Once numbering over 57 across Wales, outdoor pools have dwindled to just one operational lido. However, recent developments suggest a potential resurgence in the nation's affection for these historic swimming spots.
Lidos were social hubs where swimming was as much about leisure and display as exercise. Built after World War One to engage returning soldiers, they became community focal points, hosting competitions and shows. Gill Wright, chair of Historic Pools of Britain, noted their expansion between the wars as swimming grew as a leisure activity.
By the 1980s, funding shifted to larger indoor pools, leading to the decline of many lidos. Volunteers struggled to maintain them, and closures followed, such as Brynamman pool in 2010 after a £20,000 repair bill.
Yet, community campaigns have sparked revivals. In 2015, the National Lido of Wales opened in Pontypridd's refurbished Ynysangharad Park lido, closed for 24 years. Funded by European, Welsh Government, and heritage bodies, it attracted nearly 50,000 visitors by late 2015.
Historian Simon Inglis highlighted lidos as places of entertainment and social connection, akin to dance halls. Singer Tom Jones and Channel swimmer Jenny James once swam at Pontypridd lido, underscoring their cultural significance.
While only one lido remains, the success of Pontypridd's revival hints at a renewed appreciation for outdoor swimming in Wales.
