The South West of England is home to some of the most beautiful outdoor swimming spots in the UK. Here at Dentons Digital, we have compiled a list of the top ones into our 2023 guide to local outdoor swimming/Lidos.
This guide will help you find the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly pool with a water slide or a more secluded spot to swim in the fresh air, you’ll find it here. Not only is swimming great fun, but it also includes your daily recommended exercise!
We’ve also included information on opening hours, prices, and facilities, so you can plan your visit ahead of time. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your swimming adventure today!
Shaftesbury Lido
Located in Barton Hill, Shaftesbury SP7 8DQ, the origins of the Lido go back to the mid-19th Century and are closely associated with securing Shaftesbury’s water supply. It is one of the oldest pools still operational in the country.
In 1852, it was developed into an Shaftesbury open-air swimming pool. Shaftesbury Town Council took over the management of the pool in 2016 and has invested in refurbishment works over the past few years to ensure the viability of this much-treasured community asset. It is the only open-air swimming pool in Dorset!
Today, the pool provides residents with a great place to learn to swim, as well as a range of classes. There’s free parking right next to the Lido too! Opening hours are 6:30am to 8pm.
Find more information here!
Shepton Mallett Lido
Shepton Mallett is home to a Lido pool, a 5 lane pool and a small children’s pool. Shepton Mallet Lido, nestled down an unsuspecting residential street in Shepton Mallet, is a fantastic place to take the kids for an outdoor swim during the summer months.
It has a toddler pool, a wonderful series of fountains and water jets to play in, plus a children’s play area on the grass.
Find more information here!
Portishead Open Air Pool
Opened in April 1962, Portishead’s pool has served its population for 60 years! Back in its heyday, the pool was a roaring success counting more than 250,000 visitors in its first 2 years of operation. The pool suffered years of neglect and underfunding until it was finally threatened with closure in 2008.
In 2009 newly formed Portishead Pool Community Trust took over the running of the pool. Today the open air pool located at Esplanade Rd, Portishead, Bristol BS20 7HD is heated and 33 metres long.
Find more information here!
Tisbury Swimming Pool
Opened in 1964, the outdoor, heated swimming pool is located in Weaveland Rd, Tisbury, Salisbury SP3 6HJ.
Its a community pool and relies on donations to stay open. They provide the community with a safe space to swim. Over the past years they have raised and used the money for many fantastic things like new benches, doors, changing facilities, showers etc and in 2022 we built new wet room facilities for disabled users.
Find more information here!
Greenbank Lido
Since opening on the 30th of April 1937, over four and a half million people have come and enjoyed Greenbank Pool and the pool welcomes many new customers each year.
Greenbank Pool is a charity which is managed by the trustees of Greenbank Pool. Located in the heart of Street, in the Somerset countryside, located a stone’s throw from Clarks Village Shopping Centre.
Th address is Wilfrid Rd, BA16 0EU. The lido opens between 10:30am to 6:30pm. It is open from May through to September.
Find more information here!
Cleveland Pools (Bath)
Opening in September 2023, the Cleveland Pools will reopen to the public for swimming. First opened in 1815, following the Bathwick Water act prohibiting bathing in the river, the lido was open until 1984 when it became a trout farm. In 2003, the Cleveland pools trust was formed to save the site and in 2019 they received a £4.7m grant from the National Lottery to restore the pools.
To celebrate this milestone being reached, and also to mark Heritage Open Days, swimming will be free on Sunday 10th September.
It is located at Cleveland Pools, Hampton Row, Bath BA2 6BJ. There is limited car parking so the best way to get their is to walk from central Bath for 15 mins or to get the 11 bath city bus to Forester road.
Find more information here!