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   ![The Best Lidos In London & Around The UK](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_800x800/public/articles/2022/06/lidos-thumb.jpeg?itok=kvNOMn9M)

  

 

 



 

  Image: THAMES LIDO 

 

 

 

[Culture](/culture)

 /  28 June 2022  

#  The Best Lidos In London &amp; Around The UK  


When the warm weather hits, a trip to your local lido is always a good idea, and luckily, London – and beyond – has plenty of options. Just make sure to book your spot in advance…  


ByHeather Steele

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  Image: THAMES LIDO 

 

 

 

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

 



 

 

 

 

 ![Parliament Hill Lido](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_800x800/public/articles/2022/06/parliament-hill-lido.png?itok=cEANWJ2J)

 

 

 Parliament Hill Lido 

 



 

 

 

 

 

## LONDON 



  

Brockwell Lido, Herne Hill

In leafy Brockwell Park, this lido has been serving the community since 1937. It closed in the 90s, but a vocal campaign led to its reopening a few years later. Today, it’s run by volunteers, has Grade II-listed status and recently added a sauna. Come summer, it transforms into a pop-up outdoor cinema in the evenings, while the on-site cafés serve pizza and craft beers.

*Dulwich Road, Brockwell Park, SE24 0PA*

Visit [FusionLifestyle.com](https://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/brockwell-lido/))

Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds, Hampstead Heath

The wood-shrouded ponds in Hampstead Heath are one of the capital’s go-to locations. Split into three sections – men only, women only and mixed – these natural ponds take things back to basics in the best possible way. All three sites are fed by the springs of the Fleet river, and are open to adults and children over the age of eight. The ponds are open year-round – just mind the ducks in the summer.

*Hampstead Heath, Kentish Town, NW5 1QR*

Visit [CityOfLondon.gov.uk ](https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/activities-at-hampstead-heath/swimming-at-hampstead-heath)

Tooting Bec Lido, Tooting

This south London spot is home to the UK’s largest open-air swimming pool – which also happens to be one of the oldest, having opened in 1906. It’s always popular and you’ve got to be quick to book a spot, but if you’re planning to go at least twice a week, it pays to become a member.

*Tooting Bec Road, Tooting Bec, SW16 1RU*

Visit [PlacesLeisure.org](http://placesleisure.org/centres/tooting-bec-lido)

London Fields Lido, Hackney

London Fields Lido is a 50m heated outdoor swimming pool that’s open all year. The pool offers all-day lane swimming, lessons for children and adults, and one-to-one swimming tuition. There’s a café, plus a large sundeck and sunbathing area that expands during the summer months.

*London Fields West Side, Hackney, E8 3EU*

Visit [Better.org.uk](https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/hackney/london-fields-lido/timetable)

Serpentine Lido, Knightsbridge

This Hyde Park swimming pool stretches 100m into the Serpentine. It’s home to the Serpentine Swimming Club, whose members swim here every day, including Christmas Day, when they hold the famous race. Facilities include the Lido Café Bar, which serves hearty and healthy refreshments both inside and on an outdoor terrace.

*Hyde Park, Knightsbridge, W2 2UH*

Visit [RoyalParks.org.uk](https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde-park/things-to-see-and-do/sports-and-leisure/serpentine-lido)

Parliament Hill Lido, Highgate

This listed facility, which dates back to 1939, is also known as Hampstead Heath Lido. Bordering the parkland, the outdoor pool features a stainless-steel lining – in fact, it was the very first in Britain to do so. Today it has changing rooms, hot and cold showers, a supervised left-luggage facility, and separate areas for lane swimmers and leisure users.

*Heath Lodge, Highgate, NW5 1NA*

Visit [ParliamentHillLido.org](http://parliamenthilllido.org/)

 

 

 

Oasis Sports Centre, Covent Garden

Oasis Sports Centre is a leisure centre with both indoor and large outdoor pools that are open all year. Originally a Turkish bath in the 1700s, it became a dedicated pool in the 1930s, and today it’s the only outdoor heated pool in the West End. Surrounded by patio areas and a sunbathing deck, there’s also a sauna overlooking the pool – ideal for winding down after a dip.

*32 Endell Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9AG*

Visit [Better.org.uk](https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/camden/oasis-sports-centre/facilities)

Finchley Lido, Finchley

Finchley Lido is a great place for family swimming, with a leisure pool that includes a wave machine, jets and other cool features. The 25m pool offers a comprehensive ‘learn to swim’ programme, while the outdoor pool is a great place to cool down when the temperature soars. After a big refurb a couple of years ago, the changing facilities are some of the best on this list.

*Chaplin Square, Finchley, N12 0GL*

Visit [Better.org.uk](blank)

 

 

 

 ![Hampstead Heath Ponds](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_1920x1920/public/articles/2022/06/hampstead-heath-ponds_0.png?itok=mZGE7LNd)

 

 

 Hampstead Heath Ponds 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Park Road Leisure Centre, Crouch End

At 50m long and almost 25m wide, Park Road is one of the largest heated lidos in London and has been a popular summer swimming spot since 1926. Following an £8m investment a few years back, it has new changing areas, bathroom facilities, a new reception area and café. The pool was also renovated with landscaping and new water features to give the whole site a relaxing, family friendly feel.

