6 Things To Do At The Bathing Pools That Don’t Include Swimming

Sea swimmer or not, there are lots of reasons to visit The Bathing Pools at La Vallette. Yes, the sea water pools are the primary focus, but the cafe, the terrace, the pavilion, the top garden area and the wider rejuvenated outdoor space have all played a huge role in transforming the area and creating a thriving community space.

Now we’re not suggesting you shouldn't enjoy a swim at The Bathing Pools. But let’s be honest, sometimes you just don’t have the time or the inclination to take a cold water dip. And that’s ok. There are lots of things you can do when you visit La Vallette that don’t involve getting into the sea. 

 

Image credit: The Bathing Pools

 1.  Enjoy The Friendly Atmosphere At The Café.

Whether you’re meeting up with friends or out for a solo date, the café at The Bathing Pools is genuinely one the most inviting places you could choose to go on the island. The focus is the views and the layout gives you lots of seating options to choose from, indoors and out. The food is simple, but tasty. For brunch we highly recommend the bacon roll or the berry yoghurt granola pot - we’ve had a few! - and there’s always a large selection of cakes to tempt you, whatever the time of day.

But above all it’s the friendly atmosphere that makes it. The team is welcoming and it’s the type of place you can walk into and always be met with a smile.

 

2.  Embrace Wellness In Its Many Forms.

From sunrise yoga in the pavilion to a Hot Haus sauna by the sea there are lots of ways to embrace wellness at The Bathing Pools, with or without a sea swim. It’s a natural turning point for a slow Sunday stroll around town and the harbour, and the area is also a natural start or end point for a more strenuous cliff path walk, heading up to the Cow's Horn and onwards to Fermain. 

Immersing yourself in the natural beauty of La Vallette coastline can also have a positive effect on your mood and many mental health benefits. There are numerous studies which show that being outside can lessen your stress levels, decrease anxiety, and even help you sleep better. It’s also a great way to boost your vitamin D  - and vitamin sea - levels, whatever the time of year, which helps support your immune health.

 

 Image credit: The Bathing Pools

3.  Have A Blind Date With A Book.

If you’re looking for a spot to sit quietly and escape reality by reading for a bit, the café, with its wood burning stove glowing in the background in winter, has a selection of books you can choose from. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try something new and go on a blind date - with a book! The books are wrapped in a plain brown cover so, just like a regular blind date, you don’t actually know what’s in store for you until you take that leap of faith. 

Who knows, you might meet a new author with potential, or be introduced to a genre you’ve shied away from in the past that turns out to be the perfect match.

 

4.  Host Meetings And Events.

The modern facilities were designed with the whole community in mind, encouraging us to rediscover and embrace La Vallette as a location for work as well as leisure. The venue has the infrastructure in place to host business meetings, networking functions and team building events. It’s also an ideal spot to work remotely, especially if you need a change of location for inspiration, with numerous studies showing that being close to nature can boost your creativity and problem solving abilities. 

But it’s not all work and no play. The team has hosted all sorts of social gatherings in the pavilion and the café, from weddings and birthday parties to afternoon teas and bingo nights.

 

 

5.  Browse Local Produce And Pop-Ups.

Over the past few years, The Bathing Pools has become a popular venue for Farmers Markets, hosting local producers and artisans selling their many and varied food and drink products. Sourdough, jams, eggs, goat’s cheese, coffee, herbs, crab - there’s usually lots to choose from!  You’ll regularly find guest chefs and local musicians sharing their talents at the markets too. Look out for upcoming food festival events with A Table In Guernsey.

And it’s not just food that‘s on offer. You’ll regularly find pop-ups in the pavilion, ranging from designer clothing sales to Repair Cafe events. 

 

6.  Simply Be.

Leaving the best for last, there’s simply something magical about the area around La Vallette. It’s easy to forget that it’s so close to town, and it could be argued that The Bathing Pools has the best view on the island, looking out over Havelet Bay towards Castle Cornet with Herm and Sark as a backdrop. Turn your head ever so slightly to the right and you can see Jersey on a clear day - sometimes the French coastline is visible too. 

Whatever your reason for visiting The Bathing Pools, it’s always a good place to pause for a moment to breathe in the fresh air, recalibrate your senses and simply be!

 

Follow The Heart of La Vallette and The Bathing Pools to keep up to date with all that’s going on.

And feel free to tag a sea swim onto any of the activities - we highly recommend it.