UK’s first FLOATING lido set to open in London with freshwater swimming pool and sauna
A NEW lido could soon open in the UK’s capital city – and would float on top of the canal.
Swim City Basin has revealed plans to open the outdoor swimming pool in London.
The pool would float on the edge of Regents Canal, which has been dubbed the “the loveliest inland waterway in England”.
I would be easy to get to as well, being in the middle of both Angel and Old Street tube stations.
Built in a steel tank, it would be supported by a pontoon structure, first created by the Victorians in 1875.
It is now a popular concept used globally, often seen in Nordic countries.
The lido would be filtered fresh water, it would also allow both tourists and locals to swim in clean water – with the canal currently being too dirty for swimming.
Along with the pool, there would also be changing facilities, a cafe and even a sauna.
Plans for a fitness studio and additional kids pool were quashed back in 2021 due to concerns on the impact on the canal.
The website states: “Islington is one of the only London boroughs without an outdoor public swim facility or lido.
“Swim City Basin was launched in 2019 with the sole objective of developing a floating lido in the basin and bring all the health benefits of outdoor swimming to the local community.”
The concept, dependant on the final proposal, has been agreed with the Canal and River Trust.
This will then be put forward to Islington Council, who are yet to five an official go-ahead.
An estimated opening date is yet to be confirmed.
Despite lots of plans for a floating lido in the UK, such as the Thames Lido and one in Canary Wharf, none have yet opened, so this would be the first of its kind in the country.
In the mean time, London is full of other amazing lidos.
One of the most well-known is Tooting Bec Lido, which is the biggest open air freshwater pool in the UK.
It reopened back in April after a year-long £3.8million renovation.
The 90-metre pool has been open since 1906, with capacity for 1,300 people.
Charlton Lido, in south London, has even been compared to Spain.
The lido has a huge outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool, heated to 22C, as well as a sun terrace and fitness zone.
One previous visitor said: “They have a spin station at the top of the pool, blaring out house music or whatever. I swear I feel like I’m in Tenerife.”
Five new water attractions opening in the UK
- 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.
And lots of people may not have realised that there is a lido in the middle of London, found in Covent Garden.
We even spoke to a lido expert who has been to nearly all of them in the UK – and they revealed their favourite ones.