Frequently asked questions

Everybody is welcome at Northfield Retreat. Some examples of people that could use our pool include; families, couples, solo swimmers, weight watchers, pensioners, fitness groups, baby and toddlers, neuro-diverse adults & children, those people needing medical/physical recovery, anybody who prefers to avoid harsh chemicals, & anybody who prefers to swim in the privacy of a private pool. Although we welcome all, our facilities were originally built for domestic family use only, so the fixtures and fittings do have limitations, please see our Terms and Conditions for these details. ALL POOL & SAUNA HIRE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

There is one changing room, which incorporates a shower, toilet and hand basin. 2 x 1m bench seats with hooks above provide the changing area which is sufficient space for a family to change together.  

No, please don't arrive early as we will be getting the pool ready for you. Ring the gate intercom a couple of minutes before your session which will give you enough time to park & walk down to the pool.

​Yes, you can hire both the pool & sauna for more than 1 hour. Please contact us to arrange a booking to suit your needs.

Non-swimmers of all ages must be accompanied in the pool by an adult swimmer.

No child or vulnerable person should be left unattended at any time, and it is recommended that any person who is unable to swim should be provided with an appropriate flotation device. For your safety information, the UK standard is that armbands must be endorsed with the standard EN 13138-1:2003 and all buoyancy aids should comply with British standard BSN 13138

When you hire the pool, there is just you and your friends or family in the pool building. Because the pool is unsupervised, the hirer is responsible for the safety of their whole group. However we do have CCTV in operation, in all areas except the changing room, at our insurers request. This protects you & us in the event of any issues arising or damage found following your visit.

We welcome visitors of all ages.

However, an able-bodied adult, who can swim, should be present at all times.

Lone adult swimmers are permitted, but no lone swimmers under 18 years of age are permitted at any time.

All children under 12, non-swimmers of all ages, and vulnerable adults must be accompanied in the pool by an adult swimmer at all times.

A ratio of:

1 Adult swimmer to 2 children aged 4 years old or younger.

1 Adult swimmer to 3 children between 4 & 12 years old.

Yes. The Northfield Retreat facilities are hired, per hour, exclusively to the users declared, and paid for, by the named hirer.

Each hour allocated time slot includes your time to shower, get dressed and clean around the pool & changing room ready for the next guests. So please arrive & depart within that timeframe.

Our insurance allows the pool to be used by both solo swimmers and larger groups. If you want a serious swim we would recommend a limit of 2 swimmers in the pool at one time, due to lane space (you could of course bring more swimmers, and take turns between the sauna and pool to make it more cost effective per person). There is space enough for groups of up to 12* to comfortably use the pool for a fun session or for aquarobics style use, as the depth is 1.1m throughout. However, for groups of more than 8, we strongly recommend that you book a 90 minute or 2 hour session, so that you all have plenty of time to swim, take turns using the changing room area plus make sure the whole area is left as you find it; clean and safe ready for the next guests. *Please note that spectators count in the recommended user numbers.

Spectators are welcome. However, when you hire the pool, the number of people you book for is the number of people who will be in the building, whether they are swimming or not. We are required to account for & insure each person on the premises in the same way.

Yes. Our insurance requires us to account for each person on the premises, irrelevant of age.  

The sauna is designed for 1 - 2 adults to use at a time.

Under 16 year olds are not permitted to use it, for their own safety and insurance purposes.

Maximum individual user weight = 130kg, Maximum combined user weight = 200kg.

On arrival to Northfield Retreat you will find security gates with a doorbell that needs pressing to gain access. We will open the gates so that you are able to enter our driveway and park in one of three marked bays.

(If there is no response, please call 07964 731798 or 07940 160632).

Cars are parked at your own risk.

No, sorry. Diving/jumping/bombing is not allowed AT ANY TIME. As the pool is just 1.1m deep throughout, this is not deep enough to allow any of these actions safely. There is a real risk of head injury.

No, sorry, although we welcome anyone to come & visit, to see if our facilities are suitable for their own needs, there is no wheelchair access or hoists installed. The pool was originally installed for just our family use, so the design doesn't have enough space by the door area to create a more accessible entrance. Access into the pool itself is via a ladder not steps.

Yes. You're welcome to bring small inflatables, foam bricks, floats, wind-up baby toys etc.  If you would like to bring your own toys, please ensure that they are clean before entering the pool.  All toys and swim aids must be taken home again. No ball games or water pistols are allowed. Please do not bring any toys which have small detachable parts or water beads in as these may clog the filters or become a hazard to other users.

Yes. As you have the pool to yourselves, you are welcome to take photos & videos. We welcome you tagging/mentioning us on social media as well. Obviously, if you spot anything negative, please bring it to our attention first so that we have the opportunity to rectify anything we may not know is an issue.

No. Babies and children who are not yet fully potty trained must wear the ‘double nappy system’, otherwise they cannot go into the water. The ‘double nappy system’ is a disposable nappy, with a neoprene swim nappy over the top that ensures any accidents are safely contained (more information plus reputable, good value versions are available from sites such as Puddle Ducks, Water Babies, Two Bare Feet & Splash About). Please dispose of used nappies in the bin outside the pool building. 

Neoprene swimmers are a good idea even for toilet trained toddlers as, when they are enjoying themselves, accidents do happen.  

If an accident happens, this can close the pool for several hours. Using the correct nappy doesn't just save the pool, it saves embarrassment too. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for rules regarding faecal escape. 

​Yes. The wi-fi details are displayed on the wall of the changing room. There is also an Alexa device which you are welcome to connect to & use as a blue-tooth speaker in order to listen to your own music whilst swimming. 

Bookings are typically made through the Northfield Retreat online booking system, and paid for by BACS to the details supplied on your invoice.

All bookings must be paid for in full at last 48hrs prior to arrival. Any last minute bookings will require payment upon receipt of your invoice.

Please declare all expected members of your group at the time of booking.

You are welcome to add additional guests before arrival, but you must notify us so we can invoice you accordingly, and ensure each guest is fully insured.

Go to the booking calendar page and select the session you would like to attend. Click 'Next' and you'll be taken to the booking details form where you can add all the relevant information about yourself and who is attending. There is an additional notes box in this form, this is where you should type in any discount codes or let us know you are using a gift voucher (which are issued with their own individual codes to use when redeeming), then add your booking to the cart if you have multiple sessions to select, or simply 'Book Now' if your selection is complete. Your invoice will then be processed, discounts applied, and sent to you via email showing any remaining balance payment details.

Should you need to cancel your session, we require at least 48 hours notice.

Cancellations made less than 48 hours prior to your booking will still be charged in full.

We do understand unforeseen circumstances or illness can occur. Therefore, postponing your booking, rather than cancelling, within the 48 hour notice period, may be possible at the discretion of the owner.

NOTE all our special offers fall outside of our normal terms and conditions. Full details can be found on our special offers page.