Swan Pool and Leisure Centre

The Swan Pool sits right in Buckingham town centre, a proper local facility that's genuinely useful if you're camping nearby. It's a leisure centre with a swimming pool at its heart - the kind of place where families can actually get wet and burn off energy on a rainy afternoon, which in Buckinghamshire happens often enough.

The pool itself is fairly standard: indoor, heated, decent enough for a few lengths or splashing about with kids. There's also a gym and studio classes if that's your thing, though most holiday visitors come for the water. On school holidays it gets rammed, so go early if you can.

Who'll get the most from it? Families with young children, definitely. Swimmers wanting a proper session will find what they need. Campers at Hedgehog Retreat (just 2.5 miles away) or any of the other sites scattered around - Barton Hill Farm, Embers Camping, Silverstone Woodlands - will find it a solid rainy-day option. It's not a destination in itself, mind you. You're not driving across the county to visit Swan Pool. But it's convenient, affordable, and when you've spent three days tramping through fields and exploring nearby towns, sometimes you just want a chlorinated break.

Admission isn't free, but day passes are reasonable. Allow an hour or two depending on what you're doing. The location in Buckingham town centre means you can grab a coffee or sandwich before or after.