Grade-II listed UK lido with pretty gardens and heated outdoor swimming pool to get huge £300k boost
A UK lido has been given a huge boost following a new £300,000 funding drive.
Sandford Lido in Cheltenham dates back 89 years, having opened in the 1930s.
Now Grade II listed, the outdoor swimming pool, has been granted the £300k funding as part of the £80million government package to improve energy efficiency at pools.
Cheltenham Borough Council finance and assets cabinet member, Alisha Lewis said: “It’s absolutely essential that this money is pumped into the lido at this time because it is what is going to be able to keep their doors open and keep the building running.
“Sandford Park Lido is a spectacular site right in the heart of our town and it, like every other swimming pool in the country, is facing significant budgetary pressures because the cost of everything is going up, particularly energy.”
The lido’s main attraction is its 50m outdoor swimming pool, which is heated.
Having opened for the season back in May, it is open to the public casual swimming as well as other activities.
This includes everything from lifeguard training and swimming lessons to sunset swims and charity triathlons.
Other big events include the British Water Polo Championships taking place in September as well as the World’s Biggest Aqua Class next month.
There is also a kid’s pool inside, which is is booked separately.
Fancy it all to yourself? You can rent it for private parties, which costs £105 for up to 30 kids.
But it’s not just the main pool that attracts both locals and tourists.
The lido also has it’s own pretty gardens, with a patio seating area and fountain across the four acres.
These are are used for events too, such as yoga classes, film screenings and live theatre shows.
Also on-site is the Castaway Kitchen cafe, serving breakfast and lunch which includes options such as bacon baps and porridge as well as hot dogs, toasties and poke bowls.
You can even buy merchandise for the lido, including tea towels, robes, bobble hats and cards.
Adult tickets to Sandford Parks Lido start from £7.70, while kids are £5.30.
Family tickets are cheaper, with a family of four (two adults and two kids) costing £16.80.
Carers and under 5’s go free, as do season ticket holders.
It’s not the only lido in the UK, with more than 100 across the country.
We’ve found another heated lido, which also has amazing castle views.
A new lido is set to open in the UK next year, in London’s Valentines Park.
Five new water attractions opening in the UK next year
- Therme Manchester will have 25 swimming pools, 25 water slides and an indoor beach.
- Modern Surf Manchester will be a surfing lagoon offering lessons to both beginners and experts.
- Chessington World of Adventures waterpark is set to have wave, infinity and spa pools as well as waterslides and cabanas.
- The Cove Resort, Southport is likely to have a water lagoon and a thermal spa with steam rooms and saunas.
- The Seahive, Deal plans to be the “surfing wellness resort” in the UK.
Inside will be a huge pool as well as sunbathing area and splash park for kids.
And one mum has revealed her favourite little known lido in the country – where kids can even swim for free,