Edited by Oliver Merrington,
Waterbeach, Cambridge, UK
- with assistance from members of the Lidos History Society.

Go to the www.lidos.org.uk homepage

This webpage lists open-air pools in the UK more recently built than those included on my other webpages:

• Lidos and open air pools in London
• 1930s Lidos outside London
• Tidal salt-water seaside pools
• Potentially re-openable lidos in the UK

References and links

If you know of others not listed, or can supply information or photographs please let me know by typing

into your email program. I would particularly like to know whether any the pools on this page are pre-war.

See also the index to all lidos and open-air pools still open.

Abingdon: Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pool [REOPENED 2006]

This pool closed in 2004, but reopened in 2006. BBC News reported a petition to save the pool, in April 2005.

Websites:
from SOLL Leisure
or via Vale of White Horse District Council

Addlestone: Abbey Fit Sports Centre Pool

School Lane, Addlestone KT15 1TD Surrey
Tel: 01932 858966

Heated outdoor pool, built 1977, 22m x 9m, which "following recent improvements, is open for an extended summer period". Shared with Abbeylands School.

Run by Runymede Borough Council.

Arundel, West Sussex
Tel: 01903 884772

Heated open air pool of approximately 25m by 10m, with a paddling pool. The pool has been reduced in depth (2004) from 2.4 metres to 1.5 metres. This is to cut back on the amount of water needed to fill it and thereby running costs. There are no diving/spring boards.
Photograph of pool before it closed in 1999.

It was originally built in 1960, following a generous donation of land from the 16th Duke of Norfolk [to celebrate the 21st birthday of his eldest daughter, Lady Anne] with the stipulation that it should be used for a swimming pool.

Arun District Council made the decision to close the Pool in 1999 to save money.

Arundel & Downland Community Leisure Trust took responsibility for the site in 2001, with the main objective to reopen and refurbish the site. The first phase of the refurbishment was to the children's paddling pool in 2003 and it reopened the site during the summer school holidays.

2004: Main pool now re-opened following fundraising by local residents.
Janet Smith writes:
"The opening ceremony was performed on 27 June 2004 by Lady Mary Mumford, sister of Lady Anne. The Arundel and Downland Community Leisure Trust have had grants totalling approximately £212,000 from Arun District Council and Arundel Town Council, but will not be getting any subsidies. They have a 125-year lease on the site, which includes a large car park - allowing them to take the revenue from that too (as happens at Sandford Parks Lido in Cheltenham). The aim is to attract families and children rather than serious swimmers, and there are now plans under discussion for a retractable roof for those rainy days of summer. Fundraising so far has topped £40,000 but obviously more will be needed!"
For more details, see Janet Smith's book, p.164

Websites:
www.arundellido.com (no longer working)
see via Arundel Town Council website.

Love Lane / Whistley Hill, Ashburton, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ13 7DW
Tel. 01364 652828

Heated outdoor 21m pool, run by Teignbridge District Council.

Andy Hoines writes:
This pool was built in 1924 as part of the Golden Lion Hotel. The pool was later taken over by the council as a public pool. The size of the pool today is 21 x 9m - originally it may have been 70 ft long, but being a hotel pool, it may not ever have been a standard length. The current depth is 0.7 - 2.2m. The pool is heated to 27-29C and has a pleasant lawned sunbathing area. The 2005 season is end May - 2nd w/e in September. The hotel is now flats, however investment is continuing in the pool, for example hot showers were fitted in 2004.

[There is also a bathing lake at River Dart Adventures at nearby Holne Park (and an outdoor pool for residents only), where the admission charge may include use of the lake.]

Website: via Teignbridge District Council

Hood Park Leisure Centre, North Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire LE65 1HU
Tel: 01530 412181

1960s 30m x 13.5m outdoor heated swimming pool, is open May to September.
Tiny photo. Indoor pool complex adjoins.

Website: via North West Leicestershire District Council

Askham, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2PN
Tel. 01931 712673 (community centre)

Heated swimming pool 20m x 8m built in 1972. Run by Askham Swimming Pool Management Committee, based in the Community Centre.
(Grid ref 512 238)

Vale Park, Park Street, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 1DS
Tel: 01296 488555

A 20m Outdoor swimming pool, linked directly to a new indoor pool opened in November 2001. Open all the year round, Monday - Friday 9.30am - 10pm, Saturday & Sunday 8.30am - 10pm.
The outdoor pool is probably all new, but built on the same site as the one which opened in 1935.

