UK's deepest lido is reopening this summer after three years – and an £8.75 million upgrade

Scottish Sun

a day ago

Plus, the best outdoor lidos and water parks in the UK
SPLASH ABOUT UK's deepest lido is reopening this summer after three years – and an £8.75 million upgrade
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THERE'S good news for outdoor swimmers, as Hilsea Lido is set to reopen in a matter of months.
The outdoor swimming pool, which is the deepest in the UK, will reopen very soon, having been closed since 2022 for a £8.75 million upgrade.
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The Hilsea Lido has been closed since 2022
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The lido has been popular with Hilsea locals since the 1930s
Credit: Portsmouth City Council
The Hilsea Lido first opened in the 1930s and is the deepest in Britain at 4.6 metres.
It closed its doors back in 2022 for a refurbishment - thanks to the Government's Levelling Up programme, the outdoor pool benefited from £8.75 million worth of investment.
Along with a fully functioning pool, there will be new changing rooms, benches, tables, and a fountain.
The CGI plans also reveal grass areas with sun umbrellas and sunbeds for relaxing next to the pool.
According to Portsmouth News, "a considerable amount of work has already been completed."
At the moment, locals can't see the works as there's a protective tent over the site.
There are heaters underneath keeping the temperature at 8 degrees which is crucial for the rendering to cure.
Finishing touches are being made like the tiling, the pool base has been stabilised, and the original lagoons have been restored.
To keep the pool going and without further need for work, a modern filtration system has been installed.
Parts of the original lido have been removed, like the spectator stand which was declared unsafe during the upgrade.
New £4million lido to open in UK next year
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Hilsea is the nation's deepest lido and upgrades have been made to maintain it
Credit: Facebook
The mural has also been removed, but the government website says that the artist will return to paint another once the lido is up and running.
It's not the first time Hilsea's lido closed its doors - the first being in 2007.
Local residents then formed a charity called Hilsea Lido Pool for the People who took over its management. The lido re-opened its doors in 2014.
After the current closure, the original plans said that the lido would reopen for its 90th anniversary, which is on July 24.
No official opening date has been revealed just yet, but there is more information on the Portsmouth City Council website.
It reads: "The project is set to reopen in early autumn 2025, which is the same year the lido will celebrate its 90th anniversary."
The opening of this UK lido has been forced to delay its reopening date after a £6.8 million restoration.
And here are the UK's best outdoor water parks and lidos for the summer months.