Latest news with #outdoorswimming
The Independent
20-06-2025
- The Independent
The best lidos and outdoor swimming pools to visit over summer
The UK offers a wide array of outdoor swimming options, including coastal areas, rivers, lakes, lidos, and pools, perfect for cooling down during summer. The Independent highlights several popular locations across the country, such as Ilkley Lido, Serpentine Lido, Lido Ponty, and Bude Sea Pool. These featured spots boast diverse characteristics, from heated pools and historical architecture to natural tidal pools and family-friendly amenities. Details on admission fees and operating hours are provided for each recommended swimming destination, with some offering free access. Many of the listed sites hold historical significance, with some providing unique activities like year-round swimming for clubs or special events.
The Sun
09-06-2025
- The Sun
One of the UK's best seaside towns set to get new tidal lido on the beach
PLANS have been proposed for an outdoor tidal pool at one of the UK's oldest seaside towns. New plans have revealed a three-sided outdoor swimming pool, at the top of Scarborough South Bay. 3 3 If approved, the pool would have sand running into it and a sheltered beach and bathing area for children. The Scarborough Safe Sea Swimming Project's proposed site at Children's Corner is located near to the busy town centre, beach and next to the historic Scarborough Spa. A feasibility study was also presented to councillors, which was commissioned by North Yorkshire Council completed by outdoor swimming specialists and architects Studio Octopi. The study highlighted the potential boost to the local economy and benefits to well-being and health. The study also advised that there should be a pre-planning application "given the unique and rare nature of tidal pool projects". According to the BBC, Councillor Rich Maw said: "This idea began in the simplest of ways – with a letter from two local sea swimmers who asked me, 'How do we build a swimming pool?' "That one question has grown into a meaningful conversation, and now, the foundations of a community-led and deliverable plan. "Scarborough's South and North Bays are already loved by sea swimmers year-round. Cold water swimming is growing rapidly in popularity and for good reason." Scarborough was named one of the UK's best seaside towns by Conde Nasté Traveller last month, praising its reinvention of itself. Not only that, but Scarborough is the country's oldest holiday resort, dating back to the mid 1600s. New £4million lido to open in UK next year Even nicknamed 'Scarbados,' its long stretch of sand are the popular draw. There is also an English tidal lido right on the beach that you can only visit twice a day. Located in the historic fishing village in West Cornwall, Mousehole Rock Pool is open for 24 hours a day. However, when you can swim in the pool, depends on whether the tide is in or out. Due to being a tidal swimming spot, visitors can only have a dip twice a day. Essentially, during high tide the pool is exposed to the sea and fills with more water. But then during low tide, the pool can drain and will become shallower. The tide varies throughout the year, but in summer, Mousehole usually has two high tides a day - in mid-morning and the evening. Plus, a unique Victorian lido with outdoor lazy river to reopen with new £250k splash zone. 3
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Outdoor seawater swimming pool could get go-ahead
A campaign to create an outdoor tidal swimming pool in a coastal town could be given the go-ahead after being backed by councillors. The Scarborough Safe Sea Swimming Project was discussed by the Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee of North Yorkshire Council at its meeting on Friday. The plan is to build a three-sided seawater pool at the Children's Corner, at the top of Scarborough South Bay, which would have sand running into it and a sheltered beach and bathing area for children. Councillor Rich Maw said that outdoor swimming in Scarborough was already "growing rapidly in popularity". He said: "This idea began in the simplest of ways – with a letter from two local sea swimmers who asked me, 'How do we build a swimming pool?' "That one question has grown into a meaningful conversation, and now, the foundations of a community-led and deliverable plan. "Scarborough's South and North Bays are already loved by sea swimmers year-round. Cold water swimming is growing rapidly in popularity and for good reason." He acknowledged that there were some risks to sea swimming, as "currents, and cold water shock make it inaccessible for many and potentially dangerous for some". The site at Children's Corner, which is located just south of the busy town centre beach and adjacent to the historic Scarborough Spa, was agreed as the preferred location by the Scarborough Sea Swimming Community Interest Company (CIC) andcouncil officers. A feasibility study was also presented to councillors, while campaigners who had initiated the project looked on from the public gallery above, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The study was commissioned by North Yorkshire Council and was completed by outdoor swimming specialists and architects Studio Octopi. Other committee members, including councillors Heather Phillips, Liz Colling and Roberta Swiers, also spoke in favour of the plan. According to All the Lidos, there are five other public outdoor swimming pools in Yorkshire, including Alpamare Waterpark in Scarborough's North Bay area. The feasibility study recommended the submission of a pre-planning application, "given the unique and rare nature of tidal pool projects". The Scarborough Sea Swimming CIC will now work through the next stages of development, but the committee said it was eager to assist the group if it could. