Historic coastal lido reveals huge £11million renovation – with heated outdoor pool, kids’ splash zone and restaurant
A HEATED outdoor pool in the UK has revealed its huge £11million renovation.
With the summer finally in full swing, people up and down the country will be heading to their local lido to cool down.
One place where summer days are bound to be better is Saltdean Lido in East Sussex, after work to restore the Grade II listed outdoor pool finally wrapped up earlier this week.
The Art Deco lido has been restored following a huge 14-year renovation, which was paid for with community donations and National Lottery funding.
Key features like the pool and the lido’s building, where visitors will find a cafe, library, ballroom and an exercise space, have been revamped as part of the restoration work.
Speaking yesterday (July 30, 2024), Derek Leaver, chairman of Saltdean Lido, said: “Now, the sun’s come out and we’ve got a day like this. Finally it’s finished.”
“In 2010, there was the threat of filling the pool and turning it into a block of flats.
“But the community got together and campaigned against that. We didn’t want that to happen.”
Saltdean Lido is home to a 40m outdoor heated pool, which sits alongside a spacious grassy area where visitors can sunbathe.
There’s also a children’s splash pool complete with fountains, making it perfect for younger visitors.
Other features at Saltdean Lido include a set of changing rooms, complete with warm showers.
Exercise classes will also be taking in the lido’s newly refurbished building.
There are three places to eat at Saltdean Lido, including a cafe, a food trailer and the Deco Restaurant.
Saltdean Lido has been praised by visitors on TripAdvisor, with one person saying: “The pool is lovely now it is fully restored.”
Another person wrote: “We had a lovely lunch sat in the sunshine surrounded by gorgeous art deco fixtures and fittings. I highly recommend.”
Someone else said: “A beautiful pool with art deco features that has been sensitively upgraded. It’s a lovely place to swim.”
The summer season at Saltdean Lido runs from May 1, 2024, until September 12, 2024, with the lido open from 7am until 6pm every day.
Saltdean Lido also operates a winter season from October until April.
Adults will need to pay £14.50 to swim at the lido, with tickets for young people costing £9.50.
Young people, aged 18 and under, who live in Brighton and Hove will be able to swim for free this summer.
Other lidos reopening in the UK
There are plenty of other lidos in the UK that are currently being renovated too.
Hilsea Lido, the UK’s deepest lido in the UK, is slated to open in 2025 – after being closed for more than three years.
The 1930s lido first closed its doors back in 2007, but it reopened back in 2014 after its management was taken over by Hilsea Lido Pool for the People – a charity formed by residents.
The charity group was forced to close Hilsea Lido in 2022 because its old infrastructure was in desperate need of a refurb.
Broomhill open air swimming pool has been closed for over two decades.
However, that’s set to change soon with funding secured for a £10m redevelopment of the pool.
Five new water attractions opening in the UK next year
- Therme Manchester will have 25 swimming pools, 25 water slides and an indoor beach.
- Modern Surf Manchester will be a surfing lagoon offering lessons to both beginners and experts.
- Chessington World of Adventures waterpark is set to have wave, infinity and spa pools as well as waterslides and cabanas.
- The Cove Resort, Southport is likely to have a water lagoon and a thermal spa with steam rooms and saunas.
- The Seahive, Deal plans to be the “surfing wellness resort” in the UK.
Kent’s The Strand Lido in Gillingham has been compared to Greece because of its bright blue and white design.
And a lido in London is said to have similar vibes to that of Tenerife.