lido

LIDOS are experiencing a resurgence of popularity across the UK and this one has been open since the 1800s.

For locals it’s been a peaceful spot for a morning swim, or a Full Moon dip, but now there’s talk of it becoming more like the busy resort town of Benidorm.

Havre des Pas Lido is open year-round for swimming and you’ll find it in Jersey, in the capital of St Helier.

The historic pool is tidal, meaning it fills with seawater at high tide and empties at low tide.

Currently, the lido also has a waterside beach kiosk and bar along with a rooftop bar, but it could all be about to change.

From 2026 First Point will take over as the lido’s operator, and one Constable Marcus Troy, senior partner at First Point, revealed he wants to make the bathing pool and surrounding area “a resort like Benidorm.”

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Talking to the BBC, he said: “So, we are going to be talking to all the catering and hospitality businesses in the area and creating our own map as if it’s a destination in its own right, like West Park and St Brelades. A resort like you would call Benidorm, for example.

“We aren’t the size of Benidorm, but we want more activity in general – whatever it is – volleyball, swimming competitions, galas, night time events, family amusements; we might like to put bouncy castles in the pool.”

First Point will take on the lease for nine years.

Plans to open the lido in St Helier began in 1860s when The Jersey Swimming Club was established and the group sought a safe swimming space on the British Isle.

Years later and the lido at Havre De Pas opened in May 1895 with a large pool and a circular tower, which had the changing rooms and club room.

It was very popular, especially between the 1920s and 30s which is why it saw lots more improvements and additions in the years that followed.

29 new cabins were built on the tower, and there was an extension to the club built called the Blue Terrace.

Now, inside the tower is a bar with an open kitchen, dance floor and stage as well as a balcony that overlooks the pool.

There’s a dining area too which has indoor tables or the choice to eat al fresco, plus there’s the rooftop which has live music and is an ideal location for a cocktail.

The venue at the lido can stay open until 1AM and has dubbed itself the ‘ultimate Private Party Island’.

Through the summer months, the Kiosk is open with lots of light bites, as well as pizzas, burgers, tacos, fish and chips and full English breakfast offerings.

The lido is just on the coast outside of the island’s capital of St Helier – and it’s a popular spot for locals and visitors too.

One visitor wrote in Tripadvisor: “What a fabulous place The Lido Havre de Pas is! Beautiful views over the bay and to watch the people swimming in the gorgeous Lido.

“Will definitely return when I go back on holiday there next year. Can’t recommend enough.”

Another simply branded it as a “good old fashioned historic Lido”.

Not everyone is happy after the announcement of the new operator.

After the news, LidoJersey took to social media to voice concerns about it and stated that the pool could and end up being a ‘bare shell‘

It said: “Unless this new entity wishes to negotiate with us, which hasn’t been done to date, the site will revert to a bare shell, just as it was when we took it over in 2015.”

It added that this would mean there would be no licence for alcohol, entertainment, marriage of infrastructure like the kiosk, commercial kitchen and bar area.

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Plus, check out the huge new Olympic-sized lido could open in UK city with sauna pods and ‘clubhouse’.

And here’s the UK’s biggest indoor tropical waterpark where it’s always 30C – and you can stay all day.

Britain’s oldest lido may never reopen despite £9.3million of repairs…

The UK’s oldest lido could never reopen despite years of renovation works, costing millions.

Cleveland Pools in Bath, which was built in 1815 and is the country’s oldest, may never reopen to the public again.

It was open for just four months in 2023 after receiving £9.3 million for a revamp. But it hasn’t reopened since, and it might never do so.

The trustees of the restored lido revealed in a report that it “might not be possible” to reopen the pool, according to the BBC.

The report stated: “The risk that the cost to repair the pools and the plantroom will be substantial and beyond the resources available to the trust.

“There is therefore a risk that the pools cannot be repaired and reopened.

“To mitigate against this risk the trust is exploring all potential avenues that would allow the pools to be repaired and reopened, including but not limited to legal recourse and external funding.”

Cleveland Pools is a Grade II listed lido, and is considered the oldest outdoor swimming pool in the UK.

It opened in the early 1800s and closed in 1984. It then took a huge campaign by the public, and almost £10million to reopen the lido in September 2023.

THE UK’s oldest lido could never reopen despite years of renovation works, costing millions.

Cleveland Pools in Bath, which was built in 1815 and is the country’s oldest, may never reopen to the public again.

It was open for just four months in 2023 after receiving £9.3 million for a revamp. But it hasn’t reopened since, and it might never do so.

