On the rare occasions that the weather in London decides to cooperate, you really only have two logical options to choose from. You can slap on the sun cream and hotfoot it to your nearest pub garden. Or you can dig out your swimming cozzie and find yourself an al-fresco pool to dive into. Now, if you’re more interested in the former – we certainly wouldn’t blame you. In fact, we’d be more than happy to point you in the dreamy direction of some of the best beer gardens in the city. But if it’s the latter that you’re after, you’ve come to the right place – because we’ve discovered a rather lovely lido, just outside of London, that’ll make for a pretty perfect summery day trip this sunny season.
Guildford Lido
Having swung open its doors back in 1933; Guildford Lido is one of the UK’s few remaining legendary lidos dating back to the golden age of outdoor pools. Located in – you guessed it, folks – Guildford; this epic open-air swimming pool is set amongst a beautiful backdrop of four acres of landscaped gardens. And it’s the perfect spot to swim, splash, slide, and socialise all year round.
The lido boasts a pretty swim-pressive Olympic-sized swimming pool, which is heated to a balmy 24°C. It’s a great place to swim, splash, and soak up the sun. But if you fancy something a little more adventurous – fear not. Guildford Lido is also home to three water slides, each varying in speed and scariness. So, whether you’re a certified thrill-seeker or a more relaxed slider; one of them is sure to float your boat lilo.
Little ones need not miss out on the fun, either. There’s a paddling pool for under 9 year-olds, and it’s filled to the brim with sensory water features and mini slides. There’s also some picture-perfect picnic spots, a fun-filled play area, and a kiosk on-hand for post-swim refueling and rehydrating.
Getting to Guildford Lido from London
Guildford Lido is approximately a 60-90 minute drive from London, and there’s parking available when you get there – both on-site and nearby. Non-drivers can hop on a direct and speedy service from London Waterloo to Guildford. From there, you can either opt for a 25 minute walk, take a local bus, or jump on an onwards train to London Road (Guildford), which is the closest station to the lido.
You can find out more and plan your visit to Guildford Lido here.
