Winter Warmers: 10 of Britain's Best Heated Outdoor Pools
From Scotland to Kent, these heated lidos let swimmers enjoy the outdoors all year long — even in winter.
Britain has some amazing heated outdoor pools, called lidos, that are open all year round. Even in the middle of winter, swimmers can enjoy warm water, saunas, and great food at these special spots. From a giant infinity pool in Scotland to a Victorian pool in Bristol, there is something for everyone.
Portavadie in Scotland sits on the banks of Loch Fyne and was once planned as an oil rig site. Today it has what is believed to be Scotland's biggest heated outdoor infinity pool, along with spa pools, a sauna, and an indoor gym. The facilities are powered by a woodchip biomass generator, and visitors enjoy views across the loch to the Isle of Arran.
Beccles Lido in Suffolk has a long history of swimming on the River Waveney going back to 1894. This year, for the first time, the pools will be heated to 28°C during winter. The 30-metre main pool has a springboard and slide, and there is also a wood-fired sauna and a café.
Hathersage Pool in Derbyshire celebrated its 90th birthday this year. A local man named George Lawrence gave the pool to the village, though he later died in the Sheffield Blitz during World War Two. The pool is now heated with a modern renewable energy system and is open every day of the year.
Thames Lido in Reading opened in 1902 as a ladies-only pool and was fed by the River Thames. After closing in the 1970s, it was restored and reopened in 2017 with a hot tub, sauna, steam room, and a restaurant serving meals all day. A two-hour session including all the extras starts from £25.
Hampton Pool in London has been open since 1922 and is now run by a charity. It is heated to a warm 28°C and is open 365 days a year, with events like moonlight swims and festive celebrations. London has many other heated outdoor pools too, giving city swimmers plenty of great choices.
The National Lido of Wales in Pontypridd opened in 1927 and even a young Tom Jones swam there. After a major restoration costing £6.3 million, it reopened in 2015 with three heated pools. In winter the temperature drops to 14–15°C, but special holiday swims on Boxing Day and New Year's Day are heated back up to 28°C.
Built in 1922, this 36-metre pool next to Bushy Park in south-west London is now run by a charity.
Comprehension quiz preview
1. What is the name given to Britain's outdoor swimming pools that are the focus of this article?
2. What does the word 'restoration' mean as used in the article about Thames Lido and Bristol Lido?
3. Why might a swimmer choose to visit Hampton Pool in winter rather than Lido Ponty in winter?