Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool to stay open this autumn

Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool is extending into autumn, opening five days a week from Wednesday, September 23 to November 1.

The pool - reportedly the second oldest-surviving lido in the UK - will also see the trial launch of a new sauna and cold-water experience during its six-week autumn season.

This will give swimmers the chance to warm up, cool down and relax alongside their usual swim and has reportedly proved popular at other outdoor pools around the country.

Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool’s core offering of lane and general swimming sessions will continue as usual throughout the autumn.

Masters swimming, inclusive sessions and private pool-hire will also be offered at the facility, located in Riverside Walk between Thomas Street and Barton Lane.

“I’m delighted we’re not only able to keep offering our usual swimming sessions to the community, but introduce something new too,” pool manager Ian said.

“Masters Swimming will be a coached fitness session for anyone wanting to improve their stroke and get fit, and our new sauna and cold-water experience offers hot and cold like no other, alongside our warm, 26-degree swimming pool as usual.”

Built in 1869 and first opened to the public in 1870, Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool is now more than 155 years old.

Originally run by the local council, the pool was handed over to the community in the mid-1970s and has been run by volunteers as a registered charity ever since.

In recognition of that work, the pool has received The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest civic honour available to volunteer groups in the UK.

As outdoor, weather-dependent facilities, lidos are reportedly financially vulnerable, with a poor summer able to substantially reduce attendance and income.

Many lidos across the country have reportedly closed permanently over the decades as a result.

Nearby, Stratford Park Lido in Stroud has faced its own well-documented struggles to remain open and viable in recent years.

Against this backdrop, Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool's committee said it is vital for pools like theirs to keep adapting and diversifying to secure their financial future and to protect them as long-term community assets.

The announcement from Cirencester’s outdoor pool comes as lidos and open-air pools gain renewed attention in Westminster.

In Parliament this week, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told MPs that lidos are a ‘personal passion’ of hers and that reversing years of neglect of these assets is a Government priority.

A further announcement on lido funding is expected shortly.

A question was raised by Stroud MP Simon Opher, who has been campaigning for a national lido fund alongside other MPs including Peterborough's Andrew Pakes.

Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool is part of Future Lidos, a network of lido leaders across the country who campaign jointly for funding, preservation and operational support and who are encouraging MPs across the country to back the calls for investment.

Pool organisers said the Parliamentary recognition is a welcome first step and hope it will be followed by sustained, larger-scale investment that would reportedly let more communities benefit from the advantages of lidos.