Outdoor swimming and swimming in nature have grown in popularity in the UK in recent years, with more and more Britons heading to the country’s beaches, lakes, cabanas and outdoor pools. for water repair.

While the occasional heatwave may encourage more of us to get in the water, many people have adopted year-round outdoor swimming for its many health benefits and a great all-round form of exercise. great.

Luckily, even those who live far from the sea can take advantage of the UK’s multitude of outdoor swimming pools and lids open to the public, with locations ranging from close to the city center to secluded retreats. in isolated rural areas.

independence We’ve compiled a list of some of the best things to do in the open water, whether you’re a nice-weather swimmer waiting for summer’s highs to dive in or having fun diving into any water. tell temperature.

Ilkley and Lido Swimming Pool, West Yorkshire

Built in the 1930s and surrounded by hills and fields in the Yorkshire countryside, Ilkley Lido is a popular summer destination for locals. In addition to the outdoor swimming pool (the widest point is 45m), the lido also has a tennis court, picnic area and a 25m long indoor heated swimming pool. While currently closed, it will reopen later in the spring.

Prices and opening hours

Admission for adults costs £5.60, while admission for children (age three and up) costs £2.90. Children under three go free. The site encourages anyone wanting more details to follow their Instagram (@ilkleylido) or sign up for updates on council website.

Serpentine Lido, London

Billed as “arguably London’s most iconic ‘outdoor’ swimming spot.”, the 100m-long Serpentine Lido is located in Hyde Park and is open to the public on weekends in mid-May each year. Usually closed in mid-September, lido is open to the public daily from June, although members of the Serpentine Swim Club – the oldest swimming club in the UK – can swim daily from 5 a.m. morning to 9:30 am, with many people racing on Christmas Day.

Guests can choose from drinks and snacks at Lido Café Bar after a dip.

Prices and opening hours

During the season, lido opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. daily. Full-day admission for adults costs £7, while admission for children (ages 3 to 15) costs £3.50. For morning or afternoon sessions, prices are £5.50 and £2.

Ponty Lido, Pontypridd, Wales

Yet another Grade II rated lido, the Lido Ponty was built in 1927 and is the ‘National Lido of Wales’. With three heated swimming pools, lido has something for everyone, from professional swimmers to families for a day out.

Following a recent £6.3 million restoration project, lido now also boasts a new eatery – Waterside Café – and Lido Play, a children’s adventure play area with swings and bridges. slides and tunnels.

Prices and opening hours

Those under 15 don’t have to pay an entrance fee, while the price for adults is just £3. Until May 26, there is a limited timetable for weekdays (still normal for weekends). From May 28, the main pool and activity are open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., while the splash pool is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saltdean Lido, Brighton

In 2010, plans were announced to build 102 apartments on this historic site in Brighton. Fast-forward to 2023 and much of the lido has been restored to its former glory, including the original 1937 crescent-shaped pool.

While restoration work on the main building continues – and will likely last until the fall of 2023 – the 40m swimming pool, play area and lawn will be open on May 1 before the coronation weekend. Further fundraising is also underway for plans to build a cafe, library, event space and gym.

Prices and opening hours

During school hours, the pool is open daily from 7am to 8pm (with some opening later for special events). During public holidays, opening hours will be from 7am to 7pm.

An hour of swimming costs £6 for an adult and £3.50 for anyone aged three to 17. Admission for eight hours (from 10am to 5:45pm) is £12 and £8 respectively. Children two years and older are free.

Bude Beach Pool, Cornwall

ONE “semi-natural tide poolWhere you can enjoy a wild swim in the Atlantic Ocean, Bude Sea Pool is a free in-sea pool maintained by a charity, Friends of Bude Sea Pool. Visitors are politely asked to leave a donation.

Although the size and temperature can vary due to the nature of the pool, temperatures can reach up to 18 degrees Celsius, while a local surveyor measured the pool to be about 91 meters long and 45 meters wide. – plenty of space to cool down in the summer.

Prices and opening hours

The pool is open year-round, although people are asked not to swim at night unless they are part of an organized group. The pool doesn’t have a dedicated lifeguard (although Summerleaze Beach does), but the ‘Pool Crew’ is open from 10am to 6pm in May and June and from 9:30am to 6pm in July and August.

