Reviving New Brighton's Marine Lake: A Community's Commitment to Outdoor Swimming and Heritage

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✍️ Author’s Note

This article is about belief. Belief in people, place, and possibility. As we navigate the future of New Brighton, Marine Lake stands as a shining example of how grassroots action and community-led regeneration can shape not just a destination—but a movement. This is a story of swimmers, artists, volunteers, and neighbours coming together to protect something deeply valuable: open water, open hearts, and an open future.
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A New Model for Regeneration Begins in the Water

New Brighton’s marine lake is popular among early morning swimmers via LDRS Ed Barnes

New Brighton's Marine Lake has long been a cherished spot for locals and visitors alike. From early morning swims to paddle boarding sessions, the lake offers a unique outdoor experience that invigorates both body and soul. In recent years, this stretch of water has become a quiet revolution—the heart of a growing outdoor swimming culture that brings health, happiness and hope to the Wirral coast.

The Rise of Outdoor Swimming

Since 2017, a growing number of enthusiasts have embraced the joys of outdoor swimming in Marine Lake. What began as a small group has blossomed into a vibrant community, with hundreds gathering daily—whatever the weather—to swim, connect, and find calm in the cold. This movement not only promotes physical fitness but fosters mental wellbeing and deep-rooted social bonds. It’s not just a swim. It’s a ritual. A release. A reason.

“There’s something about the lake that brings you back to yourself,” says Claire, a regular swimmer. “You leave the stress on the shore.”

Friends of New Brighton Marine Lake: Guardians of the Waters

Out of this momentum, a dedicated community group emerged. Formed in June 2023, the Friends of New Brighton Marine Lake were created to ensure this treasured space was looked after—not just for today’s swimmers, but for the generations to come. Through regular clean-ups, water quality monitoring, and volunteer mobilisation, they have shown exactly what happens when people take ownership of their environment with care and pride.

This isn’t just maintenance. It’s stewardship. And it’s a model for how communities can lead regeneration with joy, not bureaucracy. The Friends group embodies the spirit of collaboration—working in partnership with artists, schools, local services and other volunteers to enhance and celebrate the lake.

Art Meets Action: ‘The Spirit of the Lake’

La Vida Liverpool Spirit Of The Lake is a striking piece that pays homage to New Brighton’s Marine Lake, as it celebrates its 90th birthday, and draws attention to the town’s rich coastal heritage.

That celebration took visual form recently through a remarkable public artwork. Local artist Joe Forrest, alongside students from Oldershaw School, co-designed a large-scale mural called ‘Spirit of the Lake’. It was unveiled at the Floral Pavilion in May 2025, as part of the lake’s 90th anniversary celebrations.

Bright, bold and filled with movement, the mural captures both the energy of the swimmers and the natural rhythms of the lake itself. Soon to be installed permanently on the seawall, it will greet everyone who arrives at Marine Lake with colour and character—an artwork born from the water and made for the people who love it.

A Positive Vision for the Future

The story of Marine Lake is one that points forward. It reminds us that regeneration isn’t always about top-down plans or multimillion-pound developments. Sometimes, the most powerful change comes from communities that show what’s possible and then make it happen.

The Marine Lake community is already doing this. They are creating new ways to use and love the space. They are connecting art, education, health and environment. And they are showing how outdoor swimming, water sports and wellbeing can all be part of a thriving coastal destination.

What they need now is support—shared ambition, joined-up thinking, and recognition that this is already working. With continued collaboration across all sectors and groups, Marine Lake can become a flagship for how community-led projects enrich public life, attract visitors, and bring us back to nature, together.

Let’s back them. Let’s swim with them. Let’s build the future on the strength of stories like this.

Disclaimer

This article was produced with the help of AI tools and online research, including factual checking at the time of publication. If you believe anything is inaccurate, incomplete or misrepresented, please get in touch and I’ll be happy to update the article. Community-led stories matter, and I want to get them right.