Best outdoor swimming pools and lidos UK 2024

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Swimming outdoor and wild swimming have surged in reputation within the UK lately, with rising numbers of Brits heading for the nation’s seashores, lakes, lidos and outdoor pools to chill off, get match or simply hang around.

While the occasional heatwave could encourage extra of us to offer al fresco swimming a strive many individuals have embraced the pastime year-round for its quite a few well being advantages and as a superb all-round type of train.

Luckily, even those that dwell removed from our coasts can benefit from the UK’s nice vary of outdoor swimming pools and lidos, with metropolis centres and remoted countryside oases alike providing the final word water-based adrenaline rush.

Here’sThe Independent’s roundup of a few of our favorite spots for indulging in an al fresco dip, whether or not you’re a fairweather swimmer who’s ready for the peak of summer time, or are poised to make the leap regardless of the climate.

Ilkley Pool and Lido, West Yorkshire

Built within the Thirties and surrounded by forested hills and fields within the Yorkshire countryside, Ilkley Lido is a well-liked summer time vacation spot for locals. In addition to its outdoor pool and fountain (45m at its widest level), you’ll discover tennis courts, picnic areas and a 25m heated indoor pool. The Grade II-listed outdoor pool is split up so there’s room for severe swimmers and exciteable youngsters alike to do their factor. While at the moment closed, it should open once more later in spring.

Prices and opening instances

Adult admission is priced at £5.60, whereas junior (aged three and over) entry prices £2.90. Children below three go free. The web site encourages anybody wanting extra particulars to observe their Instagram (@ilkleylido) or join updates on the council web site. 

Serpentine Lido, London

Billed as “arguably London’s most iconic ‘open water’ swimming location”, the 100m-long Serpentine Lido is situated in Hyde Park. It is open to the general public on weekends from mid-May yearly, and every day from June, with the season ending in mid-September. Members of the Serpentine Swimming Club – the oldest swimming membership in Britain – nonetheless are in a position to swim day by day of the yr between 5am and 9.30am. Many participate within the lido’s well-known swimming race on Christmas Day, which has taken place yearly since 1864. Visitors can decide up drinks and snacks within the Lido Café Bar.

Prices and opening instances

During the season, the lido opens at 10am and closes at 6pm day by day. Adult full day admission prices £7, whereas baby admission (for ages three to fifteen) prices £3.50. For morning or afternoon classes, the costs are £5.50 and £2 respectively. Sunbed rent prices £11.

Lido Ponty, Pontypridd, Wales

Another Grade II-listed lido, Lido Ponty was in-built 1927 and is the ‘National Lido of Wales’. With three heated swimming pools, the lido has one thing for everybody, from devoted swimmers to households on a day trip.

A £6.3m restoration undertaking noticed the renovation of the Nineteen Twenties turnstyles, authentic wood altering cabins, and the opening of Lido Play, an journey play space for teenagers containing swings, slides and tunnels. Fuel up with candy and savoury waffles, together with vegan and gluten-free choices, at The Waffle House Caffi Lido. The Visitor Centre tells the story of the lido.

Prices and opening instances

Under-15s pay no admission payment, whereas the value for adults is £3. The lido opens for the season later within the spring, when the temperatures of the three pools is turned up; till then it’s operating occassional restricted chilly water swim classes. Check the web site for additional particulars.

Saltdean Lido, Brighton

In 2010, restoration plans have been introduced that included 102 residences alongside this historic lido website in Brighton. Fast ahead to 2024 and the lido has been restored to its former glory, together with the unique 1937 crescent-shaped pool.

While restoration works on the principle constructing proceed, the 40m pool, shallow youngsters’ pool, play space, sauna, gymnasium, library and lawns are open. A café will probably be opening quickly, with an airstream trailer offering snacks and ice lotions within the meantime.

Prices and opening instances

Until 28 April, the lido is open at weekends solely (8am to noon), although the sauna can be open Wednesday to Friday between 8am and 2pm, and 4pm and 7pm.

Between the top of April and October the pool is open day by day between 7am and 7pm, with prolonged hours throughout the faculty holidays.

One hour of swimming prices £6 for an grownup and £3.50 for anybody aged between three and 17 years. Prices for an eight-hour admission (between 10am and 5.45pm) are £12 and £8 respectively. Kids aged as much as two years previous go free.

Bude Sea Pool, Cornwall

A “semi-natural tidal pool” courting again to the Thirties, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in a wild swim within the Atlantic Ocean, Bude Sea Pool is a free-to-enjoy salt water pool that’s maintained by a charity, Friends of Bude Sea Pool. Visitors are politely requested to go away a donation.

Temperature can fluctuate due the character of the pool being crammed up by the tide. The highest you’ll discover it, within the summertime, is round 18C, whereas in April the mercury hits 11C. Size-wise, the pool is roughly 91m in size and 45m in width – loads of area wherein to chill down throughout the summer time. Its depth varies relying on how a lot sand and pebbles the tide brings in.

