Find outdoor swimming pools near me
Lidos And Outdoor Swimming Pools Near Me
Is there anything better than going swimming in the summer? At Better, our lidos, lakes and outdoor swimming pools are the perfect place to cool down on a hot day, unwind with family and friends or even catch a few laps after work.
Lidos are public outdoor swimming pools that people can visit for fitness or relaxation. The difference between lidos and outdoor pools is that lidos are typically near open bodies of water, like the beach. However, there are exceptions to the rule such as London Fields Lido, located near the canals in the heart of the city.
From casual sessions to swimming lessons, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. What’s more, since we’re part of a social enterprise, the cost of your swim gets reinvested right back into the local community, helping everyone enjoy spending time in the water.
Our Outdoor Swimming Pools
At Better, we offer a range of lidos, outdoor pools, reservoirs and lakes so you can enjoy the pleasures of open air swimming, no matter your level:
London Lidos
London Fields Lido
Heated 50m Lido
Best for: Year-round outdoor swimming
London Fields Lido is a 50m Olympic size, outdoor swimming pool located in Hackney, in North London. This swimming pool is open all year round and offers a range of activities including lane swimming and swimming lessons for children and adults. Other facilities include a café as well as a large sundeck and sunbathing area.
Finchley Lido Leisure Centre
Unheated 25m Lido
Best for: Summer swimming
Finchley Lido Leisure Centre in Barnet (in North London) is open to an unheated open air pool which is open during the summer months (open when the temperature is above 22° C). If the weather take a turn, there’s also an indoor pool with wave machine, spraying air jets, water cannons and rolling rapids. Other facilities include a gym, fitness studios and a sauna.
Oasis Sports Centre
Heated 27.5m Outdoor Pool
Best for: Scenic swimming in London
According to TimeOut, Oasis Sports Centre in Camden, North London, is one of London’s best kept secrets! A 27.5m outdoor pool with an unrivalled history, this pool started life as a Turkish Bath in 1728. Nowadays, it’s the perfect place for a dip with friends or a swim with the whole family. Other facilities include a gym, sports studios, squash courts and a sauna.
Charlton Lido and Lifestyle Club
Heated 50m Lido
Best for: Swimming with friends and family
Underoging a £5 million refurbishment in 2013, Charlton Lido and Lifestyle Club is the perfect place to unwind with family and friends. Located in South London, the club’s heated Olympic-size pool is open year round. Other facilities include a gym, exercise studio, café, tennis courts and sunbathing areas (open in the summer).
Hillingdon Lido
Heated 50m Lido
Best for: Summer swimming
This Grade II-listed, 50m outdoor lido in West London is a great place to enjoy a swim between May and October. With cascade fountains and a heated splash pool for children, this outdoor swimming pool is the perfect destination for some family fun. Other facilities include indoor pools, a gym, sports halls sun loungers and a café.
West Reservoir Centre
Open Water Swimming Venue
Best for: Open Water Swimming
West Reservoir is a manmade lake in the heart of Stoke Newington in North London. It’s also London’s foremost Open Water Swimming venue, making it ideal for more experienced swimmers wanting to give this activity a go. Other facilities include a scenic café and outdoor terrace, a watersports centre and various corporate venue hire options.
East of England Lidos
Jesus Green Lido
Unheated 91.4m Lido
Best for: Experienced outdoor swimmers
Jesus Green Lido in Cambridge is one of the few remaining examples of 1920s lidos in the UK. It also the longest pool in the UK, at just under 100m long. Open all year round, this venue is suitable for those who have outdoor swimming experience ( we recommend a wetsuit). Other facilities include cafés, an outdoor picnic area and a sauna.
Stanborough lake
Open Water Swimming Venue
Best for: Open Water Swimming
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. Other facilities include splash pads and event fields.
Oxfordshire Lidos
Woodstock Open Air Pool
Pool is temporarily closed.
Heated 25m Lido
Best for: Swimming with friends and family
Woodstock Open Air Pool, located in Oxfordshire is a four-lane 25m outdoor lido, ideal for leisure and fitness. With a diving board and a toddlers’ paddling pool, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Other facilities include indoor changing rooms with hot showers, a café and a large grassed picnic area.
Riverside Park and Pools
Pool is temporarily closed.
Heated 23m Outdoor Pool
Best for: Family days at the pool
Riverside Park and Pools in Wallingford, South Oxfordshire, is a fantastic location for a family day out. Near the River Thames, this pool is perfect for a leisurely swim with little ones and older kids alike. We also offer a Splash Park to help younger children stay cool during the summer. Other facilities include a café and nearby campsite.
Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pool
Heated 22m Outdoor Pool
Best for: Family days at the pool
Abbey Meadows Outdoor Pool, located in Oxfordshire, offers both lane swimming more casual Swim for All sessions, meaning there’s something for all ages and abilities for fun and fitness. The pool is also heated meaning you can still enjoy an outdoor swim on cooler days. Other facilities include a spash pad.
Book outdoor swimming online
At Better, we want everyone to experience the joys of swimming.
All lido sessions will need to be pre-booked online or via the Better UK app, following the easy steps below.
To make a booking on the website:
- Visit our ‘Book Activity’ page
- Find your nearest Better lido or outdoor swimming pool
- Select the activity you’re interested in to see timetables and availability
- Click ‘Book’ on the timeslot you want and log in to complete your booking
On the Better UK app:
- Log in and find your nearest Better centre
- Select the activity you’re interested in to see timetables and availability
Click ‘Book Now’ on the timeslot you want and follow the instructions to complete your booking
If you’re planning a visit to one of our lidos, why not see what else is happening in your area? From watersports sessions to saunas, check your local outdoor pool to see what else is on offer.
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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