Puddingmoor, Beccles, Suffolk NR34 9PL
Tel: 01502 713297

33m x 16m heated outdoor swimming pool, open from late May to early September. Run by Waveney District Council.

In November 2005 Waveney District Council said:
"Four potential sites have been identified in Beccles for a new leisure development designed to replace the ageing outdoor pool at Puddingmoor."

Aerial photograph

Website: via Waveney District Council

Billinghay Community Swimming Pool

Fen Road, Billinghay, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN4 4HU
Tel: 01526 861470

The pool was built by local people in 1972, and is run by a committee of volunteers. It provides a facility for local schools during the summer term, and for the local community throughout the summer holidays. The pool is 25m x 10m , heated (82F - 85F), open-air, and even has a small slide! With the aid of 50% funding from the Sports Council, the pool has been fully tiled out.

Website:
Lincolnshire County Council webpage

Newton Road, Bovey Tracey, Devon
Tel. 01626 832828

25m x 12m outdoor heated pool was built in 1973, and run by Bovey Tracey Swimming Pool Association.

For location, see Map (pdf) - Devon County Council

Website, with photographs,
www.boveyswimmingpool.co.uk

off Station Rd, Brynamman, Ammanford Dyfed SA18 1SF
Tel: 01269 824907

Open May to September: Mon - Fri 4pm - 8pm (also open on weekday mornings in school holidays), Saturday & Sunday 10am - 12.30pm, 2pm - 4pm

Photograph taken in 1955

BBC News item (2004)

Burgess Hill: Aztec Lido

Olympos, Triangle Leisure Centre, Triangle Way, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 8GA
Tel: 01444 876000

Part of an indoor and outdoor pools complex. The freeform heated Aztec Lido outdoor pool is open May to September. There are also outdoor rapids.
edited publicity photograph

This complex replaced the Burgess Hill Lido in St John's Park, built in 1936, which closed in 1998 and now filled in.
Aerial photograph of St John's Park

Website:
Mid Sussex District Council webpage

Castle Donington Community College Outdoor Pool

Mount Pleasant, Donnington, Derbyshire DE74 2LN
Tel: 01332 810428

Small outdoor heated pool.

Website:
Castle Donington CC

Victoria Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1FG
Tel. 01245 615050

Free form heated open air pool, 20m diameter, situated in "an enclosed grassed area with sunbathing terraces, an ideal setting for a family outing on a sunny day. For those who prefer to sit in comfort around the pool, there are garden tables and chairs and a refreshment kiosk serving cool drinks and ice cream. Also main 33.3m by 12.5m indoor pool and learner pool".

Andy wrote [2004]:
"I really enjoyed a visit to this freeform outdoor pool and the visit. I found the pool to be sparkling clean, the 1.8m deep end can still be dived into and the temperature was a pleasant 66F (it is apprently heated though!). There are also a couple of 25m swimming lanes and plenty of patio space, plus a small lawn for sunbathing. It is open from early May to mid Sept."

The original outdoor pool on this site opened in 1906. It was 150 ft x 100 ft, and designed by C Brown.

Website: www.riversideiceandleisure.com
Outdoor Pool Timetable

Publicity photograph

Moor Road, Chesham, Bucks HP5 1SE
Tel: 01494 776975 (pool and gym)

This 26m by 10m heated pool, with a shallow end of 3 ft and deep end of 6 ft, was built in 1964, and is open from May to the end of September. It has a poolside café and adjoins a gym & fitness club, tennis, and football (open all year). The pool was extensively refurbished in 1988-89, and further improvements were made in the 1990s. Now owned and managed by Chesham Town Council, the pool is available for hire.

A.H.J. Baines has written a short history of Chesham Open Air Swimming Pool on the Moor.

There are some photographs of this pool on my Flickr site.
Thanks to Kathryn Graves, from Chesham Town Council, for supplying these to me.

Website: Chesham Moor Gym & Swim,
or via Chesham Town Council.

The Lido at Chipping Norton

Fox Close, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 5BZ
Tel: 01608 643188

Open-air heated swimming pool, built in 1970. Open from end of April to end of school summer holidays. Open from 4pm to 6.30pm weekdays and noon to 7.30pm weekends, with extra sessions for adults. The pool was one of three built in west Oxfordshire in the early 1970s, the other two are at Carterton and Woodstock.

