The UK’s best outdoor swimming pools and lidos

Looking for some cooler water this summer? Then an outdoor pool or lido can be a great training option to being stuck indoors. So grab your swimming goggles, swimsuit or jammers and a towel and head to one of these great UK options…

More than just somewhere for tourists to chill out, we have some great outdoor pools in the UK which are perfect for getting some quality training in as well. Many are at least 25-metres if not 50-metres in length, with water that is often cooler and more refreshing than the indoor option.

An outdoor pool can also feel closer to open-water swimming if you don’t have access to the coast or a lake, plus depending on the water temperature they can be a good place to get used to swimming in your wetsuit.

Check the timetable before you visit, as many outdoor pools will have dedicated lane swimming times which mean you won’t be crashing into dippers as you knock out your 100s. Some even have triathlon training sessions with a coach on poolside to offer advice and feedback.

The article below is based upon the results of an extensive study conducted by The AA Breakdown Cover which analysed 164 lidos and outdoor pools for the average monthly Google search volumes (278,000 monthly searches!), average Google review scores, Instagram tags, entry and parking fees, as well as the average maximum temperature and hours of summer sunlight at each location.

I’ve added to the results with my own experience as a regular visitor to UK outdoor swimming pools and lidos though – as some are definitely more triathlete-friendly than others and you can’t beat a bit of real-world experience!

The best outdoor pools and lidos

1. Brockwell Lido, London

Placed at number 1, Brockwell Lido is universally praised for its vibrant atmosphere and is the most tagged lido on Instagram. Reviewers love the spacious sunbathing lawns, Grade II listed café offering healthy snacks and smoothies, frequent summer events like outdoor yoga and sunrise splashes and newly added sauna pod.

This art-deco gem dates back to 1937 and has been restored to preserve its heritage whilst supporting modern comfort, with tiled changing rooms and period-style loungers. Its leafy Brixton Edge Park setting also adds a touch of urban escape.

2. Tooting Bec Lido, London

HW: I’ve done many a long swim here as it’s the UK’s longest outdoor swimming pool at 91-metres, so handy if you need to get some distance in without lots of cheaty tumble turns! A lane swim will cost you just under a tenner and there’s a café, a pavilion building running yoga and pilates classes and cute colourful changing cubicles.

3. Sale Waterpark, Manchester

Placed at number 3, Sale Water Park offers visitors supervised swims in the sheltered freshwater lagoon which can be booked via Open Swim UK. A great family destination, the park also offers water sports like paddleboarding and well-kept grassy banks perfect for picnics and social gatherings. Despite being considered more of a large water-recreation site than a traditional pool, its history as a public amenity from the 1970s — and its continuous improvements — wins steady affection from locals as a clean, green escape in Greater Manchester.

4. London Fields Lido, London

HW: Another good option for triathletes, this is a 50-metre pool with lane swimming available all day every day during the summer (so no need to book your swim at the crack of dawn if you don’t want to!). An adult swim is £6.40 if you’re not a member.

5. Thames Lido, Reading

HW: One of my favourites, the Thames Lido is a classy affair and is a beautiful fully-restored 1902 swimming paths. The pool is just under 25-metres (24.68 to be exact, so you’ll look really speedy if you forget to alter your Garmin!) and there’s a spacious hot tub, sauna and steam room. The accompanying restaurant is worth a visit too, plus there are treatment rooms for a well-earned sports massage. It isn’t cheap here (expect to pay around £25 for a guest swim) but look out for ‘swim and eat’ and spa packages and make a day of it.

6. Hampstead Ponds, London

7. Clevedon Marine Lake, Somerset

Placed at number 7, Clevedon Marine Lake is a historic tidal pool in North Somerset that dates back to 1929. Built to offer a safe saltwater swimming experience away from strong currents, it now attracts wild swimmers, paddle boarders and families.

Providing sweeping estuary views, reviewers consistently praise the lake’s peaceful atmosphere, natural surroundings, and the refreshing open water experience. Many love the accessibility and how well-maintained it is, often calling it a “hidden gem” and a great spot for mindful, nature-connected swims.

8. Hampton Pool, London

9. Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, Kent

10. Guildford Lido, Surrey

11. Tollesbury Wooduo Pool, Essex

12. West Reservoir, London

13. Beccles Lido, Suffolk 

Placed at number 13, Beccles Lido sits on the banks of the River Waveney in Suffolk. Originally opened in 1959 and lovingly restored by the community in 2010, this heated outdoor pool is known for its family-friendly vibe, complete with a slide, separate toddler pool, children’s adventure play and inflatable aqua-run sessions. A unique feature is its riverside location, offering beautiful views and easy access to boating and picnicking nearby. Visitors rave about the friendly staff, cleanliness, vintage charm and great value for families. 

14. Dancing Ledge, Dorset

15. Pools on the Park, London

16. Aldershot Lido, Hampshire

17. Lido Ponty, Wales 

Placed at number 17 is Lido Ponty, located in Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd. This art deco gem first opened in 1927 and was beautifully restored in 2015 as the National Lido of Wales, retaining the outdoor changing booths and entry turnstile. It includes three heated outdoor pools as well as inflatable sessions and water zorbing. At just £3.50 to enter and free for under 16s, visitors frequently praise the affordability, excellent facilities, and welcoming atmosphere, describing it as a “world-class facility” that offers something for all ages.

18. Havre Des Pas Bathing Pool, Jersey

19. Woody Bay Tidal Pool, Devon

20. Serpentine Lido, London

More options to consider

So there you have it – the top 20 outdoor pools and lidos in the UK as decided by data compiled by The AA. However I’ve done an awful lot of open-water swimming over the years and just to give you a bit more choice, here are five more to add to your list that are particular favourites of mine!

• Portishead Open Air Pool, Portishead. It’s 33-metres long and painted garish shades of orange, but there’s a vintage charm about this community-run pool that I love for long swims. Plus they heat it over Christmas and New Year every year too, so you can get an outdoor swim in without freezing (and mulled wine and mince pies to refuel afterwards!).
• Cheltenham Lido, Cheltenham. How this one didn’t make the list I will never know. It’s 50-metres long with lane swimming, a great café and pretty lawns to relax in with your cuppa. They often have a dedicated ‘training lane’ in the lane swimming sessions too, so if you want to go full hand paddles and fins you won’t upset anyone!
• Clifton Lido, Bristol. The sister pool to Thames Lido, this is a little oasis tucked away in a residential area just outside Bristol city centre. Again there’s a restaurant and spa facilities and it’s not cheap, but as a treat once in a while I love it

• Jubilee Pool, Penzance. Another one I’m staggered not to see in the AA listing, the Art Deco Jubilee Pool is the UK’s largest seawater pool. There’s also an attached geothermal pool which is great for a warm dip after a long, cold swim and a great café where you can refuel and check out the classic architecture!
• Hathersage Swimming Pool, Hathersage. Opened in 1936, this superb pool is situated in a small town and an unexpected treat. It’s 30-metres long and an adult swim will cost you £8, more than worth it to enjoy the water and help support this community-run facility.

Essential kit

If you’re planning on training in an outdoor pool or lido this summer, then there is some essential kit to take with you. First up (of course!) you’ll need either a swimsuit or a set of jammers.

The right goggles can make a big difference, too. Since you’ll be outdoors, you could use a set of open-water swimming goggles which will likely have tinted, mirrored and/or polarised lenses to cut glare.

As for more useful kit, a swimming watch can be useful to keep an eye on time and distance swum. Plus for cooler swimming pools and especially going into the cooler months when they may not be heated, a wetsuit is a must!