Latest news with #HistoricPools
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
UK's only riverside tidal lido is reopening with new £250k splash zone
The UK's only riverside tidal lido has officially reopened, and with a brand new splash zone worth £250,000. Located in Kent, Strand Lido and Leisure Park in Gillingham had been closed for months for the extensive refurbishment works. Originally opened in 1896, the attraction has been a firm favourite among local families and visitors. The waterpark's new splash pad has 30 sensor-activated water jets, which are situated in a beach-themed area. Aimed for children aged between three and 11, it's complete with new safety railings as well as bins. As well as its new edition, the leisure park's existing outdoor pool has also reopened, alongside the toddler pool and the central swimming zone which has 25 metre lengths. Its 300-metre lazy river is also back in action, just in time for the summer. Onsite facilities include a pool inflatable shop, a poolside cafe, changing areas and toilets, which management say are limited. There's also a miniature train ride, four tennis courts, an outdoor gym, a picnic area and two children's play areas available. Strand Lido and Leisure Park reopened on May 24 and will be open daily throughout the summer months. Admission to the park, which is cashless and accepts card payments only, costs £7.80, while children and seniors are £5.15. Last year, the Strand gained membership to Historic Pools of Britain after being recognised as 'historically significant'. Clare Short, from Historic Pools of Britain, said the Strand is a 'pool that epitomises the spirit of lidos as a place for fun and wellbeing, which it has been providing to its community and visitors for over 120 years, and that is historically significant as the only remaining riverside tidal saltwater pool in the country.' Speaking previously about the riverside tidal lido, local Councillor Nina Gurun, who handles the council's portfolio for for heritage, culture and leisure, said: 'We are proud to have invested in this exciting project to improve the already great offering and add a brand new fun feature for our children and families to enjoy both this summer and for years to come.'
The Sun
5 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Unique Victorian lido with outdoor lazy river to reopen with new £250k splash zone
THE only remaining riverside tidal lido in the UK is reopening soon with a new 'splash' feature following a £250,000 refurbishment. The Strand Lido and Leisure Park in Gillingham, in Kent, has reopened with a new splash pad. 5 5 5 The lido's new splash pad is designed for children between three and 11-years-old. The new water feature has 30 sensor-activated waterjets in a beach-themed play area, as well as new bins and railings. The existing paddling pool has reopened, too. Overall, the leisure complex includes an outdoor leisure pool, six 25-metre lanes for swimming, a 300-metre lazy river, a café and play areas. There is also a pool inflatable shop on site, a poolside cafe, changing areas and toilets. The Strand Park, more widely, is home to a miniature train ride, four newly refurbished tennis courts, an outdoor gym, riverside walks, a picnic area and access to the pebbled beach area. The Strand originally opened in 1896 and is now the only remaining riverside tidal saltwater pool in the country. Last year it was officially recognised as being 'historically significant' after gaining membership to Historic Pools of Britain. Speaking previously, Councillor Nina Gurung, Medway Council's portfolio holder for heritage, culture and leisure, said: "We are proud to have invested in this exciting project to improve the already great offering and add a brand-new fun feature for our children and families to enjoy both this summer and for years to come." To access the pools, sessions need to be booked online. Historic 'on-of-a-kind' lido has three heated swimming pools Adult admission costs £7.20, whilst it costs £4.75 for juniors and seniors. According to Clare Short, from Historic Pools of Britain, The Strand Lido is a "pool that epitomises the spirit of lidos as a place for fun and wellbeing, which it has been providing to its community and visitors for over 120 years, and that is historically significant as the only remaining riverside tidal saltwater pool in the country." In addition, the pool is Medway's only open air swimming pool or lido. After heading to the lido last year, one visitor said: "[Strand Lido] felt a bit like being on holiday and the kids loved it. "We played in the lovely park after and done the little train ride - kids enjoyed that. 5 "The fair was on too. [It] was as a nice little day out and local too." Another added: "Just loved this place so much to entertain our two-year-old. [A] sand pit, train, swings, slides, paddling pool, pebbles, water … everything a little person could want." A seafront English lido named one of the best in Europe has also reopened with £4.5million revamp to be unveiled in weeks. Plus, the European 'pleasure island' with lido, flumes and wave pool gets new TUI flights from the UK. 5
BBC News
24-05-2025
- BBC News
Gillingham lido open for summer after £250k refurb
The only riverside saltwater tidal swimming pool in England is reopening with a new £250,000 children's "splash pad" water play Strand Lido and Leisure Park, in Gillingham, Kent, will welcome families back for the summer on recognised as "historically significant" by Historic Pools of Britain, the leisure complex includes an outdoor leisure pool, six 25m lanes for swimming, a 300m lazy river, a café and play the most excitement will be around the new £248,283 children's water feature, which uses 30 sensor-activated waterjets in a beach-themed play area. Councillor Nina Gurung, the council's portfolio holder for heritage, culture and leisure, previously said: "We are proud to have invested in this exciting project to improve the already great offering and add a brand new fun feature for our children and families to enjoy both this summer and for years to come."The Strand opened in 1896 and the refurbishment was funded by money given to Medway Council by housing developers, the Local Democracy Reporting Service refurbishment was done using £248,283 of section 106 money, which is made up of contributions from housing developers to Medway leisure complex is now open each weekend until the end of summer and every day during the school summer holidays.
