The UK is in the grip of a heatwave, with temperatures reaching 30.1°C in Hurn, Dorset on Monday, marking the ninth consecutive day that 30°C has been exceeded somewhere in the country. High 20s are forecast for the next ten days.
So far in 2026, there have been 24 days when 30°C has been exceeded in the UK — seven in May, eight in June and nine in July. This equals the number of 30°C-plus days recorded in 1976, a year remembered for its heatwave and drought conditions.
Lido Numbers: Then and Now
At their peak in the late 1930s, Britain had over 300 active public outdoor pools, including 11 in Liverpool and 68 in London alone. By the 1970s, rising energy costs and a policy shift toward indoor pools led to many lidos being closed or demolished.
By the turn of the millennium, only around 130 public outdoor pools remained, mostly in the south of England, according to WR-AP. Today, estimates vary: one count suggests England currently has 127 lidos still open, while another puts the figure at over 160, depending on whether public, private, lido or tidal pools are included.
Revival and New Openings
While much lower than the 1930s heyday, the number of lidos is now growing again. Over 30 lido schemes have emerged since 2021, driven partly by the Future Lidos Group and lottery heritage funding. Most new pools are restorations of old sites, though some are genuinely new builds.
Notable recent projects include a new 50-metre outdoor pool that opened in Brighton in 2023, and a council-funded restoration project under way in Hull. Historic revivals include Hampton Pool, which reopened in 1985, Cheltenham Lido in 1996, and more recent projects like Saltdean Lido in East Sussex and Tooting Bec Lido in south London.
To help you find your nearest lido, a map of all UK lidos has been compiled, making it easy to locate a perfect spot for a swim during the heatwave.
