The Lido is one of Cheltenham’s most popular places to spend time with the family.

The main heated pool is huge (Olympic size), and is the UK’s largest outdoor pool. There's lots to do including family swim sessions, lane swimming, classes and the inflatable!

For younger guests, there is a warmer, smaller, shallow children’s pool with slide and grass around to pitch up with a picnic rug in the sun. The perfect area to spend some family time and introduce little ones to water.

Pre-booking is not necessary but a good idea if you want to guarantee your entry, especially on sunny days!

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Lido Events

There are regular non-swimming events held at Sandford Parks Lido throughout the season. The annual Dog Swim takes place every October and there are also events such as outdoor cinema, theatre productions and a midnight swim!

The Sandford Parks lido opened in May 1935 and was popular as the biggest pool in the West Midlands and one of the only heated outdoor pools in the UK - yes it was heated even back then!

After a year of popularity, even after the opening of Cheltenham’s indoor pool in the seventies, the Lido received funds to secure its future from local donations and lottery funding:

In 2006, Sandford Parks Lido secured funding for the refurbishment of the main pool. £250,000 was raised from direct donations (Buy us a pint appeal), £50,000 from Gloucestershire Environmental Trust with Landfill Tax contributions from Cory Environmental Ltd and £382,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. “Sandford Parks Lido contributes significantly to Cheltenham’s central conservation area and is nationally important.” – taken from the Heritage Lottery statement.

Nerys Watts, Heritage Lottery Fund Manager in the South West commented; ‘Historic outdoor pools are like gold dust and Sandford Parks Lido is a real gem. Whether you’re cooling off in the summer sun, taking the kids for their first swimming lessons or just enjoying the history of the site, the restored Lido will benefit everyone in Cheltenham and beyond.’

The Lido has recently announced that a new 35 year lease agreement has been signed between Cheltenham Borough Council and the charity that operates the site. Following several years of uncertainty they can now continue with long-term plans for our treasured Lido.