As a heatwave fast approaches, we’re looking to the best places near the capital for a dip. All these pools and lidos are within an hour of London, perfect for a mini escape. Just like being on holiday (nearly).
Great Fosters Hotel and Spa, Egham, Surrey
As we explored the 50 acres of landscaped gardens of the former Jacobean manor house, we opened an unassuming wooden gate that revealed six steps leading up to a 1920s Art Deco pool. We thought we had discovered Frances Hodgson Burnett’s secret swimming pool to match her secret garden. Recently refurbished, the heated pool is 20m by 10m and open from May to September for a relaxed dip.
Stylish sun loungers and parasols adorn the poolside and the excellent ‘Day by the Pool’ deal included a reserved lounger, a tote bag of goodies, lunch and a glass of bubbly. We had great sushi and a delicious salad. A small bar serves drinks and a pool menu and the staff were friendly and attentive. After lunch, we took a stroll around the extensive gardens, which include a number of sculptures. A highlight was the ‘Drake sundial’, which historians suggest may have been donated by Sir Francis Drake and which is believed to date back to 1585.
Price: £119 for the ‘day by the pool’ package, including lunch
Address: Great Fosters, Stroude Road, Egham, TW20 9UR
Website: alexanderhotels.co.uk/great-fosters
South Lodge Hotel, Horsham, West Sussex
Wild swimming meets luxury at this elegant Jacobean hotel and spa set in 90 acres of rolling countryside overlooking the Sussex downs. The spa at South Lodge has been built into the contours of the land surrounding the hotel. We lowered ourselves unhurriedly into the outdoor wild pool and, from our frog’s-eye view, watched bees and dragonflies as they dipped and flipped over the wildflowers and rushes that flank the pool. The pool is surrounded by wooden decking, wicker sun loungers and white parasols. A watershed poolside snack bar serves coffee, spirits and cocktails. Relax and warm up in the outdoor vitality pool while being hydro-massaged as you gaze out over the landscaped gardens. There’s ample space in the indoor infinity pool for a long swim; the only issue is you’ll want to stop and look at the view over the hotel grounds. Sweat it all out in the sea-salt steam room and sauna. Our top tip: ten minutes in the sauna followed by a few lengths of the pond to get your skin tingling. Finish it all off with a final 20 minutes in the hydrotherapy pool. Complete your day with a delicious meal in the Botanica Restaurant, which features a wide array of meat, fish and plant-based dishes. You can also enjoy long walks around the extensive hotel grounds.
Price: Full spa day access including £40 towards lunch, gym access, indoor and wild swimming pool, £255
Address: Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Crabtree, Horsham, RH13 6PS
Website: exclusive.co.uk/south-lodge
Jesus Green Lido, Cambridge
Jesus Green is long and narrow, with a 91.4m length (or 100 yards in old money). There is no shallow end. We arrived early one evening towards the end of August and found three decently sized lanes dappled by the descending sun. The water is unheated but there is a cylindrical wooden sauna and hot showers sited in round, striped buildings resembling medieval jousting tents (this is Cambridge after all). Poolside lockers and wooden, open-air changing cubicles complete the look. The poolside Basket Room Café serves drinks and snacks to keep you on the move. For users with disabilities, there are a poolside hoist, accessible toilet and changing area. In 2021, the season was extended to October and there are plans to open all year round. The lido sits between the River Cam and Jesus Green. If you like it wilder, head upstream to Grantchester Meadows.
Price: Small fee
Address: Jesus Green Lido, Chesterton Road, Cambridge, CB4 3AX
Website: better.org.uk/leisure-centre/cambridge/jesusgreenlido
King’s Oak Hotel, Loughton
Stylish 1930s unheated pool with curved corners and jazzy fountain, all set against the backdrop of Epping Forest. Three heated beach cabana pods complete the retro look. Sip champagne and cocktails or dine between dips at the ‘Beach Club’, which promises ‘Marbella-Inspired Poolside Chilling’. We completed a leisurely swim just as the party-dressed guests began to arrive for a joint bar mitzvah. The adjoining pub sells good food. The Oyster Shack and Seafood Bar does what its name suggests, while a stall outside sells hot and cold drinks and made-to-order takeaway food. Epping Forest is perfect for walkers and family days out. King’s Oak is primarily an events venue where you can book your weddings, birthdays and other events. In the summer, the pool is open to the public when available, so please check in advance.
