisure centres and indoor pools will all be allowed to open tomorrow on Saturday, 25 July. Outdoor pools, meanwhile, have been able to reopen to the public since Saturday, July 11.

The other leisure centres will all have to follow strict new guidelines, such as introducing timed bookings for workouts and restrictions on showering.

Mr Dowden said the move to reopen gyms would help get the country 'match-fit to defeat the virus' amid growing fears of inactivity among the population due to social distancing restrictions

According to the Express, 90 per cent of Brits are planning domestic holidays this year, owing to the pandemic.

With Shap boasting the highest outdoor heated pool in the country, the town's swimming baths have been highlighted as an attractive daytime activity choice for Cumbria residents and visitors alike.

Parkdean wrote of the Shap baths: "This beautiful open-air swimming pool is one of the most visited outdoor pools in the UK. At 900 ft above sea level, the Lake District wonder is the highest heated pool in the entire country. Swim in the 20-metre pool or enjoy the smaller paddling pool which is perfect for little ones.

"Shap pool opened in the 1980s and is still open today thanks to a team of amazing volunteers. They’ve kept the open-air pool around for generations to come but also run a small shop for refreshments and make sure the picnic tables and benches are up to standard for amazing family days out."

However, this year Shap Swimming Pool has announced that it will not be reopening, as a result of the pressures brought on by the pandemic.

Earlier this month, the outdoor pool said: "We are aware of the government announcement tonight that open air pools can now open from saturday, however as a committee we have made the decision not to open this year.

"This hasn't been an easy decision, however it would not be financially viable for us to open for a 6 week period, with all the work that is needed to open and all the safety measures that would need to be put in place.

"Due to Covid-19 we were unable to train any lifeguards needed to keep the pool and our customers safe. We are a volunteer led pool and it would not be fair to put them under the pressures needed to operate safely.

"We are looking to put some fundraising ideas together to make 2021 bigger and better than ever and hope that we can rely on your support whilst closed.

"Thank you for your understanding through this difficult year and we look forward to welcoming you back next year."