West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) took over the running of the pool in the 1970s and later sub-contracted management of the pool to Wycombe Leisure. In July 2002, the town’s new leisure centre (with a heated indoor swimming pool) was opened and WODC announced that the outdoor pool was to close.

2003 saw the creation of KOPO (Keep Our Pool Open) a campaigning group united by their love of the facility. They mounted a spirited “Use it or Lose It” campaign collecting 3,000 names on a petition. KOPO garnered tremendous publicity and organised many special events that saw numbers and income rise. Together with the support of the Town Council they lobbied WODC who agreed a one-year reprieve.

Late in 2004 WODC announced the withdrawal of their subsidy and the KOPO committee formed a company to manage The Lido and began immediate negotiations in order to take over the running of the pool. The company – Chipping Norton Lido Limited - signed a new lease to run the site in the future. A new manager was appointed and together with the new team are running what promises to be many more summer seasons at "The Lido at Chipping Norton".

June 2005: Jeremy Clarkson drove a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow into the swimming pool, for BBC TV Top Gear, recreating the urban legend that Keith Moon once drove one into a pool. See the website below for a clip.

Website:
www.chippylido.co.uk

Chudleigh: Community Swimming Pool

Lawn Drive, Chudleigh, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ13 0LS

The UK's newest lido, the pool opened in 1997, and is operated by the Chudleigh Community Project, using both paid and volunteer workers. It is the grounds of the primary school.

www.coombemoor.org.uk/pool/pool.htm

Cottenham Outdoor Heated Swimming Pool

Cottenham Village College
High Street, Cottenham, Cambridge CB4 8UA
Tel: 01954 288751

Heated outdoor swimming pool, 75 x 28.5 ft, depth 3 to 5 ft, open May to September.
This pool is in the next village from where I live. It is unusual in having raised sides, so that one goes up some steps and then down into the pool.

2005: Grant aid has allowed the pool to be re-lined.

Run by Cottenham Village College Swimming Pool Association.

Website:
www.cottenhampool.org.uk

Culgaith Swimming Pool

Culgaith, Cumbria (exact location not known)

Unheated outdoor swimming pool.

Ashby Road, Daventry, Northamptonshire

Three pools, opened in 1962, and a poolside cafe set in one acre of grass and trees. There was a 33 metre pool, with a 3 metre diving pit. The outdoor pool had been refurbished over the past 7 years.

January 2007: Lidos Yahoo Group message about its demolition.

Lechlade Road, Faringdon, Oxfordshire

[Apart from the address, I can find no other information on this pool, so it probably closed when the Faringdon Leisure Centre opened].

However, off Lechlade Road is Faringdon House, built in 1780, which "has a Gothic-style swimming pool in the grounds, complete with stone winged Wyverns (mythical winged creatures). The floor of the changing room is inlaid with pennies.".

Central Car Park, Leslie Smith Drive, Faversham, Kent ME13 8PW
Tel: 01795 532426

A new complex built in 1964, with an indoor and heated outdoor pool.
Aerial photograph

Church Road, Greystoke, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0TW
Tel. 01768 483637

Open air heated swimming pool.

Halesworth Outdoor Swimming Pool

Dairy Hill, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8JS
Tel. 01986 872720

Open air heated swimming pool (25m x 8.5m) with a large grass spectator area, run by Waveney District Council - who also run Beccles outdoor pool.
In 2005 they issued a press release questioning the future of these two pools.

Website: via Waveney District Council

Greencroft Avenue, Haltwhistle, Northumberland NE49 9BP

Three heated open-air pools (main pool, learner and paddling pools) built 1975, plus sports hall, cafe and adventure playground. Open Mid April to early September, weekdays 10am - 7pm, weekends 10am - 5pm, (later closing times during hot weather).

Publicity photograph
Aerial photograph

Hayle Swimming Pool

King George Memorial Walk, Phillack, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 5AA
Tel: 01736 752568

Unheated mid-1970s 25m outdoor pool. It normally opens in early June.
Hayle Triathlon is held there (eg on Sunday 24th July 2005).

Nearby is the man-made tidal Copperhouse Pool, built to wash out the sand from the entrance to the harbour. It is still used for annual swimming races and model boat sailing regattas. Carnsew Pool was also built as a tidal reservoir.