*Park Road, Crouch End, N8 8JN*

Visit [Fusion-Lifestyle.com](https://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/park-road-pools-fitness/)

Charlton Lido, Charlton

Charlton Lido and Lifestyle Club is an all-round fitness destination, complete with tennis courts and a state-of-the-art gym. The wellness studio overlooks the club’s spectacular Olympic-sized and heated outdoor pool. During the summer months, the suntrap terraces are a great place to soak up the sun while sipping on something from the café.

*Hornfair Park, Shooters Hill Road, Charlton, SE18 4LX*

Visit [Better.org.uk](https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/greenwich/charlton-lido)

 

 

 

 

## AROUND THE UK 



  

Pools On The Park, Richmond

Pools on the Park (previously known as Richmond Baths) is a Grade II-listed swimming pool and leisure facility in Old Deer Park. The facility, which includes a 33m main pool and learner pool inside, also has an open-air pool – complete with a new sand pit if you’ve got kids in tow.

*Twickenham Road, Richmond, TW9 2SF*

Visit [Richmond.gov.uk](https://www.richmond.gov.uk/pools_on_the_park)

Thames Lido, Reading

Thames Lido is the result of a three-year restoration project of the Edwardian Kings Meadow baths. Tucked away on a quiet corner of Kings Meadow, right by the Thames, the 25m heated pool is open to the public year-round. It also has a spa (with saunas and a hot tub), massages, and a poolside tapas bar.

*Napier Road, Reading, RG1 8FR*

Visit [ThamesLido.com](https://www.thameslido.com/)

 

 

 

 ![Thames Lido](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_1920x1920/public/articles/2022/06/thames-lido-2.png?itok=13xdI90-)

 

 

 Thames Lido 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Saltdean Lido, Brighton

Described as “the seventh wonder of the English seaside” by English Heritage, the clifftop Saltdean Lido overlooks the sea, and reopened a few years back following decades of closure. The elegant art-deco lido has already welcomed over 40,000 visitors, and now a campaign is underway to help finance the restoration of its grand modernist pavilion.

*Saltdean Park Road, Brighton, BN2 8SP*

Visit [SaltdeanLido.org](https://saltdeanlido.org/)

Tinside Pool, Plymouth

Tinside Pool is a 1935 art-deco lido in Plymouth. This semi-circular coastal pool comes complete with three fountains and is overlooked by two of the town’s landmarks – Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Tower. The summer-only spot is filled with salt water (so it’s not heated), but it does offer a slice of seaside nostalgia.

*Hoe Road, Plymouth, PL1 3DE*

Visit [EveryoneActive.com](https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/plymouth-life-centre/)

 

 

 

Pells Pool, Lewes

The Pells Pool is the oldest documented freshwater outdoor public swimming pool in the UK, set in the beautiful town of Lewes in East Sussex. The Pells is an unheated spring-fed pool with facilities for the whole family to enjoy, including a tree-lined green lawn, sun terrace and exercise lane, as well as a children's paddling pool, floats and other recreational equipment. The water is usually cool at the start of the summer, and warms up as the season goes on.

*Brook Street, Lewes, BN7 2BA*

Visit [PellsPool.org.uk](http://pellspool.org.uk)

Jubilee Pool, Penzance

Notable art-deco architecture gives this beachside open-air lido an exotic feel. On Penzance promenade, it makes an ideal spot for all ages to swim safely in fresh salt water. High walls protect swimmers from strong, offshore winds and form terraces for spectators and sunbathers. Recently, the venue added a geothermal pool, all-year café and fresh terrace facilities.

*Battery Road, Penzance, TR18 4FF*

Visit [JubileePool.co.uk](http://jubileepool.co.uk)

Sandford Parks Lido, Cheltenham

Sandford Parks Lido is an outdoor swimming pool, set in landscaped gardens in Cheltenham. The lido consists of a 50m main pool (heated to 26°C) and a children's pool (heated to 30°C). The lido is open from March until October and is a children's paradise with slides and a paddling pool. The 50m pool is also an ideal place to train – two lanes are reserved most days.

*Keynsham Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7PU*

Visit [SandfordParksLido.org.uk](http://sandfordparkslido.org.uk)

Lymington Sea Water Baths, Hampshire

Lymington Sea Water Baths is a lifeguarded open-air lido in Hampshire. Built in 1833, it is the oldest lido in the UK and at 110m x 50m is also one of the largest. Today, young and old alike swim in the waters and enjoy the location, which has views over to the Isle of Wight. As well as paddle boards and hot tubs, the venue has installed the south coast’s biggest inflatable obstacle course, which is available to book in advance.

*Bath Road, Lymington, SO41 3SE*

Visit [LymingtonSeaWaterBaths.org.uk](http://www.lymingtonseawaterbaths.org.uk/)

 

 

 ![Thames Lido](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_800x800/public/articles/2022/06/thames-lido_0.png?itok=Dxo5FrYX)

 

 

 Thames Lido 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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