When the sun’s rays start to beam down a little stronger at this time of year (not that we’ve seen it with any consistency this year), the only logical thing to do is to get your swimmers out and dive into an outdoor body of water. Now in many places—places by the sea or clean lakes—this would mean enjoying what nature gave us, but in London, this is a little more restricted, which is where the lidos around the capital really come into their own.
We’ve got a faithful set of them, from the newly rejuvenated Tooting Bec lido to the packed-out numbers in Brockwell Park and London Fields, but there hasn’t been a new public one built in decades. That is, until the brand new Lido in Valentines Park opens next year.
Plans for the Lido in Ilford were announced last year, and were yesterday (June 5) greenlit by Redbridge Council. Upon the initial announcement in April last year, Redbridge Council leader Jas Athwal said the hope was to have the new facilities open by late summer in 2024, but now it is estimated that Valentines Park lido will open in Autumn 2025.
It comes as an £11m project to redevelop the leisure facilities, which, on top of the 25-metre lido, will include a car park, splash pad, dance studio, cafe, gym, and picnic area. It also marks a complete resurrection of the old Valentines Lido which opened all the way back in 1924, but was demolished around two decades ago.
Speaking on the opening, Mark Baigent, who is Redbridge Council’s corporate director of regeneration and culture, said: “We’re delighted we can now move forward with plans to deliver the first new Lido in London for decades.
“The old Lido in Valentines Park holds a special place in the hearts of local people. It is where families enjoyed idyllic summer days right on their doorsteps and it is so exciting that after nearly 30 years, a brand new lido and more will be introduced in the park for people to visit and create new special memories.
London’s newest lido will arrive at Valentines Park in Ilford, and is expected to be open to the public by Autumn next year.