Marbury Park Swimming Club in Northwich, Cheshire, offers a magnificent open-air pool that harks back to the golden age of lidos. Located just 40 minutes down the M56 from Manchester, this tranquil outdoor escape is set within the scenic grounds of Marbury Country Park, surrounded by woodland that screens and shelters swimmers, creating a peaceful retreat.
Facilities and Membership Details
The unheated pool includes two diving boards — a springboard and a platform board. There is also a children's paddling pool and a small play area on site. Several picnic tables are dotted around the grounds, with ample space for picnic blankets, making it perfectly suited for a full day out. A small shop at the entrance sells drinks and snacks for visitors.
The pool operates on a membership basis; however, non-member days are available, with seven dates scheduled throughout 2026. In the wake of the recent heatwave, numerous people from well beyond Northwich have been showcasing the "hidden pool" on social media, with one visitor describing it as "perfect for this sun."
Visitor Experiences
One woman who recently took a dip at the pool, Rebecca, said: "Hidden away in Cheshire is an outdoor swimming pool... I love finding little places like this that have been here for years but somehow still feel like a secret. It just proves you don't always have to jump on a plane to find somewhere different. Sometimes the best places are right on your doorstep. Have you been here before, or have I just unlocked a new place for your summer list?"
One person replied: "Yes it's been there years used to live visiting Marbury park with this hidden treasure. Used to be able to go in on non members day for a charge." A second said: "Spent all summer of my childhood here, biking over the fields to spend the day at the pool. rain or shine. My Mum would pack us a picnic and not see us again till teatime! Now I take my kids here, we've had a membership the past two years. Enjoy."
History of the 1930s Lido
Initially constructed for members of Marbury Hall Country Club during the 1930s, the pool remained under ICI ownership for decades, reserved exclusively for their workforce. From the early 1970s onwards, the pool has been managed by Marbury Park Swimming Club, a volunteer-led members' organisation dedicated to preserving this leisure amenity and treasured piece of local heritage for the community's enjoyment.