Price: Adults £25 for the day, Children £15
Address: King’s Oak Hotel, Paul’s Nursery Road, High Beach, Essex, IG10 4AE
Website: kingsoakhotel.com
Eversholt Swimming Pool
A beautiful, heated open-air pool in a lovely village setting. A outdoor pool built on behalf of the Duke of Bedford, apparently to teach his workers to swim after a number of drownings in his lakes. It’s a seasonal heated pool measuring 20m by 6m,with a shallow, semi-circular pool for toddlers. The lido is surrounded by arched windows overlooking the adjacent cricket pitch. There are morning lane-swimming and family sessions during the day, and a friendly, local vibe. A café with outdoor tables and chairs overlooks the shallow end and offers drinks, snacks and ice creams. Clean changing rooms and hot showers are available. The pool is managed by a charity and run mainly by volunteers. Currently open May to September but check the Facebook page for information. A poolside hoist is available for users with disabilities
Price:Small fee
Address: Eversholt Swimming Pool, Eversholt Recreation Grounds, Milton Keynes, MK17 9DL
Website: facebook.com/eversholtpoolHitchin Lido
Hitchin Lido is simply heavenly. This well-maintained, 50m heated pool is a classic example of Thirties lido architecture — brick-built with green, glazed tile roofs, fine fountain and rose pergola. It also has a small children’s paddling pool. There are narrow steps and a handrail into the water at the shallow end. Accessible changing rooms and toilets are available. Hitchin Lido is surrounded by a sunbathing terrace. In the adjoining complex you will find an all-year indoor pool, gym, studios and café.
Price: Small fee
Address: Hitchin Swimming Centre, Fishponds Road, Hitchin, SG5 1HA
Website: sll.co.uk/hitchin
Guildford Lido, Surrey
Grandiose and gorgeous. A classic example of 1930s lido architecture. The magnificent six-lane 50m heated pool is set in landscaped grounds surrounded by weeping willows and pine trees. There’s plenty of grass to stretch out on.The clear blue water sparkles in the Surrey sunshine. This is outdoor swimming at its absolute finest. The pool is deep in the middle and shallow at either end. There are steps with handrails and a hoist available for swimmers with disabilities. There is level access to the pool and there are accessible changing rooms and toilets.We enjoyed slow lengths in the wide lanes. A toddler pool has activity installations to keep the smaller people entertained; big, twisting water slides will keep the biggerkids hooked for hours. Expect a relaxed local atmosphere with friendly and helpful staff. Wooden poolside lockers, changing rooms and showers add to the vintage charm.A small kiosk serves hot and cold drinks and snacks and a larger outlet selling Mexican food is open on busy days. Guildford Lido launched winter swimming at the end of the 2021 summer season (check website for details).At nearby Dapdune Wharf, we visited the riverside tearooms, bookshop and canal museum.
Price: Small fee
Address: Guildford Lido, Stoke Road, Guildford, GU1 1HB
Website: freedom-leisure.co.uk
Ware Priory lido
This well-loved community lido opened in 1934. Set within parklands along the River Lea, the 30m heated pool and adjacent teaching pool are flanked by grassy banks where you can stretch out. Loungers are also available for a small fee. A refreshment kiosk sells hot and cold food, drinks, confectionery and ice creams. The lido is open from May to September and entry is down steps at either end of the pool. Indoor changing rooms, toilets and showers, as well as poolside showers, are available.
Price: Small fee
Address: Ware Priory Lido, Priory Street, Ware, SG12 0D
Website: warepriorylido.co.uk
Tonbridge Swimming Pool
A heated seasonal fun pool aimed at families and children, with a water arch, beach area and swim-through channel to the indoor pools. The grassy sunbathing area boasts round wooden picnic tables and benches. Tonbridge Swimming Pool was built on the site of England’s first outdoor heated pool, which opened in 1910. Great controversy was caused in the Twenties when the swimming club requested permission for men and women to be allowed to swim together on Sunday mornings. Accessible changing and toilet facilities are available and the indoor pool has a hydraulic hoist for people with disabilities. A café serves snacks and a limited food menu inside the main building.
Price: Small fee
Address: Tonbridge Swimming Pool, Castle Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1HR
Website: tmactive.co.uk/locations/tonbridge-pool
