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Better Lidos and Outdoor Swimming Pools
With many outdoor pools offering sunbathing terraces and continental style cafes, British lidos have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years. Following their heyday during the 1920s, a number of art deco buildings have been restored and re-opened to the public, enabling another generation to enjoy the pleasures of open air swimming.
Booking a swim online
All lido sessions will need to be pre-booked online or via the Better UK app. If you already have a membership with us but haven't set up your booking account, not to worry, click the link below to view our step by step guide to creating your booking account, FAQs and more.
Swim in the open air
London Fields Lido
Heated 50m Lido
London Fields Lido is a 50m Olympic size, outdoor swimming pool open all year round and located in Hackney, central London. The swimming pool has lane swimming available all day, swimming lessons for children and adults, one-to-one swimming lessons and advice and instruction for members and non-members during our swimfit sessions. Facilities also include a café as well as a large sundeck and sunbathing area.
Charlton Lido and Lifestyle Club
Heated 50m Lido
Charlton Lido and Lifestyle Club in South London, re-opened in 2013 following a massive £5 million refurbishment. As well as the heated outdoor pool, this site also features a gym, exercise studio, café, seating and sunbathing areas.
Hillingdon Lido
Heated 50m Lido
The Grade II-listed, 50m, outdoor lido with cascades fountains at both ends and a shallow splash pool for children. It is the perfect destination for an outdoor swim.
Jesus Green Lido
Unheated 91.4m Lido
Jesus Green Lido, situated in Cambridge, is the longest swimming pool in the UK and one of the few remaining examples of the lidos built across the country in the 1920s. It opens for public bathing all year round.
Oasis Sports Centre
Heated 27.5m Outdoor pool
According to TimeOut, Oasis Sports Centre is one of London’s best kept secrets! An 27.5m outdoor pool with an unrivalled history, it was first recorded as a bathing destination in the form of a Turkish Bath in 1728.
West Reservoir Centre
Open water swimming venue
West Reservoir is a manmade lake in the heart of Stoke Newington. It’s also London’s foremost Open Water Swimming venue. Wet suits are no longer compulsory when the water temperature is below 16 degrees. However, we strongly recommend wearing a wet suit once the water temperature drops below 14 degrees. There is a stunning waterside café situated in what was once a pumping house – the ideal location to soak up the sun’s rays afterwards.
Stanborough lake
Open water swimming venue
Set in the outskirts of Welwyn Garden City and surrounded by a beautiful countryside park, competent swimmers can take up Open Water Swimming at Stanborough lake. You'll also find a café serving hot and cold beverages plus snacks as well as plenty more water activities to try. Wetsuits are advised and bright colour swim hats compulsory.
Finchley Lido Leisure Centre
Unheated 25m Lido
Finchley Lido Leisure Centre, located in Barnet, is home to an open air swimming pool during the summer months each year. There is also an indoor pool with wave machine, fun spraying air jets, manoeuvrable water cannons and a rolling rapids feature.
Woodstock Open Air Pool
Closed for the season.
Woodstock Lido, located in Oxfordshire, consists of a main 25m swimming pool with a diving board and a toddlers’ paddling pool. The pools are heated to a very comfortable 29C. Facilities include indoor changing rooms with hot showers, a café and a large grassed picnic area.
Riverside Park and Pools
Closed for the season.
Riverside Park and Pools in Wallingford, South Oxfordshire, offer a heated outdoor pool ideal for a family day out for children.
Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pool
Closed for the season.
Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pool offers both lane swimming and 'swim for all' sessions, ensuring that there is a swim session for all ages and abilities for fun and fitness.
Splash pads
Enjoy the warmer weather with your little ones at a number of splash pads around London and the home counties. From fountains and sprinklers to water features, let your kids cool down when it heats up at a GLL-run splash pad.
Most splash pads are free to use, check for details before you go. You'll find splash pads at the following locations:
- Cambridge
- Stanborough Park, Welwyn Hatfield
- Abbey Meadows, Oxfordshire
- Riverside Park and Pools, Oxfordshire
- Clissold Park, Hackney
Please check individual locations for opening times.
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