Portsmouth’s historic lido set to reopen after major revamp - and it’s just in time for summer
The 90-year-old lido will reopen to the public for the first time in four years on 2 May
Hollif
A freshwater lido that shut down to swimmers four years ago is finally reopening after a £7.6m revamp.
Portsmouth’s Hilsea Lido has been a staple on the southern coastline since 1935, but it closed down in 2022 with plans to restore it to its former glory.
The Art Deco lido was once one of Britain’s deepest outdoor pools when it reached an impressive 4.6m depth (now it is still a generous 2.6m) and is recognisable from scenes in the 1975 feature film Tommy based on The Who’s rock opera album of the same name.
After four years, Portsmouth City Council has announced that swimmers will be allowed to return to Hilsea Lido on 2 May 2026.
Alongside the unheated pool reopening just in time for summer, Hilsea Lido will now also include a new sauna and pop-up food and drink offerings.
The council said that visitors can look forward to family activities at the pool, as well as new recovery zones and social spaces.
Hillsea Lido has an exclusive offer for the first 500 people who become members before it opens, including unlimited swimming and sauna use.
This membership is £40 per month on a 12-month contract with no joining fee. Other memberships will include swim and sauna from £48 a month or swim-only for £32 a month.
Visitors will also be able to pay per swim or sauna session, which are priced at £8 each.
As part of the refurbishment, outdated pool equipment has been removed and replaced with a brand-new, modern filtration system.
The pool base and the walls have been stabilised with over 80 tonnes of steel and 30 lorry-loads of concrete. The original shallow lagoons have also been restored.
New toilet and shower units have been installed, including a fully accessible Changing Places toilet.
One historic part of the lido, the spectator stand at the north of the site, was removed after it was deemed unsafe.
The lido will be run by Sea Lanes Brighton in partnership with South Downs Leisure, which are both recruiting for nearly 30 new roles ahead of the reopening.
Judit Kollat, General Manager at Hilsea Lido, said: “The work that Portsmouth City Council has done to refurbish Hilsea Lido has enabled us to regenerate it. It is more than a pool, it’s a place with history and heart.
“We aim to create a vibrant hub for the local community, a centre for both mental and physical wellbeing. The Lido will offer something for everyone.”
Read more: A new lido could transform this Kent seaside town’s marina