SOS Hayle is campaigning for the preservation of Hayle beach, harbour, Towans (dunes) and estuary, and to bring about an end to commercial sand extraction. SOS stands for Save Our Sand.

Websites: Friends of Hayle Swimming Pool
or go via Penwith District Council

Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool

Baxtons Lane, Helmsley, North Yorkshire YO62 5BH
Tel: 0777 239 5368

This 20m heated pool is operated under by Helmsley Recreation Ground, the trustees for which are Helmsley Town Council. It receives financial support from Ryedale District Council.

Janet Smith, author of the book "Liquid Assets", writes: "A glorious little pool nestling at the foot of the North Yorkshire hills. It is open from June to September".

There are some photos of the pool on a website about the North York Moors.

Website:
www.helmsleypool.org

Hemel Hempstead: Outdoor Swimming Pool

Sportspace Hemel Hempstead
(was known as Dacorum Sports Centre)
Park Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP1 1JS
Tel. 01442 228188

25m x 12m outdoor heated pool, bubble pool and paddling pool, plus sunbathing lawns.

Andy Hoines writes:
"I have visited this pool several times, including in June 1994 when I took this photo. There was then a large Olympic-sized outdoor pool alongside the later indoor complex from the 1960s-70s. Despite the lack of original pool buildings, it was a very pleasant place, with a large heated pool and extensive lawns.
The outdoor pool still exists. It has, however, been downsized and refurbished into a 25m x 12m and shallower (0.8 - 1.45m) pool to keep it as a viable proposition. The season is flexible between May and October, with it staying open well into October in 2003. A single admission ticket allows access to both indoor and outdoor pools. The sunbathing lawns are still extant and there is a paddling pool with a water feature.
In an era where few other outdoor pools in the UK have assured futures, this appears to be a model success story. The outdoor pool has been reduced in size and depth, but is of recognised dimensions for serious swimming and is substantially bigger than the "token" outdoor pools at Finchley and Aylesbury leisure centres. The flexibility to alter the season according to the weather is also most refreshing to me."

2003: Nigel, the centre manager, reported that 2003 was a fantastic year, due to the prolonged heatwave, the lack of other outdoor pools in the area following the closure of Ringshall, Welwyn Garden City, and Harrow in the past 5 years, and water quality problems which closed the outdoor pool in Hitchin for several weeks.

Website: Sportsspace

Highley: Severn Centre Outdoor Pool

Severn Centre, Bridgnorth Road, Highley, Shropshire WV16 6JG
Tel: 01746 860000

Jimmy Bullock writes:
"Highley pool, which I use, is heated and a reasonable size, was built in 1970 and was run by a band of volunteers."

John Heywood writes (2006):
This 30 metre pool, plus the same paddling pool, is exactly the same as before, but with different surrounds, fencing and improved changing facilities. It is now part of a larger sports facility called The Severn Centre. It is still owned by Bridgnorth District Council. The pool is heated to an excellent 80-82 degrees F, and opening dates were increased this year, being early May - late September. It is in a sunny and attractive rural location, and is well manned by helpful staff.

Over £1.3m of Lottery funding was invested by Sport England towards total project costs of £3.4m which brought about an innovative combination of facilities "designed to boost participation in sport and physical activity across the local community". As well as the outdoor swimming pool, the centre has a two-court sports hall, fitness suite, football pitch, cricket nets, meeting rooms, outdoor youth area (including a skatepark), library, club rooms and other social facilities.
The reopened pool and centre uses Suntube solar heating from Riomay Ltd on a 20,000 sq ft pergola.

Websites:
www.severncentre.co.uk
www.highley.org.uk/pages/severn.html

Highworth Recreation Centre: Outdoor Pool [closed for refurbishment]

The Elms, Highworth, nr. Swindon, Wiltshire SN6 7DD
Tel: 01793 762602

Heated open-air swimming pool, normally open May to Sept.
There is also a 25-piece gym, four-court sports hall, two squash courts and community rooms.

?2005: "Fundraisers are hoping to build a sliding roof over Highworth open air swimming pool, having this facility the town will be able to offer all year round swimming to its residents. So far over £300,000 has been pledged towards the £800,000 target, including £150,000 from Swindon Borough Council, £50,000 from Highworth Town Council and £50,000 from the pool's trust. The Highworth Recreation Trust, the group of trustees who help manage the centre, is hoping to raise £250,000 towards the appeal through a landfill tax scheme. In 1997, a £1.6 million Lottery bid to cover half the costs of the pool roof project fell through after Lottery officials decided the scheme was not cost effective. Since then the Highworth Recreation Trust have been working hard to find other ways of raising the money."

