A luxury lido has opened in Croydon catering to south Londoners trying to disconnect from the bustle of city life.
Tucked away in the gardens of the plush Birch Hotel, the 25-metre outdoor heated pool is adorned with red parasols and looks like the perfect summer oasis.
Reserved for adults at certain times, the lido in Selsdon boasts an art deco design inspired by the 1930s lido culture. Offering a mix of cocktails and nibbles as well as a poolside DJ, the Birch lido appears marketed toward those looking for a chilled afternoon of aperitifs.
Although the lido is open to Birch Hotel guests and paying members, the catch is that it comes with an eye-watering price tag. Adding to the exclusivity of the new location, those wanting to use the pool will need a monthly membership to the Birch Hotel that will cost £450 during the first month. This forms part of a 12-month subscription.
For people over 30, the monthly membership costs £150 and also requires a £300 one-off fee. Those under 30 can pay £90, as well as a £170 one-off joining fee. Couples must shell out £280 a month plus a £500 one-off fee.
Marketed as a place to “go slow, go wild, and go forward”, the Birch Hotel spans a 200-acre location in Selsdon, south London. It comes with 181 rooms, six event spaces and a community working hub. There are also three bars and two restaurants, as well as gym and wellness facilities.
Encouraged as a space to completely switch off, Birch (Selsdon) also encourages visitors to ditch their phones and appreciate the moment. Writing in its terms and conditions: “By all means take photos around Birch (Selsdon) but, before you do, think about why you’re taking one. If it’s to steal our style, then we are not surprised. If it’s to remember a moment, then pause. Put your phone down. Savour the moment. You’ll be creating a long-term memory. Not a short-term photo. We do not have a social media ban at our property. However, as a more general note on phones and technology … Life is better experienced with our heads up.
Birch and its new lido give off a rustic yet exclusive feel. The team behind this venue will host monthly pool parties and offer loungers a selection of poolside drinks and bites. A DJ will also be on site.
Opening times are 9am to 7pm between Sunday and Thursday, and 9m to 9pm on Friday and Saturday. Children will only be permitted at the lido from 10am till close from Sunday to Wednesday, and between 10am and 3pm on Thursday to Saturday.
