Warm weather makes swimmers of us all. Much to the chagrin of the year-round dippers who boast about their chilly 8C swims on social media, Britain’s lidos and open-air swim spots burst at the seams as soon as the sun comes out.
For Portsmouth locals (or those fancying a south coast day trip), the outdoor swimming scene is about to get a whole lot better. Hilsea Lido, which has been closed since 2022, is undergoing a multi-million-pound revamp.
Hilsea’s 1930s lido is the deepest lido in Britain (4.6 metres at its deepest point) and is such a popular attraction in the area that when it closed back in 2007, local residents formed a charity – Hilsea Lido Pool for the People – to take over its management. The lido re-opened its doors in 2014.
Come 2022, the lido was in desperate need of a refurb and had to close once again – and it hasn’t re-opened since. Thanks to the Government’s Levelling Up programme, however, the outdoor pool is set to benefit from £8.75 million worth of investment into the surrounding Linear Park.
The swimming destination will get a full upgrade, including overhauling the changing facilities and shower cubicles with accessible access. The pools and lagoons are set to be revamped too, with new outdoor showers, a seating area and a ‘plant room roof’ all included in the plans.
The café area will also receive a chunk of the investment, being refurbed into a great social hub for the lido. Designs will be finalised in June and Hilsea Lido is set to reopen by summer 2025, marking its 90th anniversary.
Take a dip and visit the UK's most spectacular outdoor swimming pools.
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