Artist’s impression of Albert Avenue lido in Hull
Photo credit: Hodson Architects
Emma Pusill is the co-author of The Lido Guide, a celebration of all publicly accessible open-air pools in the UK and Channel Islands
A As this issue of Outdoor Swimmer lands on your doormats, lidos will be amongst the first leisure facilities allowed to reopen in England after what has felt like an interminable year of cyclical lockdowns. But it’s not just swimmers who are increasingly interested in these glorious, diverse places. There is increased coverage in the mainstream media and a growing awareness that lidos aren’t just indoor pools without a roof. They are unique, special and contribute so much to society, in so many different ways: