Future Lidos is an informal network of community-led projects and campaigns around the UK and Ireland, dedicated to reviving outdoor pool swimming in our communities.
The group was inspired by the collaborative energy of three National Lido Conferences convened by The Lido Guide authors Emma Pusill and Janet Wilkinson.
In early 2021, Michael Wood of Northumbria University and Tynemouth Pool, Deborah Aydon of The People’s Pool, and Chris Romer-Lee of Thames Baths and Studio Octopi architects called a virtual meeting for all the lido restoration and creation projects in the UK and Ireland.
The group has been meeting regularly since then, and steadily growing: there are now over 40 known projects, and more are emerging all the time.
Future Lidos projects include the revival of listed heritage pools like Grange-over-Sands Lido and Bath’s Cleveland Pools (Britain’s oldest surviving lido, which will reopen fully in 2023).
Other heritage lidos range from Brynaman in South Wales, via Tynemouth on the Northumberland coast, to Tarlair in the far north of Scotland.
And there are many new-build projects such as campaigns in Dublin and Cork; the Yorkshire Swim Works near Bradford; The People’s Pool in Liverpool, and Brighton’s Sea Lanes, which is also due to open this year.
There is strong representation in the North of England, which has so far been under-served by the 21st-century lido revival. Many are in less affluent communities, and all are focussed on serving the widest community and tackling barriers to swimming.
Typologies range from the revival of listed purpose-built lidos, to repurposing industrial heritage for community benefit, and to fresh, inclusive, sustainable design for the 21st century.
After an 18-year campaign to save the Pools, a £6.8 million National Lottery Heritage Fund grant was awarded to help bring this wonderful heritage site back into use as a community pool.
The National Open Water
Swimming Centre®.
Sea Lanes will transform the former Peter Pan site on Madeira Drive, Brighton
Work is powering ahead on Hull City Council's £10.5m new lido and leisure facilities at Albert Avenue Baths.
Abergavenny Lido, South Wales
Broomhill Pool, Ipswich (Grade II listed)
Brynaman Lido, South Wales
East London Waterworks Park
Eastville Park Lido, Bristol
George’s Dock Lido, Dublin
Grange Lido, Cumbria (Grade II listed)
Kenilworth Lido, Warwickshire
Lido Cork
Mayday Saxonvale, Frome, Somerset
Morpeth, Northumberland
Otley Lido, West Yorkshire
Peckham Lido, London
The People’s Pool, Liverpool
Saddleworth Lido, Lancashire
Saltcoats Tidal Pool, N Ayrshire
Swaffham Pool, Norfolk
Tarlair Pools, Aberdeenshire (Category A listed)
Thames Baths, London
Tynemouth Pool, Tyne & Wear
Yorkshire Swim Works, West Yorkshire
If you are working to revive or create a lido in your community, please get in touch.