Website: via Swindon Borough Council

High Street, Hoddesdon, Herts. EN11
Tel: 01992 461592

Heated outdoor pool with plenty of grassy areas for lounging and a patio area where hot and cold refreshments are served. Open May to September.

November 2001: At a recent meeting, Conservative councillors gave strength to rumours that the Hoddesdon Open Air Pool will be run down and be built on. Initially, one Tory councillor described the rumours as "senseless". Cllr Alan McCole (Labour) promptly asked, "Can you give a commitment that you will retain this site for leisure use?" But a Conservative member of the Leisure Committee offered no such commitment. Instead, she responded, "I say to the users of the pool, enjoy it for as long as you can." The Conservatives have already committed themselves to reducing the pool's opening hours. The pool is expected to close for good once it next needs major repairs.
Small photograph.

High Wycombe: Holywell Mead Outdoor Swimming Pool

Bassetsbury Lane, High Wycombe, Bucks. HP11 1QX
Tel. 01494 518900

Built in the 1950s and is situated on The Rye in High Wycombe. There is a 30m outdoor swimming pool, 20m teaching pool, grass area and patio for sun lounging, cafe. The Holywell Mead Swimming Pool opens from May until September. It is run by Wycombe Leisure Limited.

Small photograph of both pools.

Website: via Wycombe Leisure Limited

Huish Episcopi: Sports Centre Swimming Pool

Huish Episcopi Sports Centre, Wincanton Road, Langport, Somerset TA10 9SS
Tel: 01458 251055

Pool built 1970-80s, and is attached to a school. Open May to September.
[2000-2001: local council was to research the feasibility of covering the swimming pool at Huish Episcopi Sports Centre].
The village name Huish Episcopi means "House of the Bishop".

Hunsonby: Swimming Pool

Hunsonby, Cumbria.

Outdoor swimming pool, probably unheated, on the South edge of the village, next to the river.

Irvine: Magnum Leisure Centre

Harbourside, Irvine, North Ayrshire KA12 8PP, Scotland
Tel: 01294 278381

There is a heated circular outdoor pool at the Magnum Leisure Centre, open from April to September, run by North Ayrshire Leisure.

Website: via North Ayrshire Leisure

Kenilworth: Abbey Fields Swimming Pool

Abbey Fields Park, Bridge Street, Kenilworth, Warwickshire
Tel: 01926 855478

Summer outdoor pool, open June - September; plus 25 x 10m indoor pool
small photograph

Kingsteignton: Swimming Pool

Meadowcroft Drive, Kingsteignton, Devon TQ12 3PB
Tel: 01626 366480

Heated outdoor pool.

Lazonby Swimming Pool

Barton Dale, Lazonby, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 1BU
Tel. 01768 898346

Heated open-air swimming pool, possibly attached to a caravan park.

Market Drayton Swimming Centre

Phoenix Bank, Newtown, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 1JU
Tel. 01630 655177

Has an outdoor pool and sunbathing area in the complex. The open air pool is decribed as being kidney shaped and suitable more for splashing about and cooling off than serious swimming. It is run by North Shropshire District Council.

The leisure complex is apparently built on the site of the previous lido which opened in 1933 to the designs of J.G. Bailey and built by J. Wood and Co. It was 165ft x 50ft and a local lady, a Miss Amy Onions, put up £1,500 of the £2,665 it cost to build.[Information from Ian Gordon].

Princes Street, Metheringham, Lincoln, Lincolnshire PE11 1QD

Outdoor pool run by Metheringham & District Swimming Pool Association.

Website:
Metheringham Swimming Pool

Aylesbury Street West, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, Bucks. MK12 5BS
Tel. 01908 322200

33m outdoor pool run by Wolverton and Watling Way Pools Trust, on land leased from Milton Keynes Council. Cllr Jessica Holroyd, Lab. and Cllr Brin Carstens, Cons., represent the Council on this trust.

Andy Hoines writes:
This complex, with a 6 lane 33.3m main pool, as well as children's and toddler's pools and extensive lawns was opened on 1st August 1964. The plaque at the entrance indicates that public subscription raised the funds. The deep end has been reduced to only 2.2m - I think that this was done in the late 1990's. There is also an unusual system of railings to restrict diving to the centre of the deep end. I visited it in August 2004 and found it very pleasant, being clean, well maintained having friendly staff.

