From the pubic bath to the lido

[edit] Where does the term lido come from?

Lido, although familiar today in the English language, is Italian by origin; meaning a beach or shore, particularly a public beach for swimming. These lido's generally had associated amenities such as changing rooms and showers, cafes, restaurants, and so on. They were areas set aside for leisure activities, a place to swim, sunbathe, and socialise by the water's edge.

[edit] Where was the first lido?

The first lido is attributed to the Lido di Venezia, a barrier island in the Venetian Lagoon in Italy. It was inaugurated on the Eve of San Giovanni by Giovanni Busetto in 1857, consisting of wooden cabins on pilings over the beach, a common central area and two wings with 15 small rooms each. It became known as one of the most exclusive resorts, initially popular with royalty, actors and artists as well as with locals and a popular tourist destination. It was demolished in 1859 during the second Italian War of Independence, reconstructed in 1867 but damaged by a storm. In 1870 it again re-opened and was expanded, gaining some 30-60,000 visitors yearly. The Società Civile dei Bagni di Lido (the Lido Bathing Resort Society) was formed and expanded the lido itself with great plans for other lidos in the same vain.

In the late 1800's ad 1900's public outdoor swimming pools and beach resorts started to adopt the name lido, with many opening up across Europe and the rest of the world. As such the term became more familiar in the English language, even though a number of public baths had already been in existence in the UK, with some starting to also be referred to as lidos.

Lido Roman Baths in Bath Spa, England - July 2006 1000.jpg

[edit] UK Public baths and lidos

The first public bath in the UK, long before this, were the Roman baths of Bath, in Somerset. These baths were built during the Roman occupation of Britain, around the 1st century AD. The Roman baths in Bath were not only functional for bathing and relaxation, but also held cultural and social significance. Fed by natural hot springs, they had sections such as the hot bath, warm bath, plunge pool, and exercise, socialising, and religious spaces. The baths continue to be open as a tourist and historical site.

The first public baths of the type in the UK most associated with what now might be referred to as lidos were also in Bath and known as the Cleveland pools, which were built in 1816 and at that time called the Cleveland Pleasure Pools. A miniature crescent shape built from Bath stone incorporates a cottage which is flanked by six changing rooms facing a large pool, with a children’s pool added in 1852. The pool closed in 1978, and was briefly a trout farm in the 1980's, in 2004 a campaign was launched to save the pool from development, with a target to open in 2010. The pools finally reopened to the public after a major refurbishment in 2023 and are now often referred to as a lido; UK’s oldest lido restored to former glory after 18-year conservation campaign.

The Pells Pool in Lewes opened in 1860 and is often considered to be the oldest freshwater outdoor public swimming pool in the UK. This pool has managed to remain in use for most of its life, only in the 80's was it at risk of being sold to fund a new leisure centre. The public outcry, and the fact that the original gifting of the land in 1603 prevented it from being sold, lead to it being kept open. In 2001 a charity – the Pells Pool Community Association - was formed and took over the running of the pool with the Town Council contributing £10,000 a year. In 2011 The Pells Pool celebrated its 150th Anniversary.

Another early example of a what was originally a bathing lake is Tooting Bec Lido which first opened in July 1906 as the Tooting Bathing-Lake and is said to be one of Britain's oldest open-air pools. Today it claims to be the largest fresh water swimming pool by surface area in the UK. Its named was changed to Tooting Bec Lido in 1936 when a cafe was built with cubicles, in 2005 the pool was drained and repainted in advance of a summer programme of events to celebrate its centenary. Further works were required in 2006 on the paving, it was reopened to members in March 2007, and at that time hosted the Cold Water Championships.

Many of the historic swimming facilities in the UK, came into disrepair in the 1970's and 80's, and many were lost as a result, but a number have continued to seek funds, often driven by the local community. In 2015, Historic Pools of Britain was established as the first ever body to represent historic swimming pools in the UK. The website of Historic Pools of Britain tells some of the stories of how communities have gathered together to save many of these historic pools, for more information visit; https://historicpools.org.uk/

[edit] Examples of historic UK Lidos

Cleveland Pools, Bath, built in 1816. Cleveland Pools in Bath often considered one of the oldest surviving lidos, originally called Cleveland Pleasure Pools.

Pells Pool, Lewes, opened in 1860, Pells Pool is often considered the oldest freshwater outdoor public swimming pool in the UK.

Tooting Bec Lido, London, opened in 1906. One of the largest lidos in the UK, Tooting Bec Lido continues to be a popular swimming destination.

Edmonton Houndsfield Lido, opened in 1927. Said to be first outdoor pool in the UK to officially be called a lido, when it reopened after refurbishment in 1935. It was unfortunately closed in late 1979 and a housing estate now stands on the site.

Lido Ponty, The National Lido of Wales, built in the 1927. Original outdoor changing boxes and turnstiles, with art-deco features from 1934, the architectural style merges arts and crafts and art deco.

Park Road Lido, Crouch End, London, Built in 1929. Simple layout with children’s pool and sun terraces, run under a management contract with the local council.

London Fields Lido, London, opened in 1932. It closed in 1988 and fell into a state of disrepair, after restoration it was reopened by Hackney Council in 2006.

Brightlingsea Lido, Essex, built in the 1932. This seasonal, freshwater, unheated pool situated on the tidal estuary is the only remaining publicly accessible lido in Essex.

Grange Lido, Cumbria, built in 1932. Grade II listed Art Deco mushroom shaped lido on the edge of Morecambe Bay, currently closed and in need of repair. Save Grange Lido formed in 2011 with public support a vision and business plan have been produced to show benefit local residents, visitors and the local economy. The Council has earmarked £1.8m for restoration of the site and further funding is being sought.

Hinksey Pool, Oxfordshire, built in 1934. Originally created from the filter beds of the former waterworks, a large heated outdoor pool, with lap swimming, family area and poolside café.

Stonehaven Open Air Pool, Aberdeenshire built in 1934. An Art Deco, Olympic-sized heated lido filled with filtered sea water.

Hilsea Lido, Portsmouth, built in the 1935 and designed two years earlier. Grade II listed facility that has gone through periods of restoration and closure.

Droitwich Spa Lido, Worcestershire, built in 1935. One of Britain’s last remaining inland, open air saltwater pools, with an original art deco building. Closed in 2000, but re-opened in 2007 after a parish vote two years earlier to restore it, it still uses the natural brine feed.

Jubilee Pool, Penzance, opened in 1935, Jubilee Pool is a seawater lido located by the coast in Cornwall.

Hathersage Swimming Pool, Derbyshire, built in 1936. A large outdoor heated pool and open all year round in the heart of the Peak District with solarium and a bandstand.

Saltdean Lido, Brighton. built in the 1937. This lido features distinctive Art Deco architecture and has undergone restoration efforts in recent years.

Brockwell Lido, London, opened in 1937, this lido in London's Brockwell Park features an Olympic-sized pool.

Broomhill Open Air Swimming Pool, Ipswich, built in 1937. Currently closed.

Charlton Lido, London, originally opened in 1939, this lido has been refurbished and reopened to the public.

Parliament Hill Lido, London, opened in 1938, this lido is located on Hampstead Heath and offers unheated outdoor swimming.

Portishead Open Air Pool, Portishead, originally opened in 1960, this lido has undergone renovation and community-led restoration efforts.