Saltdean Lido, Saltdean near Brighton
This Grade II listed, art deco lido tops our list thanks to its stunning position on the East Sussex coast. After a community-led restoration and multi-million-pound heritage revamp, the Saltdean Lido reopened in 2017 – and today it’s one of the UK’s most stunning outdoor pools.
My three-year-old son Reggie and I visited on a cloudy but warm day in July. We’d travelled on an early train from Portsmouth to get there for opening time. We took peanut butter and banana sandwiches for our train picnic to add to the adventure. Reggie was so excited to arrive into Brighton, or ‘Brian’ as he kept calling it.
The bus to Saltdean was just outside the train station – the number 12 Coaster. We jumped on and admired the views along the coast until the excitement of spotting the Saltdean Lido on the left, and getting to press the ‘stop’ button. The bus stop was just a few metres away from the entrance.
Saltdean Lido’s pools are surrounded by flat lawns – perfect for picnics and sunbathing. Thanks to our early train we managed to bag one of the few sun loungers. There were also a few gazebos for the early birds, and picnic benches too. Anyone arriving 30 minutes after opening time still had their pick of the lawns to spread their towels out.
Saltdean Lido’s main pool is 40 metres in length, and most importantly: heated. It was 26C for our visit. With steps to get in, rather than ladders, it’s great for accessibility, and fun for kids. The depths change widthways to almost two metres, rather than lengthways so there’s plenty of space for children to spread out up and down the pool. Reggie and I had a wonderful time playing on the steps in the fountains with his plastic dumper trucks.
Great news for little kids: as well as the impressive main pool, there’s a 17-metre children’s splash pool with fountains and a slide. I sat on the edge while Reggie giggled and splashed about with the other children as they loaded water pistols and shared their toys.
We indulged in a fruit shoot and a coffee from the airstream snack van to keep our energy up. Soon after we had lunch at the Deco Restaurant on site. On the counter top they had an impressive array of cakes, but we went for the biggest cheese straw I’ve ever seen. Then my son had homemade granola and yogurt, while I had an impressive flaked salmon Buddha bowl.
When we arrived the receptionist had thrust a full and thriving calendar of events into my hand, including Moonlight swims, outdoor cinema and fundraiser nights. There’s also their famous Dogtober where you and your four-legged pal can go for a swim together.
Just over the road you’ll find the shingle Saltdean Beach, where you can follow the Undercliff Walk to Rottingdean to extend your day out. Or, you could do like we did and head back into Brighton for some fun on the pier and Brighton Beach.
Then it was a quick bus ride back to Brighton Train station. We picked up a few M&S pasta pots in the station for the journey, and enjoyed chatting about our fun day all the way home.
How to get there? Get the train to Brighton Train Station. Hop on the number 12 or 27 Coaster bus just outside the station for 20 minutes. Or, you could get a Beryl bike from the station for a scenic coastal ride.
Tooting Bec Lido, Tooting Bec, London
Opting for a solo adventure this time, I boarded the morning train towards London to see how the best lidos in the capital measured up against Saltdean. From the south, it was easy to get to Tooting Bec, via Clapham Junction. The journey was so relaxing and quiet, I lost myself in a book the whole way.
I felt like I didn’t recognise the London I’d lived in for seven years walking from Balham Station through Tooting Bec Common to get to the Lido – so green! It was an easy walk to reach the UK’s largest freshwater outdoor pool.
Tooting Bec Lido is famed for its iconic bright red, yellow, blue and green outdoor changing cubicles. They even featured in Brad Pitt’s film Snatch, and, if you remember it – the All Saints’ Never Ever music video.
After an initial recce lap, I dived in – savouring the simple joy of gliding through the perfectly temperate water under the London sun. With only the rumble of trains passing just outside the pool fence and the occasional plane above to remind me I was still in the city.
Open daily from 1 May to 30 September, Tooting Bec lido is great for families. Kids can enjoy the shallow end and the thrill of jumping off the edge into the deep, while little ones have their own dedicated children’s pool right by the café.
The food available here is more classic lido fare than restaurant. The kiosk serves sandwiches, burgers and breakfasts in a baguette. You’re welcome to bring in a picnic, and on my last visit there was an ice cream van parked up for your Mr Whippy dessert.
There’s plenty of space to spread out on the lawns behind the cafe, or you can head up to the unique blue sun terraces – the perfect spot to dry off with the aforementioned good book.
After your dip wander back to Balham or Streatham Hill Station, both of which are surrounded by plenty of restaurants and bars to extend your day out.
How to get there? It’s around a 20-minute walk from Balham or Streatham Hill Stations, or you can get a local bus.
Brockwell Lido, Herne Hill, London
Tucked away in leafy Brockwell Park, this 1930s art deco Brockwell Lido is a South London favourite. It’s a sheltered oasis for locals to cool off, relax in the sun, and refuel with sourdough pizza and craft beer afterwards.
Brockwell Lido is smaller than Tooting Bec but still an important landmark in the community. Unlike many outdoor pools, it’s open year-round for cold-water swimmers. It’s unheated but on the day I visited in July it was 22C.
There’s no separate pool for little ones here, so it’s not quite as popular for babies and toddlers (which some may appreciate).
After your swim, you could warm up in the pool side saunas, stretch it out in a yoga class, or hit the on‑site gym.I’d recommend you seek out Four Hundred Rabbits on the pool side though. They’re the only pizzeria in London serving 100% sourdough bases and their inventive toppings pair perfectly with their craft beer.
There’s plenty to do nearby to enjoy a full day out after your swim here. The 50-hectare public green space has mature trees, lakes, playgrounds, a BMX track, tennis courts and even a miniature railway.
How to get there? The closest Thameslink Station is Herne Hill, a five-minute walk away.
Parliament Hill Lido, Kentish Town, London
Amongst the sprawling greenery of Parliament Hill Fields in Hampstead Heath, Parliament Hill Lido is another of London’s iconic open‑air pools. It was built to bring seaside-style leisure to inland Londoners – complete with terraces, a café, changing rooms, and space for sunbathing and spectators.
Parliament Hill Lido has been thoughtfully refurbished since the 1930s, blending its original design with clever modern touches. The pool is unheated and open year round, so it’s a popular choice among the adult cold water enthusiasts. It measures 60 × 28 metres, with depths ranging from a metre at the shallow western end to two metres at the deep end.
For families, there’s a children’s slide going into the shallow end and a paddling pool for little ones. You’ll also find changing rooms, lockers and lifeguards here.
The Parliament Hill Lido cafe is open daily and serves 100% vegan, mostly Lebanese food, alongside coffees, teas, pastries, cakes and cooked breakfasts.
The lido’s prime position gives you easy access to Hampstead Heath’s trails, ponds, playgrounds, and one of the best views in London from Parliament Hill itself.
How to get there? The closest Thameslink Station is Kentish Town, a 20-minute walk away.
About the author
Victoria Philpott has been a travel and festival blogger at VickyFlipFlipTravels since 2012. She’s travelled to over 70 countries, exploring the jungles of Papua New Guinea, sailing in the Philippines and cycling the length of Vietnam. Nowadays you’ll find her exploring Europe with her young son, and making the most of the beautiful UK.