The Ten Best Lidos

2. Jesus Green, Cambridge
Situated by the River Cam, this 90m lido is one of the UK’s longest outdoor pools. The surrounding trees act as a windbreak, making it an idyllic place to cool off on a hot day.
01223 302 579

3. Tinside Lido, Plymouth
Built in 1935 and reopened in 2003 after a £3.4m restoration, the stunning Tinside has the classic Art Deco good looks of a true Thirties lido.
www.plymouth.gov.uk/fdtinsidelido; 0870 300 0042

4. Saltdean Lido, Brighton
Built in 1938, Saltdean Lido was Britain’s first to be granted listed status. Be sure to visit the café, which resembles the bridge of an ocean liner.
www.saltdean.info/lido.htm; 01273 888 308

5. Ilkley Pool & Lido, Bradford
Offering indoor and outdoor pools, Ilkley lido is a top destination whatever the weather. It has 20 metres of shallow water for young children and a 45m stretch for adults.
01943 600 453

6. Parliament Hill Fields, London NW5
Recently refurbished, this lido is situated on the edge of Hampstead Heath. Also nearby are the men’s, women’s and mixed swimming ponds– an au naturel alternative to the lido.
020-7485 3873

7. Stonehaven Open Air Pool, Aberdeenshire
This sea water-filtered pool is a rare heated lido – nearly 30 degrees Celsius– and even hosts organised midnight swims throughout the summer.
www.stonehavenopenairpool.co.uk; 01569 762 134

8. Jubilee Pool, Penzance
Designed to cope with the force of the Cornish seas, the Jubilee pool is a delight to behold, and to swim in. It’s filled tidally by seawater and holds one million gallons.
www.jubileepool.co.uk

9. Guildford Lido, Surrey
Set in nearly five acres of landscaped gardens, this is an Olympic-sized pool that attracts around 90,000 people every year and is heated to 26C.
www.guildfordspectrum.co.uk; 01483 444 888

10. Woburn Lido, Bedfordshire
It’s not often that you can swim with (well, near) the animals, but at this lido you should be able to see elephants on the Woburn Estate. One of the oldest lidos open open to the public.
01525 290 168