2004: Pool closing on 27 August due to staff shortages and also because, due to the poor summer, the community trust has run out of funds. Next summer is expected to be the last for the current pool, as it is planned to replace it with a comprehensive sports complex, including an indoor 8 lane 25m swimming pool. There are some further details of the pool and the redevelopment proposals at:- http://www.mkweb.co.uk/leisure_facilities/home.asp

2005: This lido will stay open for at least one or two more seasons after this summer.

"2006: Radcliffe School sought outline planning permission "to establish the principle of erecting an indoor swimming pool for school and community on the southern side of the school, and the construction of a new access road from Great Monks Street and associated car parking. [It would] replace the existing outdoor swimming pool located adjacent to the southern boundary of the school." (A 2012 bid.)
A simultaneous outline planning permission by South East Midlands Local Improvement Finance Trust was sought "to establish the principle of erecting a health care development [integrated health and social care centre] ... on the site of the existing Wolverton Open Air Swimming Pool."
Both of these were suggested by a committee within Milton Keynes Council.
These were both granted by Milton Keynes Council on 26 April 2006.

Matt Leeder, the Pools Manager writes to say that it is open for "another last season" starting 10th May 2008.

Moretonhampstead, Devon

A solar-heated outdoor pool is located behind the Court Street free Car Park. It is normally open end of May to beginning of September dependant on the weather.
Small photograph

Northcroft Lane, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5BT
Tel: 01635 31199

This heated outdoor pool has unusual dimensions (75 x 15 yards) maybe because there has been a pool on this site since 1890. There is also a 10m heated outdoor baby pool. There is a conservatory overlooking the outdoor pool. Indoor pools and sports complex is adjoining.

Website: West Berkshire Council webpage

Castle, New Cumnock, Cumnock, Ayrshire KA18 4AN
Tel: 01635 31199

Cumnock and New Cumnock are two towns in Ayrshire, only about six miles apart - both used to have outdoor pools, but the older one at Cumnock was closed in August 2003, and has now been demolished.

Graham Kelly writes:
"New Cumnock is smaller but much tidier. It's a little unusual in that it's like a huge bathtub, i.e. it is not sunk into the ground like most other pools are. You have to go up a ramp to get to poolside which is about 10-12 feet above street level. I had a peer through the bars and noticed a plaque which said the newly refurbished pool was opened on 9 June 2001."

Alan Woodison writes:
I've worked at both Cumnock and New Cumnock outdoor pools. Due to lack of funds, New Cumnock Pool, built some time in the 1960s I'd guess, was given to the people and I think is now open over a much shorter season. It has been given a face-lift, including new poolside changing rooms, rather than before when one had to walk 100 yards from the adjacent libary building! I think the Galleon Centre in Kilmarnock (01563 524014) has the responsibility of running the pool at New Cumnock.

Heath Road, Petersfield, Hants GU31 4DZ
Telephone: 01730 265143

The Petersfield Open Air Heated Swimming Pool opened in 1962 and is now held in Trust for the people of Petersfield. A Supporters Club raises money to improve the pool and keep it open. The profits from the shop also contribute to the upkeep of the pool. It is one of only two open air pools left in Hampshire - the other is at Hilsea, near Portsmouth.

"We are open from mid-April until the end of September each year and can promise you a bundle of fun in one of the friendliest swimming pools in England. We survive from year to year on a mix of paid tickets and generous donations".

A wide lane for serious swimmers is provided betweeen 11:30 and 14:00 each weekday (except Bank Holidays) and is sometimes available on Saturday and Sunday between 09:00 and 10:30. The pool is equipped with a powered hoist to allow access by the disabled. After paying you are given a big "laundry box" to take to the brightly coloured changing cubicles.

The pool is unusual in having: a springboard with a 3-metre deep end, evening sessions (7-8pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in 2006), and such a long opening season.

Oliver swims here once or twice every summer, as his mother lives in nearby Rogate. He went to boarding school nearby.

Website: www.petersfieldpool.org with an excellent photo gallery.

Mutton Cove, Mount Wise, Plymouth, Devon.

Alan Powers writes: "Originally twin pools with a children's pool. Classical buildings with green roof tiles. One of the pools, with the best poolside buildings, has closed". [I have not found out when these pools were built].

