THE UK has some incredible beach lidos, but this one in the south of England is now award-winning.
Just inland beyond Saltdean Beach in Brighton is its beautiful art deco pool that previously underwent a revamp – and has just won a prestigious prize.
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Saltdean Lido has been open since 1938 to keen swimmers and has undergone significant upgrades throughout the years.
But in 2010, Saltdean Lido began a major revamp, preserving original features, restoring the building and upgrading the café, library, ballroom and an exercise space.
It cost an estimated £11million which was paid for by donations and National Lottery funding.
After 14 years, it was finally completed in 2024 and now, it is one of six winners in the South East division of the 2026 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Awards.
The prestigious architecture award celebrates design innovation and social impact of buildings around the country.
Along with the other winners, Saltdean Lido was praised as being “exceptional.”
Saltdean Lido is a 40 metre outdoor heated pool and remains open all year, even during the winter.
It has a kids’ splash pool and grassy area making it a popular spot in the summer months.
In the lido building is a café which recently rebranded as the Reading Room, which serves up snacks, toasties and drinks.
On-site is also a gym, as well as saunas and plunge pools designed to increase circulation and boost immune systems.
Classes are held at the lido too, from yoga to Pilates, tai chi and dance – it’s also home to a public library.
There’s a huge ballroom too where events are held and it can even be hired out for weddings.
Events take place throughout the year; coming up in a few months is ‘Dogtember’, which is dubbed the ‘biggest dog swimming event in the UK’.
It runs for four weekends where dogs and humans alike will take to the pool in 90-minute sessions.
Built in the 1930s, the lido was considered such an innovative design of its time.
However, it was forced to close just two years later due to the war and remained closed for the next 19 years.
It was even nearly bought by Butlins in 1958 when it was derelict but this plan was scrapped.
The lido reopened in 1964 after being bought by the Brighton Town Council.