For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved the water. I’m a swimmer—not in the competitive, lane-counting sense, but for the quiet it brings. The sense of weightlessness. The space to breathe. But like so many things in adult life, even something as simple as swimming became complicated.

I’m local to West Sussex, and for a while, I tried to make the local leisure centre work. But the scheduling didn’t. I’d either have to get there before school swim lessons took over or wait until the last class ended, often not until after 8pm. As someone who wakes at 5am for Army Reservist duties before starting my career job, late-night swims weren’t exactly ideal—and early ones didn’t give me enough time to reset before logging on. A polite suggestion from staff to "just come after 8pm" felt like the final confirmation: this isn’t working.

But I missed swimming. I missed the stillness, the rhythm, and—if I’m honest—the confidence that came with feeling more at home in my own skin. As the months rolled by, and the weight crept on, the pull to get back into the water grew stronger. Even now, as I write this, I can feel the itch to dive into the outdoor pool at Bailiffscourt and cool off from the summer heat.

I’d always known about Bailiffscourt. It’s local, almost a landmark. But it hadn’t crossed my mind as an option until my mum casually mentioned a friend of hers had been a member there for years. That was the seed.

It took me about a year to act on that idea. A month in, I popped down for a look and to ask some questions. The staff were lovely, welcoming without being pushy. Later in the year, I nearly signed up when they were offering a really generous promotion—money back in vouchers to spend across the spa, hotel, or their new sister pub, The Black Horse. No joining fee either. But the catch? They wanted the year’s payment up front, and they didn’t take my credit card provider. Between that and a hesitant partner, it just didn’t feel viable.

By January, though, something in me had shifted. The need to do something just for me became too loud to ignore. I was tired of putting things off in the name of practicality. I was a Senior IT Consultant on a good wage, with a comfortable life—but I wasn’t doing the things that used to make me feel like me. So, I did it. I took what savings I had and joined. The promo deal was gone, yes—but the feeling I got after signing up was something I’d been missing for a long time: peace.

Honestly? It’s heaven.

I wouldn’t say members are treated any differently to hotel guests or day spa visitors, but over time, you start to notice familiar faces. There’s a little “Hamptons club” vibe in summer now that I’ve been around a while. People chat, you build quiet routines, and suddenly, you're part of something.

The outdoor pool is my favourite spot. Winter or summer, it’s warm and grounding. I’ll spend hours out there, floating or just reading. I’m currently deep into Firefly, and it’s been the perfect setting to lose track of time with a good book.

There’s a peacock, too—a bit of a local celebrity. Though some of us members wish he wasn’t alone and didn’t feel like such a photo prop for guests. He deserves more than a selfie.

To some, it might seem indulgent. And I get it—spas often carry that “treat yourself” label that makes them feel just out of reach. But honestly, if you can stretch to it, it’s worth every penny. This is more than cucumber water and fluffy robes. This is swimming, reading, chatting to people from all over the world, and reconnecting with parts of yourself you’d almost forgotten were there.

And sometimes, it’s the little things. Like the day I took my partner’s son for a proper break from the house and the PlayStation. We played tennis, swam during the kid-friendly hour (quiet and well-behaved, as it's members and guests only), and for £5 and a pool toy, he had one of the best afternoons in ages. So did I.

This year, while others plan big holidays, this has been my luxury—my version of a retreat. Since becoming an independent travel agent, I’ve been curating a calendar of 2025 getaways to explore and report back on different styles of travel. But amidst the planning, research, and wanderlust, Bailiffscourt remains my constant. My quiet. My reset.