UK town opens huge 50m outdoor pool and families can use it for just £5

After closing in November 2024 for a multi-million pound makeover, a treasured lido has finally reopened. Just in time for the summer season, this newly refurbished lido features an Olympic-size pool and brand-new facilities and features perfect for local families.

After a winter of refurbishment, Guildford Lido reopened on April 26, 2025 for the summer season. At 8:00am BST, Guildford Mayor Sallie Barker MBE declared the lido open by cutting a ribbon and jumping into the pool - reviving an old tradition. The lido features a 50-metre heated outdoor pool, three water slides, a mini-golf course, and a paddling pool. As part of the renovation, new changing facilities were added and the existing café was upgraded.

The renovation also included some energy-saving initiatives, including the fitting of new condensed boilers to reduce emissions. A spokesperson for the lido operator, Freedom Leisure, shared: “Freedom Leisure is committed to offering an exceptional experience to its visitors while promoting environmental responsibility.”

The spokesperson continued: "The new boilers are just one part of a broader plan to maintain and upgrade the facility, ensuring it continues to serve the community for many more years to come." Freedom Leisure has also shared that the reopening comes with some improvements to the schedule.

For the summer season, extra evening lane swimming sessions have been added to the timetable for Wednesdays and Fridays. The pool will be open seven days a week from 06:30 to 20:30 on weekdays and 08:00 to 18:30 for general use on weekends. The pool is also available for private hire until 20:30.

A general swim session will cost £5.57. Alternatively, locals can opt for a Concession Season Ticket (£115) or an Adult Season Ticket (£210), both of which expire when the season ends on September 14, 2025.

For locals that plan to spend the summer at the lido with their entire family, it may be smart to opt for the Family Season Ticket. The tickets accommodates swimming for up to four people, with a maximum of two adults at a total cost of £465 for the entire season.

Speaking to SurreyLive, the lido's new site manager Finley Broekhuizen, said the site was a 'bit of a mess' before prior to opening but there is much to be excited about. "In terms of new things for this year, we've got a new stretch class that's going be taking place by the pool, starting mid May, so it's going to run directly after our aerobics class. I'm still working on logistics now." Broekhuizen continued: "Then from June, we also hope to implement some one to one swimming lessons. They would be ad hoc based and people would just be able to book in a reception.”

Guildford Lido is one of the area’s most beloved fixtures. Located next to Guildford College and just a minute from the A3, this is one of the country’s few remaining original 1930’s pools.

According to Surrey’s official website, Guildford Lido attracts 60,000 visitors on average each season. It is also a major hub for competitions, socials, clubs and a host of other community-centred activities.

A statement from the local council shared last year indicated that it might consider adding winter swimming at Guildford Lido when the contract to run the facility comes up for renewal in October 2025. After confirming the lido would reopen in 2025, the council shared: “The current contract with Freedom Leisure ends in October 2025. We are currently preparing the tender documents for the procurement of a new contract.

"The Friends of Guildford Lido group have been asked for their ideas to allow them to be evaluated as part of the tender process for the new contract which will no doubt include winter swimming or an extended season,” promised the council.

Last year locals advocated strongly to keep the lido open year-round, starting a petition that garnered almost 1,400 signatures. Year-round swimming had been the norm at Guildford Lido since 2014, but ended during the COVID-19 pandemic.