A new free lido will open in east London this summer
Right on cue, Royal Docks is launching a temporary lido for a month later this summer. The lido, AKA Summer Splash, opens around this time every year and has been 'designed to provide a safe outdoor water space for local communities, young people, and particularly those without access to their own private garden or outdoor area'.
For 2025, the pool will be accessible from Friday, July 25 until Sunday, August 17. It's unheated, just in case you need to mentally prepare yourself to brave the chill.
Besides the pool itself, there'll be sandpits, deckchairs, lessons for kids, 'lates' DJs series and a wood-fired sauna. Like a sort of quasi beach club.
Summer Splash part of a wider water-focused programme in the area, titled At The Docks, that'll also offer wakeboarding, paddle boarding and open water swimming. On top of all that, there's a bunch of waterside events planned, like The Cause 's big birthday bash and Ensemble Festival – a showcase of circus, dance and physical theatre.
Justine Simons, the deputy mayor for culture and the creative industries, said: 'The Royal Docks is one of London's best-kept secrets, a vibrant hotspot for creativity and culture, so I'm delighted to see the return of the At the Docks season. There's so much for young people and families to enjoy, from fun activities to open-air performances and festivals, as we continue to build a better London for everyone.'
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Scottish Sun
24-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Dreamy free lido is opening in UK with sweeping city views, sandpits & even its own sauna
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WITH the hot weather set to return this weekend, Londoners can enjoy a brand new free swimming location. City dwellers can cool off from the scorching temperatures in a stunning new lido. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A new free lido will open in London tomorrow Credit: Royal docks/Instagram Whether you're looking for a sauna sesh or a cool dip, or both, this perfect summery spot in the heart of the capital has got you covered. Summer Splash is a safe water space for the local community to enjoy free of charge. Located at the Royal Docks, the latest in London's long list of lidos is part of the summer programme At The Docks. However, unlike most of London's other outdoor pools, Summer Splash will be entirely free to visit. But you'll want to hurry to enjoy this scenic swimming spot as it won't be around for long. Limited time The unheated pool will only be open from Friday, July 25 until Sunday, August 17. And the outdoor pool isn't the only thing on offer to visitors during these dates. There will also be sandpits to play in, deckchairs to lounge in, and a sauna for those random chillier days. And At The Docks has a vibrant schedule of evening events to enjoy so you can enjoy an full day out. The wider At The Docks programme will also offer Londoners the chance to try their hand at a variety of water activities. New £4million lido to open in UK next year Dock-side fun This includes wakeboarding, paddleboarding, and open water swimming. Meanwhile, dock-side lido will offer a pretty unique backdrop, with sweeping city views. And you don't even need to worry if you or your friends aren't the strongest swimmers. The lido will be manned by lifeguards and even features a shallow end. So with school just wrapping up, what better way to spend a summer's day? 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." Summer Splash is set to be a pretty perfect place for the entire family. More on lidos We've mapped out all the lidos across the UK for you to enjoy this summer. And the little-known lidos across the UK with no queues and low prices. Plus, an abandoned UK lido that is being transformed into a £795,000 splash park. Meanwhile, a treasured art-deco lido on the UK seafront has opened new facilities as part of a £4.5 million revamp. And a beloved UK lido with its own lagoon has moved one step closer to reopening after three-year closure.
The Sun
24-07-2025
- The Sun
Dreamy free lido is opening in UK with sweeping city views, sandpits & even its own sauna
WITH the hot weather set to return this weekend, Londoners can enjoy a brand new free swimming location. City dwellers can cool off from the scorching temperatures in a stunning new lido. 2 Whether you're looking for a sauna sesh or a cool dip, or both, this perfect summery spot in the heart of the capital has got you covered. Summer Splash is a safe water space for the local community to enjoy free of charge. Located at the Royal Docks, the latest in London's long list of lidos is part of the summer programme At The Docks. However, unlike most of London's other outdoor pools, Summer Splash will be entirely free to visit. But you'll want to hurry to enjoy this scenic swimming spot as it won't be around for long. Limited time The unheated pool will only be open from Friday, July 25 until Sunday, August 17. And the outdoor pool isn't the only thing on offer to visitors during these dates. There will also be sandpits to play in, deckchairs to lounge in, and a sauna for those random chillier days. And At The Docks has a vibrant schedule of evening events to enjoy so you can enjoy an full day out. The wider At The Docks programme will also offer Londoners the chance to try their hand at a variety of water activities. New £4million lido to open in UK next year Dock-side fun This includes wakeboarding, paddleboarding, and open water swimming. Meanwhile, dock-side lido will offer a pretty unique backdrop, with sweeping city views. And you don't even need to worry if you or your friends aren't the strongest swimmers. The lido will be manned by lifeguards and even features a shallow end. So with school just wrapping up, what better way to spend a summer's day? 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." Summer Splash is set to be a pretty perfect place for the entire family. More on lidos We've mapped out all the lidos across the UK for you to enjoy this summer. And the little-known lidos across the UK with no queues and low prices. Plus, an abandoned UK lido that is being transformed into a £795,000 splash park. Meanwhile, a treasured art-deco lido on the UK seafront has opened new facilities as part of a £4.5 million revamp. And a beloved UK lido with its own lagoon has moved one step closer to reopening after three-year closure. 2
Evening Standard
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- Evening Standard
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