Open daily. A note says: "a maximum of 300 people will be admitted into the complex at any one time"

For information on the many tidal sea-water pools in Plymouth, see a new webpage.

Portishead Open Air Pool, nr Bristol

Esplanade Road, Portishead BS20 7HD
Tel: 01275 843454

33m heated pool opened in 1962. This pool is managed on behalf of North Somerset Council by DC Leisure.

Graham Kelly writes: "It's an amazing setting, set into the cliffside and the huge, steep terracing on one side of the pool gives you an incredible view over the Severn estuary."

Website: via North Somerset Council or DC Leisure.

Scarborough: Atlantis Water Park [demolished: 2007]

Peasholm Gap, North Bay, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO12 7TU

Was an outdoor water park in North Bay, with a heated pool and "two gigantic waterslides, the River Rapids, and the Revolution Waveball creating an amazing sea atmosphere."

2006: Scarborough Borough Council have started a multi-million pound development of the 55 acre site. "The development will include apartments, holiday accommodation, a state of the art water park, sports and leisure facilities, a hotel conference centre, a casino, shops, bars and restaurants."
The Council thought 2006 might be the final season that Atlantis would open.

Cllr. Eileen Bosomworth, Leader of Scarborough Borough Council said in July 2006:
"Benchmark Leisure Ltd is going to deliver and operate a state of the art leisure pool fit for the 21st century with an 8 lane 25m competition pool. ... The leisure pool will include a small element of open air water to enhance the overall visitor experience. However the main focus is on a much needed undercover leisure facility that will be popular all year round ... ."

Interesting set of photographs taken in December 2006 by TheOss.

2007: There was an application to use the site as a theme park, see item in the local paper. Following approval, the fair operator filled in the outdoor pools.

The nearby South Bay Bathing Pool (1915), which closed in 1989, once had restoration plans by the Twentieth Century Society, see their casework study. It is Grade II Listed and was once the largest outdoor pool in Europe: 330 ft long and 167 ft wide.
April 2002: Jason Orton writes: "the pool is currently being filled with rubble. The visionary plan (sic) is to then top it with grass!". The derelict pool buildings were also demolished. All paid for with a £900K grant from Yorkshire Forward.
For a detailed history and photographs of South Bay Bathing Pool, see Janet Smith's book, pp. 58-61.

Shaftesbury Community Swimming Pool [now roofed over]
[was Shaston Swimming Pool]

Barton Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8DQ Tel. 01747 853514 [Tourism Office]

Formally a small basic outdooor pool. In April 2006 planning permission was granted to erect a canopy or roof over the swimming pool following a grant of £50,000 from the Big Lottery in the ITV West Region. The pool has now re-opened. See message to the Lidos Yahoo Group in May 2008.
I'm unclear whether this roof is retractable.

Note that their old website has not been updated.

Shaftgate Avenue, Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
Tel. 01749 342146.

33m outdoor pool built in the 1950s. The lido won Property of the Year 2007 at the national Leisure Report awards as it's able to get 40% of its heat via special pipes as the cider company, Brothers Drinks, chills its drinks. See BBC News report in November 2007.

The project is the latest part of a £500,000 make-over of this lido which has already seen the installation of a new children's play area, green area and a revamp of the changing rooms and pool.

Shap, Penrith, Cumbria
Tel. 01931 716379

Heated 25m outdoor pool and toddler pool, in the centre of the village by the sports field. Claims to be the Highest Open Air Pool in England, 250m above sea level. Run by volunteers, with grant aid from Eden District Council.
Oct 2004: Received a £50,000 grant to upgrade its facilities.

[There used to be an outdoor pool at Kirkby Stephen as well].

Pool website has photographs.

Skegness: Embassy Outdoor Swimming Pool

Grand Parade, Skegness, Lincolnshire PE25 2UG
Tel. 01754 610675

Aerial photograph:
35m Outdoor pool, open summer only.

The laying out of Skegness foreshore with formal gardens, swimming baths and boating lakes took place in the 1930s. The 1930s lido was closed in the 1980s, to be replaced by another 50 yards away. There is also a large paddling pool.

An indoor pools adjoins the outdoor pool.

