East London town with ‘little going on’ to get capital’s first new lido in decades

Grab your trunks and bathing suits, because for the first time in decades a brand new lido is set to open in London.

The thought of outdoor swimming might feel very 2020, but there are still large communities who benefit from lidos – especially in the city.

Yes, Brighton, Southend and other seaside towns are just a short train ride from London, but there’s no denying the convenience of having a local pool – there are also studies that suggest being close to a body of water has positive impacts on our mental health.

So for the city’s swimmers, news that Redbridge Council’s planning committee has approved plans for a brand new lido will no doubt be a cause for celebration.

The outdoor pool, which will be based in Valentines Park in Ilford, east London, is slated to open in autumn 2025, with construction commencing later this year.

And it’s not just a new six-lane pool that’s being built; the Valentines Park lido will also have a children’s splash pad, a dance studio and a gym. An entrance fee hasn’t been decided yet.

The area around Valentines Park has a mix of shops and independent restaurants. There’s also a high street and a market.

For the most part, it’s very suburban – with people on Reddit describing it as ‘quiet’ and a place with ‘very little going on’. But at least it’s now on the Elizabeth line, eh?

There was once an outdoor pool at the award-winning Valentines Park that closed in 1995, decades after its grand opening in 1923. The park, which has been voted top 10 in the country in the People’s Choice Award on five occasions, still currently offers serene views of the boating lake.

Visitors of all ages looking for some peace and quiet can feed the ducks and geese, and enjoy the views. Sadly, at the moment, they are unable to dive in for a swim themselves though.

Although a number of London lidos have reopened after being refurbished in recent years, it’s rare for new outdoor pools to be constructed.

Charlton Lido, in southeast London, reopened in 2013 after closing in 1989. By defining lidos as ‘outdoor swimming pools’, it is often believed to be the youngest in the capital after its original opening in 1939.

However, Pools in the Park in Richmond, which was named one of the best lidos in London by Time Out, finished construction and opened 58 years ago in 1966, thus making it the youngest.

Lido fanatics are over the moon about the new development in east London. ‘I’m so excited to see that the development of Valentins Park has moved forward,’ says Jem Collins, who runs the website All The Lidos, which tracks every lido in the UK.

‘It will be my new local, but also it will be vital in helping more people to experience the joy of swimming outdoors,’ she tells Metro.co.uk

But despite their popularity, some lidos have closed in the capital, like the Finchley Lido Leisure Centre so the building, which opened in 1931. The building, which is at the centre of the local community, will be redeveloped and new homes will also pop up alongside it.

‘We’ve lost hundreds of lidos over the past decades, so it’s really heartening to see a council investing in something which has so many proven benefits to both mental and physical health,’ Jem tells Metro.co.uk.

‘So many of these pools were built by and for communities, so it’s important in 2024 we make them as inclusive and accessible as we can – not just a middle-class pursuit.’

Mark Baigent, corporate director of Regeneration and Culture for the area, said: ‘We’re delighted we can now move forward with plans to deliver the first new lido in London for decades.

‘As a council, we will continue to invest in leisure facilities so local families and visitors can access everything they need right on our doorstep.’