Lidos hold a unique place in England’s history. These open-air swimming pools emerged as symbols of fun and community in Victorian times, especially in seaside towns. Named after the Italian word for ‘beach’, lidos became popular in the early 20th century and had a real heyday in the 1930s.
Designed for both relaxation and exercise, the idea of public bathing spaces began much earlier. Read of the greenest choices for swimming costumes.
With industrial growth came better transport, and this allowed people to escape smoky cities. Victorians believed that ‘taking the waters’ was good for health, whether that was bathing in the sea or in freshwater pools. Seaside towns then began building dedicated spaces for people to swim in safety and comfort, away from tidal dangers.
Of course one of the most famous public baths is at the city of Bath, known for its Roman spa heritage. Meanwhile, Margate on the east coast was building public pools to attract visitors. Reflecting Victorian social norms, the pools were divided for men and women to bathe separately. And rich people would wheel themselves down to the sea in ‘bathing stations’, so they did not have to change in public!
The Golden Age of Lidos
When people finally had more free time and money, the 1920s and 130s marked the golden age of Lidos, with over 150 built during this period, especially in seaside resorts.
Some still exist today, and they were Art Deco works of art – with sweeping curves, clean lines and pastel colours. The pools often included sun terraces, cafes and diving boards.
Often families would spend entire days here – teaching their children to swim. Young couples would meet for dates, and people from all classes could attend to relax and mis. Some also held swimming galas and even concerts.
Decline and Revival of Lidos
The post-war boom did not last forever. And by the 1970s, maintenance cost of old buildings coupled with cheap holidays abroad, led to many lidos facing hard times, and closing down.
Famlies were asking why they would take their child to swim in a chilly pool, when they could take a package holiday to Spain? As the cost of maintaining lidos rose, it became impossible to keep some going, and many fell into disrepair or were demolished, to make way for housing and car parks. By the 90s, only a few original lidos remained.
But in recent years, there has been renewed interest in saving these beautiful buildings. And as more people continue to enjoy holidays at home and an interest in simple living, communities have rallied round to save these historic spaces, from volunteer work to councils getting involved to fundraising.
Modern lidos are now thriving once again, offering other attractions like pop-up events, heated pools and even yoga classes, to keep them financially safe. Brighton’s Saltdean Lido is an example of one that is now very popular with local people.
Notable Historic Lidos in England
Clifton Lido (Bristol) was opened in 1849 and faced closure in the 1990s. After extensive redevelopment, it has become a stylish leisure facility that combines history with contemporary design. Visitors can enjoy a swim in its beautifully restored Egyptian-style pool with a gallery on two sides, and third featuring cubicles with wood panel fronts. It’s now the oldest surviving heated pool in England.
Tooting Bec Lido (the largest freshwater pool in England) boasts an impressive 90 metres of clear blue water. Opened in 1906, it attracts families to serious swimmers.
Bath Cleveland Pool has been restored, after being closed to flood damage. Built in the late 1700s, the 1801 Bathwick Water Act banned nude bathing, and in 1827 the pools were sold to a local Reverend for £350.
In 1867 the ‘eccentric Mr W Evans’ would teach swimming (and provide ginger beer and gingerbread), often diving into the pool from a height (wearing a tall hat to protect his head!) After briefly going bankrupt, it has in the years been a place to baptise Jehovah’s Witnesses, a trout farm and a private residence, before finally reopening as a public bathing pool.