Ivybridge: South Dartmoor Leisure Centre Outdoor Pool

Leonards Road, Ivybridge, Devon PL21 0SL
Tel: 01752 896999

Large outdoor pool, built 1986. Plus indoor pool.
Publicity photograph

Mumbles Road, Swansea SA3 5AR Wales

(This "lido" is now just a whale-shaped paddling pool, opened in 1998).

The Seafront, Teignmouth, Devon

Website: via Teignbridge District Council

Theale Green School, Church Road, Theale, Reading RG7 5DA
Tel. 0118 932 3725

A 25m heated open air pool is available from May to September. The pool is equipped with special inflatables and floats for safe children's fun and activities.

Tonbridge, Kent
Tel. 01732 367449

An outdoor pool linked, by a swim-through channel, to an indoor six-lane 25 metre fitness pool. Plus a teaching pool and a toddlers’ pool. The outdoor pool is open from April to the end of October. The original heated outdoor pool (on this site?) was built in 1910.

Website: www.tonbridge-kent.com/Amenit/swimpool.htm

Topsham Pool

Fore Street, Topsham, Exeter, Devon EX3 OHF
Tel: 01392 874477

"This modern, heated, outdoor facility was built by the community for the community, and was opened in 1979 after many years of dedicated fund-raising. The tiled pool measures 25m x 10m, with a shallow end of 1m and a deep end of 3m for the more adventurous. Heating equipment is augmented by roof-mounted solar panels maintaining water temperatures to a constant 80-83°F (26-28°C)."

Publicity photo
www.topshampool.co.uk/

Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8EB

The park, alongside the River Thames, has an open-air 25m heated swimming pool, normally open end of May to beginning of September. There is a caravan and camping site adjoining (May-Sept), as well as boat moorings.

John Griffin writes: "The pools were built in the 1950s on land given by the Lester family to commemorate the Coronation, and are not being reopened this year (their 50th anniversary, I believe) because the District Council won't spend the money to repair flood damage caused around New Year. There is a strong local outcry, as the paddling pool, particularly, and 25m open swimming pool are well used and greatly valued, in the summer."

Waterbeach: Barracks Outdoor Pool (local residents only)

Waterbeach Army Barracks
Waterbeach, Cambridge CB5 9PA
Tel: 01223 204421 (Guardroom)

Heated outdoor swimming pool, with sheltered grassy area around it, open May to September. To swim in this pool you must buy a season ticket each year from the Guardroom. As this pool is a short cycle ride from my house I try and swim there every day in summer. Lifeguards are provided by the Army, and there is a Tuck Shop.

The barracks were built between 1939 and 1941 as a Bomber base for the RAF, and was transferred to the army in 1963. The pool was contructed next to a wartime building in 1974.

Stoke-on-Trent: WaterWorld 2000

Festival Park, Etruria, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST1 5PU
Tel. 01782 205747 (around £9 per person)

The outdoor pool has a sunbathing and barbecue area. The pool also has a relaxing, 'lazy river' ride and a central spa.

Website: www.waterworld.co.uk

Castle Park, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, County Durham.
Tel: 01388 528466

25m heated open air pool, open May to September. Opened in 1974, the pool was built with public money, community enterprise and local businesses, working in their own time and supplying goods free of charge.

Websites: www.weardale.co.uk/woaspa/index.htm or www.woaspa.co.uk

Jubilee Park, Stixwould Road, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire LN10 6QH
Tel: 01526 353478

A heated 33m x 13m pool, open May to September. Also in the park are tennis courts, bowling greens, putting and a cricket ground.
Nearby is the "Kinema in the Wood", an early cinema which opened in 1922, in what was formerly a cricket pavilion. Films are shown using a rare original rear projection method.

Photo of the pool and another.

Shipton Road, Woodstock, Oxfordshire
Tel: 01993 811785

Symm Lane, Wotton, Gloucestershire GL12 7BC
Tel: 01453 842626

Wotton Pool is a small outdoor pool which opened in 1961. During the summer it is open from May until September.
The pool is owned by Wotton Town Council and managed by Stroud District Council. The pool was financed and built by the local community in a project involving school pupils, teachers and local people. A retractable roof was installed in 1999 to allow an extended season. In 2002 a supplementary heating system and pool surround were installed.

Pool website
District Council website

Acknowlegements:
Many thanks for recent emails.
The aerial photographs are copyright: The GeoInformation Group or getmapping.com

Oliver Merrington.
This webpage was first written in April 2002.
Some entries updated May 2008.