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Sandford Lido Park, Gloucestershire

While the 50m heated swimming pool is the main attraction, Sandford Parks Lido advertises itself as “more than just a swimming pool“. Offering yoga, triathlons, lifeguard training and even dog swimming, lido offers a variety of activities across its four-acre garden in Cheltenham.

Lido also hosts a number of special events throughout the summer, from midnight swimming (August 4) to an outdoor cinema (June 26/27).

Prices and opening hours

Lido is open from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm during the week and from 7:00 am to 7:30 pm on weekends. However, it pays to track schedule as various times are reserved for clubs and members.

Adult admission costs £7.30, while discounts (including children) cost £5. There are deals on offer for families of two, three and four, priced at £8, £14 and £16 respectively.

Stonehaven outdoor swimming pool, Aberdeenshire

Originally opened in 1934, the UK”Olympic sized sea cap art deco only“Opens at the end of May. The heated pool offers play sessions for the kids, quiet swimming opportunities and lessons, and even a separate paddle pool for kids under eight.

Additionally, the complex features a covered sun terrace, an on-site coffee shop and free parking. It offers live entertainment on weekends as well as a number of different events throughout the season, including midnight swims and inflatables.

Prices and opening hours

Adult day tickets cost £6.60 while child tickets (for ages six to 18) cost £4.15. Children under five years old swim for free when accompanied by an adult.

Between opening and 7th of July, the swimming pool is open from 13:00 to 19:30 during the week and from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekends. During high season – from July 8 to August 21 – it is open from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. during the week and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. The pool is also open from 22:00 to midnight on Wednesdays during peak season.

Tinside Lido, Devon

Located at Plymouth Hoe and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Tinside Lido’s location and art deco style make it one of the most scenic areas in the country. A popular attraction for locals as well as tourists, next to the saltwater pool are the cafe, shops, and restrooms.

Prices and opening hours

From May 27 to September 17, lido is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily during school holidays, with some 30 minute breaks between sessions. During school time, the pool is open from 12:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and 10:00 to 18:00 on weekends.

Public swimming tickets cost £5.70 for adults and £4.55 for discounts.

Pell Pool, East Sussex

Opening on coronation weekend on May 6, Pell’s Pool is Britain’s oldest outdoor public swimming pool and first opened in 1861. Located near Lewes, the main swimming pool is an unheated spring water pool, 46 meters long, in addition to a children’s splash pool, sundeck and shaded lawns. tree.

Picnics are encouraged, although there are kiosks serving hot drinks, soft drinks, ice cream and snacks. With no other activities offered, this is the perfect opportunity for you to just sit back and enjoy the weather.

Prices and opening hours

Adult admission costs £3.70 for an hour of swimming and £4.75 for a three-hour swim session. Children under 5 are free, while those aged 5 to 15 pay a flat rate of £1.5.

inside open season, the pool is open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekday, although different sessions (such as lane swimming, gentle swimming, and open swimming) take place at different times of the day. On weekends, swimming in the dedicated adult lane takes place from 9am to 12pm, while open sessions take place daily from 1pm to 5pm. The pool closes every day for an hour, usually from 11am to 12pm or 12 noon to 1pm.

Lido Parliament Hill, London

Located in Hampstead Heath and built in 1938, Lido Parliament Hill It is the largest of 13 buildings built by London County Council between the two World Wars.

Today, lido is taken care of by Parliament Hill’s Lido User Group, which is now focused on smaller community-based action and set-up events. The non-heated swimming pool is open 12 months a year, while the cafe (also open daily) serves “100% vegan and about 80% Lebanese” cuisine, as well as a variety of coffees, teas, cakes, pastries and cooked breakfasts.

Prices and opening hours

Summer begins on May 6, when the pool is open from 7am to 8:30pm. Reservations take place between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day.

The price for a morning is £4.50 for adults, £2.70 for concessions and £1.40 for juniors. Tickets for a three-hour session in the morning or afternoon cost £7.80, £4.70 and £2.40 respectively.

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