One of the UK’s oldest lidos with water slides and kids’ play area reopens for summer after £2million revamp
A POPULAR UK lido has reopened for the summer season, following a £2.1million refurbishment.
Guildford Lido in Surrey closed back in November for renovation, but has now reopened for the summer season.
The lido, which features a 50-metre outdoor heated swimming pool and landscaped gardens, recently gained new energy efficient boilers to keep the water at 24C.
According to Surrey Live, the lido’s cafe has also had an upgrade and ‘Burrito Loco’ is trialling a new menu.
In addition, for the 2025 summer season, extra lane swimming sessions have been added to the timetable.
A spokesperson for Freedom Leisure said that the extra evening sessions would be added on Wednesdays and Fridays and run until 14 September.
Last September, Guildford Borough Council announced that the lido would not be opening for winter swimming in 2024-2025.
At the time, lead councillor for commercial services Catherine Houston said: “Last year, we invested £2.1m refurbishing the facility, which included brand new changing rooms, improved drainage systems, environmental technologies to reduce energy and water usage, and updated poolside catering.
“Over the winter months we carry out a planned schedule of works to ensure we can maintain a high level of service during the busy summer month,” according to the BBC.
In addition to the upgrades, Guildford Lido boasts a mini golf course, three slides, a paddling pool with interactive toys and a mini-slide for little ones.
Guildford Mayor Sallie Barker MBE, who reopened the lido on Saturday morning, said: “I’m reviving the tradition of the mayor being the first person to jump in to the pool on the opening of the season.”
A spokesperson for the lido added: “The new boilers are just one part of a broader plan to maintain and upgrade the facility, ensuring it continues to serve the community for many more years to come.”
Guildford Lido opened back in June 1933 and welcomed over 8,000 people on its first day.
Most of the UK’s lidos opened back in the 1930s, with some of the oldest being Cleveland Pools (1815) and Jesus Green Lido (1923).
Other pools that came after Guilford Lido include Droitwich Spa Lido, Sandford Parks Lido and Tineside Lido which all opened in 1935.
Entry to Guildford Lido would cost between two and a half pence and five pence, per person.
For the summer season, the pool will be open seven days a week from 6:30am to 8:30pm on weekdays and 8am to 6:30pm for general use at the weekends.
Season tickets are available from £115 or alternatively, a general swim session can be purchased from £5.57.
Guildford Lido’s reopening follows the announcement of a new £4million lido is expected to open in east London next year.
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