The trustees of the restored lido revealed in a report that it “might not be possible” to reopen the pool, according to the BBC.

The report stated: “The risk that the cost to repair the pools and the plantroom will be substantial and beyond the resources available to the trust.

“There is therefore a risk that the pools cannot be repaired and reopened.

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“To mitigate against this risk the trust is exploring all potential avenues that would allow the pools to be repaired and reopened, including but not limited to legal recourse and external funding.”

The next steps for the trustees is to finalise the cost of repairs and work with the council and National Lottery Fund to secure money needed for the restoration.

Cleveland Pools is a Grade II listed lido, and is considered the oldest outdoor swimming pool in the UK.

It opened in the early 1800s and closed in 1984. It then took a huge campaign by the public, and almost £10million to reopen the lido in September 2023.

The money was raised by trustees from local donors, Bath and North East Somerset Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

When it opened its doors for the very first time, tickets for the Sunday free swim were so popular that the system crashed.

The lido looked like it would have a very popular season, but it was forced to close months later due to flood damage.

Heavy rainfall during Storm Henk caused a huge amount of damage to the plantroom – where all the equipment to operate the lido is kept.

At the time, Cleveland Pools Trust apologised and Paul Simons, chair of the trust, said: “Once the river level has dropped the pools will be pumped out, jet washed down, re-filled and then the treatment circulation will recommence.

He added that the time frame for that “should take a number of days, not weeks.”

However, two years on, the lido remains closed and has fallen into disrepair.

Meanwhile, another lido that hopes to open is in Tynemouth. It opened in the 1920s but has been closed since the 90s.

However, Friends of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool have been attempting to find funding partners to restore the lido.

The outdoor pool at Sharpness Point beach was once a gem for swimmers and in its debut weekend in 1925, saw thousands of people visit.

Originally it was a salt water tidal pool, and regularly hosted relaxed swim sessions as well as galas and competitions.

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With it not being lido weather, check out UK’s biggest indoor tropical waterpark where it’s always 30C – and you can stay all day.

Plus, here’s a hidden Grecian swimming pool that’s one of the grandest in the UK.

AN ancient town that was once the largest behind London is found in the Cotswolds.

Cirencester is often nicknamed the Capital of the Cotswolds, being its largest town.

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It was founded by the Romans, and was even the second largest town behind London at the time.

Now, it remains a popular market town and a commuter spot, being less than an hour from the capital.

There is the central Cirencester Market Place, with a market every Monday and Friday, as well as seasonal ones on Saturdays.

Don’t expect to find many chain shops in town either, with the majority being independent stores.

Make sure to head to Malt and Anchor, named one of the best fish and chip shops in the UK.

The town even has its own Cirencester Castle, which dates back to the 1107.

The town is is home to its own lido as well, which opened back in 1870.

Cirencester Open Air Pool is open until next week, before closing for the season.

There are two pools, a four-lane adult pool which is always at 26C as well as a kids pool.

Our pool’s serenely beautiful setting is just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of town so come and enjoy the sessions that run from May to September.

The main pool is 27m long, has 4 lanes and is kept at an inviting 26 degrees. Originally built as a 30 yard pool, a 1 mile swim is 59 lengths.

We also have a children’s pool that’s 0.5m deep.

One of the popular places to stay is the Kings Head Hotel, which was named as the best hotel breakfast in the UK last year.

Along with that, it also has 66 rooms, as well as an underground spa and on-site deli.

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Otherwise we stayed at The Fleece hotel in in Cirencester – here is what we thought.

There is also the Corinium Museum, named after Cirencester’s original name.

Otherwise there is the modern Barn Theatre if you want to catch a show.

Cirencester has its own train station with direct trains to London taking less than 50 minutes.

Here is a Cotswolds village with its own sandy beach and lagoon.

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The Strand Lido in Gillingham, Kent, is the only riverside tidal salt water pool in the UK – and it’s been a hit with visitors for more than a century.

A treasured lido in Kent has been compared to a Mediterraen resort by experts who say it resembles a Greek holiday resort.

The Strand Lido in Gillingham – a treasured destination amongst residents for nearly 130 years – features on the Historic Pools of Britain register. It earns its place as the sole riverside salt-water pool in the UK.

Initially opened in June 1896, The Strand Lido has remained a cherished location for countless families. With water sourced straight from the River Medway and treated with chlorine for secure bathing, it’s a beloved location for a sunny day out.

For fitness enthusiasts, the lido provides six 25-metre swimming lanes. There’s additionally a paddling pool for toddlers, alongside a 300-metre gentle current river, elephant-themed slides and water fountains to keep young guests amused, reports MyLondon.