Prices and opening instances

The pool is open all yr spherical, though persons are requested to not swim at night time except a part of an organised group – night time swimming classes happen on Mondays and Thursdays, 5.30pm-6.30pm (till 21 March, however extra could also be introduced). The pool doesn’t have devoted lifeguards (though Summerleaze Beach does), however the ‘Pool Crew’ are available from April (weekends solely, 10am-6pm), then between 10am and 6pm every day in May and June and between 9.30am and 6pm in July and August. Check the web site for timings within the autumn.

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Sandford Parks Lido, Gloucestershire

The summer time season at this 50m heated pool – the UK’s largest outdoor swimming pool – opens on 4 May, with the lido open for chilly water swimming till then.

Offering yoga, triathlons, lifeguard coaching and even canine swims, the lido supplies a wide range of actions over its 4 acres of gardens in Cheltenham. There’s additionally a shallow pool for youngsters, full with a small slide.

The lido additionally provides a number of particular occasions all through the summer time, starting from midnight swims to alfresco cinema.

Prices and opening instances

The lido is open from 6.30am to 7.30pm throughout the week and from 7am till 7.30pm on weekends. However, it pays to control the schedule as numerous instances are reserved for golf equipment and members.

Adult admission is priced at £7.30, whereas concessions (together with youngsters) price £5. There are offers provided for households of two, three and 4 folks, priced at £8, £14 and £16 respectively.

Stonehaven Open Air Pool, Aberdeenshire

Originally opened in 1934, the UK’s “only Art Deco Olympic-sized sea water lido” served as a washing facility for locally-based troops throughout the Second World War.

The summer time season opens in late May, with the heated pool offering enjoyable classes for teenagers, the chance for quiet swims and classes, and even a separate paddling pool for under-eights.

The complicated additionally additionally has sheltered solar terraces, an on-site café and free parking. It provides dwell leisure on weekends in addition to a number of completely different occasions all through the season, together with midnight swims, water zumba and inflatables classes.

Prices and opening instances

Adult day tickets price £6.60 whereas junior tickets (for ages between six and 18 years) are priced at £4.15. Kids below 5 swim free when accompanied by an grownup.

Between opening and 7 July, the pool is open from 1pm till 7.30pm throughout the week and from 10am till 6pm on the weekend. During peak season – from 8 July till 21 August – it opens between 10am and 7.30pm throughout the week and 10am till 6pm on the weekend. The pool can be open from 10pm till midnight on Wednesdays in peak season (pre-booked is suggested).

Tinside Lido, Devon

Perched on the tip of Plymouth Hoe and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Tinside Lido’s location and Art Deco fashion make it one of the crucial scenic lidos within the nation. The pool was in-built 1935 and is Grade II-listed. A preferred attraction for locals and vacationers alike, the salt-water pool sits alongside a café, store and bogs.

Prices and opening instances

From 27 May to 17 September, the lido is open between 10am and 6pm day by day throughout faculty holidays, with a number of 30-minute breaks between classes. During time period time, the pool opens from midday till 6pm on weekdays and 10am till 6pm on weekends.

Tickets for a public swim price £8 for adults and £6 for concessions (£5.70/£4.55 for Plymouth residents).

Pell’s Pool, East Sussex

Open between May nad November annually, Pell’s Pool is the oldest outdoor public swimming pool within the UK – it first opened in 1861. Located close to Lewes, the 46m-long major pool is unheated and spring-fed, whereas there’s additionally a paddling pool for teenagers, a solar terrace and a tree-lined garden.

Picnics are inspired, and there’s additionally a kiosk serving scorching drinks, tender drinks, ice lotions and snacks (folks bringing their very own cups get a reduction). With no different actions on provide, it’s the proper alternative to only sit again and benefit from the climate.

Prices and opening instances

Adult admission is priced at £3.70 for a one-hour swim and £4.75 for a three-hour session. Children below 5 go free, whereas these aged between 5 and 15 price a flat price of £1.50.

In the early season, the pool is open from 7am till 6.30pm throughout the week, though completely different classes (resembling lane swimming, light swims and open classes) happen at completely different components of the day. On weekends, adult-only lane swimming takes place from 9am till 12pm, whereas open classes are day by day 1pm till 5pm. The pool closes every day for one hour, often between both 11am and 12pm or 12pm and 1pm.

Parliament Hill Lido, London

Located on the sting of Hampstead Heath and in-built 1938, Parliament Hill Lido was the most important of the 13 lidos constructed by London County Council between the 2 world wars – it’s 60m lengthy. Unheated (you’ll be able to examine on X for pretty common updates as to the water temperature on any given day), it’s open day by day of the yr and is run by the Parliament Hill Lido User Group.

The café (additionally open every day) is run by Hoxton Beach and serves “100 per cent vegan and about 80 per cent Lebanese” delicacies, in addition to numerous coffees, teas, pastries, muffins and cooked breakfasts. There’s a sauna in winter.

Prices and opening instances

During the winter season, till early May, the pool is open between 7am and 1pm. Opening hours throughout the summer time season are 7am till 8.30pm.

Prices per session are £4.50 for adults, £2.70 for concessions and £1.40 for juniors.

One-hour sauna classes price £3.30, and run from 7am to 1pm every day.

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