The Lido, Bristol () is an historic

lido Lido may refer to: Geography Africa * Lido, a district in the city of Fez, Morocco Asia * Lido, an area in Chaoyang District, Beijing * Lido, a cinema theater in Siam Square shopping area in Bangkok * Lido City, a resort in West Java owned by MN ...

situated in Oakfield Place in the

Whiteladies Road Whiteladies Road is a main road in Bristol, England. It runs north from the Victoria Rooms to Durdham Down, and separates Clifton on the west side from Redland and Cotham on the east. It forms part of the A4018. Significant buildings on W ...

area of Clifton,

Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

. Originally opened in approximately 1850, the pool eventually fell into disrepair and was closed in 1990. Despite being considered for demolition, the building was given Grade II*

listed building In the United Kingdom, a listed building or listed structure is one that has been placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Historic Environment Scotland in Scotland, in Wales, and the Northern Irel ...

status in 1998. It was purchased by the Bristol Glass Boat Company who restored the pool, for its reopening in November 2008.

History

The Lido was originally built in 1849 and opened on 29 July 1850 under the name Clifton Victoria Baths. The building frontage is in a classical style, originally housing the medicinal baths, offices and the boiler room. Behind the main building is a rectangular swimming pool., with the entire site covering a total of . The central doorway is in an Egyptian style, with an additional doorway added in 1867 for The Victoria

public house A pub (short for public house) is a kind of drinking establishment which is licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises. The term ''public house'' first appeared in the United Kingdom in late 17th century, and wa ...

, which occupies part of the site. The pool has galleries on two sides, built in cast iron over two floors. On the third side there is a row of cubicles, canopied and with wooden panelled fronts. The pool itself is heated, the oldest surviving heated pool in the country.

Closure and restoration

The pool had fallen into significant disrepair by 1990 when it was closed to the public, and was considered for demolition. However, the Lido and accompanying public house were designated Grade II*

status on 12 June 1998 and is set in a Conservation Area. In 2005 it was acquired by the Bristol Glass Boat Company, who restored the pool with the addition of substantial spa facilities with saunas and other treatment rooms and built a restaurant and café. It reopened in November 2008 as The Lido, Bristol. The pool is kept at 24 °C, and the building offers spa treatments and massages. Priority is given to members, meaning day visitors are turned away at busy times.

Gallery

File:Clifton Lido - exterior.jpg , Exterior File:Clifton Lido - poolside.jpg , Pool sideways File:Clifton Lido - pool.jpg , Pool lengthways File:Clifton Lido - cafe.jpg , Cafe

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Lido, Bristol, The Swimming venues in England Grade II* listed buildings in Bristol Commercial buildings completed in 1850

Clifton Lido The Lido, Bristol () is an historic lido situated in Oakfield Place in the Whiteladies Road area of Clifton, Bristol, England. Originally opened in approximately 1850, the pool eventually fell into disrepair and was closed in 1990. Despite being ...

Clifton, Bristol