With its pristine white surfaces and azure-painted aquatic zones, the entire venue resembles a Mediterranean holiday destination rather than a location beside the River Medway, according to experts writing for The Lido Guide. The review reads: “Nothing about the exterior gives away what lies within.

“What lies within is a riot of Mediterranean-resort-style colour and fun. Any children in the party will be completely unable to contain their excitement.

“The whole thing is a freeform riot of bright white painted concrete, edged in royal blue, that gives the treated river water that fills the pool a hue that is more reminiscent of Greece than Kent.”

The entertainment factor wasn’t overlooked either, with the guide noting: “It takes a special sort of curmudgeon not to grin like a loon while hurtling down a pink elephant’s trunk into brilliant clear water.”

Catering to all needs, the venue boasts sunbathing areas, an on-site café (though you’re welcome to pack your own picnic), changing facilities, loos, poolside showers and a shop selling inflatables, but you’ll have to hurry to enjoy it – it’ll soon closes until next year.

The pool remains unheated, meaning it only opens its gates during warmer months, from May 25 to September 1. Advance ticket booking is essential, with two daily sessions running from 10:30am to 1:30pm and 2:30pm to 5:30pm.

One delighted visitor shared their praise on Tripadvisor, writing: “So impressed with this place and feel lucky to have it in Medway. Very clean, love that the water is sourced and filtered from the Medway, not too much chlorine as lots of natural salt!

“Could easily spend the day here sunbathing and slipping in and out of the water at own pleasure.”

Another visitor dubbed it a “hidden gem” whilst recounting their visit. They said: “What a great place to go. Went for the first time this summer and was pleasantly surprised.

“It was very clean and well maintained. The parking was super cheap and the numbers were controlled so it never felt overcrowded which was lovely.”

Close by, the Strand Park features a delightful miniature railway, an open-air fitness centre, a parkour course, tennis facilities, picturesque waterside strolls, and children’s playground areas.

Another fan remarked: “This place is full of great things to do. Walk along the river, Crazy Golf, a mine railway and, of course, the wonderful Strand Lido Swimming Pool. Something for all really.”

A free-to-use outdoor swimming pool is slated to open up in the heart of East London, along with a whole host of summer activities. However, the lido will only run for a select period of time

A free outdoor swimming pool is slated to open in the Big Smoke this summer, but there’s one big catch Brits need to be aware of.

With temperatures predicted to rise to a sweltering 38C this month across parts of the UK, the idea of cooling off in the water has never been so appealing. Luckily, the Royal Victoria Dock in east London is opening an al-fresco water space, dubbed Summer Splash.

The unheated pool, which will be made from floating platforms, is completely free to use, and is set to open to the public next week, on Friday, July 25. However, the lido will not be a permanent feature – and will close down on Sunday, August 17.

“It’s the perfect place to cool off and relax, providing an urban retreat like no other,” hails Royal Docks’ official website. “Lounge in a deckchair, take a dip and soak up views of the Royal Docks’ vast open waters, framed by the City’s iconic skyline.

“The summer also provides a wider offer for water sports and wellness fans. [You] can dive into the action with wakeboarding and paddleboarding at WakeUp Docklands, waterside relaxation at Sweheat sauna, or the thrill of open water swimming at either the Royal Docks Swim Series in June or Dock2Dock in August, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.”

The lido, which will be manned by lifeguards, features a shallow section for children. There will also be a sandy play area, as well as deckchairs and a range of ‘exciting activities’ for kids.

“The Royal Docks is one of London’s best-kept secrets, a vibrant hotspot for creativity and culture, so I’m delighted to see the return of the At the Docks season,” Justine Simons, the deputy mayor for culture and the creative industries, said. “There is so much for young people and families to enjoy, from fun activities to open-air performances and festivals, as we continue to build a better London for everyone.”

If you’re heading into London to enjoy the free lido, Summer Splash is located just a short walk away from Royal Victoria DLR station. It is also close to the Emirates Cable Car on the embankment of Royal Victoria Dock next to The Crystal. You can plan your journey using TfL’s route planner here.

Brits are being encouraged to make the most of the lido while they can, as – in classic British fashion – downpours of rain are expected to brutally disrupt the UK’s ongoing heatwave. You can read the full weather forecast here.

*The lido’s core opening hours are 10am-6pm every day. Adverse weather conditions may see the pool closed. Check @Yourroyaldocks on X (formerly Twitter) for updates. Children aged under eight must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

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