Victorian seaside town lido reopens after £1.3million makeover
A LIDO that sits just inland of the Bristol Channel has reopened its doors after a huge makeover.
Portishead Open Air Pool was closed for the season last year while it underwent huge upgrades – but it is back open for business.
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On its website, organisers announced: “Our pool refurbishment is complete and we are open for the heated season.
“The Café has re-opened following refurbishment and is now open Monday to Sunday – please come and visit us!”
Portishead Open Air Pool has been open for 64 years, but closed briefly in 2025 to undergo improvement works with its £1.3million grant.
One of the new additions to the pool includes solar panels which means it’s “fit for the future” according to Chair of the Portishead Pool Community Trust, Claudia Amos.
She added that this means Portishead is actually warmer than some indoor pools and sits around 28C between April and September.
Other improvement works include that to the café and changing rooms.
The pool itself is 33 metres long, and there’s a toddler pool alongside it for little ones.
For those who want to head in for a swim, a session in the lanes costs £7 per person.
Family and general swims are £6.50 for adults and £5 for children (those age two and under go free).
There are also Twilight Swim sessions from £7.25 and a Full Moon swim is £8per person.
During the winter, the lido welcomes brave cold water swimmers from 9am until midday – and for those who are new to the trend, it does have ‘introduction to Cold Water’ sessions too.
The on-site café, which also underwent a makeover is open Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm and weekends 9am – 4pm.
After a swim, you can pick up homemade cakes, sausage rolls, soup, paninis, teacakes and ice cream.
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During the summer season, the outdoor pool can see up to 250 swimmers through its doors every day.
Lots couldn’t wait to get back into the water – one frequent visitor wrote on social media “can’t wait for this and the warmer weather.”
Another commented with “very impressive makeover.”
Historically, the lido had once earmarked for closure.
Back in 2008, the outdoor pool came under threat, but a community trust then took it over and has been running it since.
Here’s one English lido that was forced to close after 50 years, set to finally reopen next year.
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