A BELOVED lido, boasting elephant slides and splash pads, is set to reopen this Bank Holiday weekend.
This beloved outdoor pool is the last riverside tidal lido in Britain.
The Strand Lido Pool in Gillingham, Medway, will welcome back visitors this Saturday.
Listed as the UK’s only riverside salt water pool, this Kent-based lido uses cleaned river water that is safe for public swimming.
Opened back in 1896, Medway’s only lido has been inviting families to swim for over 130 years.
This Victorian-era lido includes a host of swimming facilities for all ages, including an outdoor leisure pool and toddler paddling pool.
Children will love the elephant slides into the paddling pool, and cruising along the 300-metre lazy river.
For more advanced swimmers, there is also a central swimming zone, fitted with six 25-metre lengths to get some exercise this summer.
In 2025, The Strand introduced a free-to-use splash pad designed for children aged three to 11.
The splash pad features 30 sensor-activated waterjets in a beach-themed play area, opening at the same time as the lido with no booking required.
Strand visitors can also enjoy refreshments from the cafe, a mini train ride, crazy golf, tennis, a children’s play area and more.
Around the lido, visitors can buy pool inflatables, enjoy a break at the pool-side cafe, and lounge on the seating and sunbeds provided.
To enjoy all this summer fun, entry to The Strand Lido costs £8.15 for adults, and £5.35 for children, with under threes going free.
The pool will be operating on weekends from May 23 with two bookable sessions between 10.30am to 1.30pm, and 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
It will then be open for seven days a week during the school summer holidays – starting from Tuesday, July 21.
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A MUCH-LOVED lido nestled in the UK countryside is reopening this weekend.
The Art Deco attraction, which features a “lagoon” pool and slides, first opened in 1935 as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations for King George V.
At the height of summer, Ilkley Lido, which was threatened with closure in 2024, attracts up to 5,000 people a day and is now Grade II listed.
Inside is a large swimming pool, with a shallow end for kids as well as a slide. It is surrounded by a grassy area and has views across Ilkley Moor.
An Art Deco cafe remains unchanged at the site, which also includes changing rooms, tennis courts and a picnic area.
It will reopen on Saturday, May 9, from 10am to 4pm.
From Monday to Friday it will be open from 7.30am to 8.30am and 2pm to 6pm, and open from 10am to 2pm every Sunday.
A full summer programme, with extended opening times, will come into effect on May 23.
Adult tickets cost £7.25 and £3.75 for children.
The lido has hosted the Ilkley Triathlon since the early 1990s – one of the longest running sprint events in the country.
There are, however, no plans as yet for open air events at the attraction this year.
As previously reported, the Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group said the attraction runs at a £280,000 loss every year.
A POPULAR English lido is re-opening just in time for summer – and it’s had a total makeover.
The outdoor splash park featuring fun elephant slides and a lazy river will welcome back families later this month, following a refresh.
An opening date for The Strand Lido and Leisure Park in Gillingham has been confirmed.
The refurbished Kent lido, which has the UK’s only remaining riverside tidal saltwater pool, will begin bringing the summer fun from Saturday May 23.
It will first be open for weekends, before offering its facilities seven days a week in the school summer holidays.
Two pool sessions are set to run every day the lido is open. The first from 10.30am to 1.30pm and the second from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
Entry to sessions must be booked online. While children under three go free, adult tickets are £8.15, with junior and senior tickets priced at £5.35.
The spruced up lido was revived last year, funded by contributions from housing developments to Medway Council.
The Strand, which first opened in 1896, now features a new splash pad for children aged three to 11.
There’s also a beach-themed play area with 30 sensor-activated water jets alongside the large outdoor pool, elephant-shaped water slides and a 300 metre lazy river.
Those who love a long swim can make use of the open-air pool’s six 25 metre lanes.
After a day of water play, families can relax with a refreshment at the Victorian lido’s cafe, enjoy a hit on the refurbished tennis courts or take on a round of mini golf.
There’s even a miniature train for little ones to ride.