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Swimmers test sea water amid quality concerns Water quality declines at popular swimming spots North Yorkshire Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
BBC News
08-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Outdoor tidal swimming pool could get go-ahead in Scarborough
A campaign to create an outdoor tidal swimming pool in a coastal town could be given the go-ahead after being backed by Scarborough Safe Sea Swimming Project was discussed by the Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee of North Yorkshire Council at its meeting on plan is to build a three-sided seawater pool at the Children's Corner, at the top of Scarborough South Bay, which would have sand running into it and a sheltered beach and bathing area for Rich Maw said that outdoor swimming in Scarborough was already "growing rapidly in popularity". He said: "This idea began in the simplest of ways – with a letter from two local sea swimmers who asked me, 'How do we build a swimming pool?'"That one question has grown into a meaningful conversation, and now, the foundations of a community-led and deliverable plan."Scarborough's South and North Bays are already loved by sea swimmers year-round. Cold water swimming is growing rapidly in popularity and for good reason."He acknowledged that there were some risks to sea swimming, as "currents, and cold water shock make it inaccessible for many and potentially dangerous for some". The site at Children's Corner, which is located just south of the busy town centre beach and adjacent to the historic Scarborough Spa, was agreed as the preferred location by the Scarborough Sea Swimming Community Interest Company (CIC) andcouncil officers.A feasibility study was also presented to councillors, while campaigners who had initiated the project looked on from the public gallery above, according to the Local Democracy Reporting study was commissioned by North Yorkshire Council and was completed by outdoor swimming specialists and architects Studio committee members, including councillors Heather Phillips, Liz Colling and Roberta Swiers, also spoke in favour of the plan. According to All the Lidos, there are five other public outdoor swimming pools in Yorkshire, including Alpamare Waterpark in Scarborough's North Bay feasibility study recommended the submission of a pre-planning application, "given the unique and rare nature of tidal pool projects".The Scarborough Sea Swimming CIC will now work through the next stages of development, but the committee said it was eager to assist the group if it could. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Council 'looking for ways' to extend lido's season
A local authority has said it is looking for ways to extended the period of time an outdoor swimming pool is open for, after facing criticism. The Abbey Meadows outdoor pool, in Abingdon, is not due to reopen until 19 July - and will remain open for the duration of the school summer holidays. Vale of Wight Horse District Council, which runs the facility, said running it was "expensive", meaning it needed to be "careful" about how long it stays open. The pool had been at risk of closure in 2015 - but reopened in 2018 after a £1.3m refurbishment. Naomi Richardson, who campaigned to get the pool revamped, previously told the BBC: "I think we can say that it's disappointing - that would be an understatement. "I feel very frustrated about the potential that is being wasted, both for the town as a whole and the opportunities that are being denied people to enjoy the facility." In a statement, the council said: "We're looking for ways to lower costs and hope to extend the season in the future. "It's important to be careful and to remain within our operating budget so we can continue to open this popular site during the busy summer months, whilst also continuing to support other important services and our most vulnerable residents." In total, the pool will be open for six weeks over the summer holidays. An adjacent splashpad has already reopened. Unlike Abbey Meadows, most of Oxfordshire's lido's have already reopened to coincide with the unseasonal dry and warm weather. Banbury's Woodgreen pool and Wallingford's Riverside pool both opened last week, while Hinksey outdoor pool in Oxford reopened at the start of April. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Council's outdoor pool to stay shut until late July 'Much-loved' lido upgraded ahead of reopening Vale of White Horse District Council
