AS temperatures are set to hit 29C in the UK this week, there is nothing better than hopping into a cool pool.
Thankfully, I’ve found some amazing lidos in the UK that are less crowded than some of the more well-known ones – and some are even free to visit.
Some of my favourite lidos are free in the UK – and perfect for a dip this weekend[/caption]
Many of the lidos are quieter and let you pre-book to avoid queueing[/caption]
We’re lucky to have so many great open-air swim spots in the UK and most are run by local councils, making them an affordable day out.
Some of them even share facilities with an indoor pool, so you can pay once and use both, whatever the weather.
You can usually book in advance, so you won’t be queuing out the door to see if you can squeeze in on a hot day.
I’ve even seen security guards having to crowd control at some leisure centres before, but there’s lots of little-known lidos that are a bit less busy, especially if you go off-peak.
Our family favourite is Hitchin Lido, which has a 50m main pool, shallow toddler pool and a sandpit playground for little ones.
It shares its location with an indoor pool – I remember one memorable opening day when we had only just got into the outdoor pool and a thunderstorm rolled in, so we all headed indoors to carry on swimming until it passed over.
Prices this year are £7.20 per adult and £3.60 for juniors.
Also nearby are Letchworth Lido and Ware Priory Lido.
We’re heading back to Ware for the first time in a decade this summer to check out its refurb, with a new changing village due to open soon.
It’s a lovely little pool and I think upgrading to heated floors, air conditioning, anti-slip tiles and hot showers in the changing area is just what is needed.
Next on the cards is a new studio space and treatment rooms later this year, as this 90-year-old lido gets brought into the 21st century.
It now stays open all year round, although it’s not heated over the winter. An adult swim is £6.75, while children pay £3.75.
One special spot that I found last year is fed by natural heated springs, so it’s a good temperature all year round and no pool chemicals are used.
Most of the time, the pool at the New Bath Hotel in Matlock Bath is adults-only, although they do hold one session a week over the summer holidays when swimmers aged 10 or above can attend with an adult.
Bude Sea Pool is a great free option[/caption]
My kids love exploring different lidos across the UK[/caption]
It’s got a lovely atmosphere, with the cliffs of the Derbyshire Dales as a backdrop, so it’s well worth a visit, although it does cost £10 per swimmer.
If you’re not a fan of pool chemicals, Nantwich Brine Pool uses the naturally salty water to offer outdoor swimmers something different.
It’s at the back of a leisure centre so there’s an indoor pool and changing village onsite, although the old open-air toilets are also still in use.
There’s an ice cream kiosk and lawned area for sunbathing. An adult and junior swim is £12.35 or £20.75 for a family swim.
If you’re heading to the coast, both Bude Sea Pool and Clevedon Marine Lake are tidal and free to access, although donations towards upkeep are very welcome.
Here in landlocked Leicestershire, we only have one public outdoor pool, but it’s a little gem.
Swimming safety advice
Experts have revealed some of their top advice for both adults and kids heading to the water this summer:
How to stay safe at the beach
Gareth Morrison, Head of Water Safety at the RNLI said: “If you find yourself being swept out to sea in a rip, try to relax and float until you are free from the rip and you can then swim to safety.
“If you see someone else in danger, alert a lifeguard or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”
How to stay safe at the swimming pool
Tiny Hearts Education, former paramedic and CEO Nikki Jurcutz said: “Always put your little one in bright or contrasting colours that would be easy to find in an emergency.
“It only takes 20 seconds to drown, little tips like this could save a life”.
An Auqabliss spokesperson added: “Swimming toys such as noodles, dive rings, floaties and beach balls can be dangerous if left in the pool.
“Children may try to grab these from the pool’s edge and fall in.”
How to stay safe at a waterpark
Ali Beckman, Puddle Ducks Technical Director, said: “Never send a child down the slide on their own, not only are they going to be entering the slide pool area independently, they then have to exit the pool and wait for an adult.
“And wave pools should be avoided until your child is really confident with water going over their faces and you know they are able to regain their feet independently.
“Waterparks are often very busy places and it’s easy to lose sight of a child in a split second.”
Ashby Lido has a sandpit playground in the former toddler pool and has just had a facelift for the new season, with its cubicle doors painted in bright colours to give a beach hut vibe. It costs £5.70 for adults and £3.90 for children.
Hopefully the warm weather is here to stay and we can all take a dip in our local lido over half term.
My favourite? Hitchin Lido for sure[/caption]
