All the lidos in the UK mapped – with water slides, cocktail bars and some are even FREE to enter

The Sun

28-06-2025

WHEN the sun shows its face, there is no better place to chill than beside an outdoor pool - and thankfully the UK has stacks of them.
The classic outdoor lido is having a bit of a moment, whether it's a recently refurbished Victorian gem or a brand new heated offering with a side of splash park.
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It's not just a place for exercise either, as some have poolside cafes, pizzerias or cocktail bars to tempt you to stay longer.
A few fun lidos around the country even have waterslides and can host birthday parties for your little ones.
UK lido expert, Jem Collins, 33, has made outdoor swimming her passion, creating a website AllTheL i dos.co.uk to list all of the outdoor public pools in the UK - with an interactive map to help others dip their toe into lido life.
She told Sun Travel: "I grew up in Devon and I love swimming. As a kid, it always felt like such a big treat to go to the outdoor pool with my family in summer.
"When I moved to London for work, I really missed the beach and being able to swim in the sea or outdoors, so I started looking for somewhere I could do that near where I lived.
"That's when I came across London Fields Lido, a simple outdoor pool in East London that's mainly used for e xercise swimming, but I loved it.
"After that, I started looking for different outdoor pools around the country and realised there were so many if you knew where to look.
"The best thing is, they are all so different - some are in their original locations, surrounded by stunning Victorian architecture like the Bristol lido.
"Others are preserved from the 50s and 60s, complete with stunning art deco buildings, like Saltdean Lido in Brighton.
And some, like Brockwell Lido, actually have a bar and pizzeria that look out over the pool, so you can go for a swim with your mates and then go for a drink after - or even order a pizza to your towel.
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All The Lidos was a passion project to inspire adventure by mapping out all of the lidos and outdoor swimming pools in the UK.
As well as the regularly updated map, the website also produces a growing number of lido guides - listing free and natural pools, classic lidos and newer, recently opened spaces.
And Jem said there's no better time to start swimming: "It's really good to swim or exercise outside. There are the obvious benefits of wellness, but it's also good for mental health too.
"I actually love swimming in the rain, when it's cold. You'll find it's far less busy too, and it feels really special."
"They are so relaxed and fun, plus really affordable for most people. In fact, some of the lidos on my list are completely free."
With so many to choose from, all with different styles, we asked Jem for her favourite pools across the UK so you can grab your goggles and dive in:
Best Secret/Wild Spot:
The two most northerly outdoor pools in the UK are the North Baths and The Twinkie up in Wick, just a stone's throw away from John O'Groats.
They're cared for lovingly by volunteers, who also make sure they're repaired when the North Sea brings gales.
These really do feel like you're at the end of the world when you find them — they're a bit of a walk from the town, but they're so worth it.
It's a truly magical and calm spot, with a community feel — and it's free. I'd recommend leaving time for a hot chocolate in town afterwards too, as North Sea is often on the chilly side.
Best New-Build Lido:
The Albert Avenue pool In Hull has been a fantastic addition to the UK lido collection.
It's been amazing to see a number of new lidos built over the past few years and this one is probably my favourite.
It's a great pool for both families and serious swimmers — it's huge, there's a range of slots, and, most importantly, ice cream.
I also love it because you'd just never know it was there from the outside.
I'd particularly recommend going at sunset, which leaves some gorgeous colours on the pool.
Best For Families:
It's got to be the Strand Pool in Medway for me!
It's a pretty unique saltwater pool fed by the tidal river and really focuses on being fun.
There are lazy rivers, elephant slides, and fountains.
On a hot day, it has everything, and is pretty reasonably priced.
For Serious Swims:
Many people don't realise you can go open water swimming at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, the very same place they held the Olympics.
I count it as a pool because it's human-made and is chlorinated, and it's also just very cool.
There are a decent number of sessions every week where you can swim around in a big loop - just make sure to bring your swim cap!
Best Spa Lido:
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Una Lido in St Ives is incredible value for what you get.
It's £20 for the day and you can lounge by the pool for a full 12 hours. There's also a sauna, steam room, cold shower, and a cafe.
And, it's just mere minutes from the beach.
For Lido updates and information, follow Jem on Instagram at @AllTheLidos