Parliament Hill Lido facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parliament Hill Lido |
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| 51°33′23″N 0°09′05″W / 51.556359°N 0.151379°W | |
| Address | Parliament Hill Fields Gordon House Road |
| Postcode | NW5 1LP |
| Opened | 1938 |
| Operated by | Corporation of London |
| Status | Grade II listed |
| Length | 61 metres (200 ft) |
| Width | 27.4 metres (90 ft) |
| Depth | 1 metre (3.3 ft) − 2 metres (6.6 ft) |
| Features | |
| stainless steel lining, fountain | |
Parliament Hill Lido is a popular outdoor swimming pool in north London. It's located in Parliament Hill Fields, near Hampstead Heath and Gospel Oak railway station. This lido, which is another name for an outdoor pool, is special because it's open all year round, even in winter! It first welcomed swimmers in 1938.
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About Parliament Hill Lido
This large outdoor pool is about 61 meters (200 feet) long and 27 meters (90 feet) wide. It's not heated, so the water can be quite cool! The Corporation of London owns and manages the lido, just like they manage all of Hampstead Heath.
When Can You Swim?
The lido has different opening times depending on the season. During the summer, from mid-May to mid-September, it's open for longer hours.
From September to April, it's open only in the mornings, usually from 7 AM to 12 PM. Parliament Hill Lido is one of only three unheated outdoor pools in London that are open for winter swimming. The other two are Brockwell Lido and Tooting Bec Lido.
Nearby Swimming Spots
If you enjoy swimming outdoors, the Highgate Ponds are also a short walk away from the lido.
There's a group for people who love to swim at the lido and the ponds. It's called the United Swimmers' Association of Hampstead Heath.
History of the Lido
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Parliament Hill Lido first opened its doors on 20 August 1938. It was designed by Harry Rowbotham and TL Smithson from the London County Council Parks Department. The design is very similar to other lidos built around the same time, like Victoria Park Lido and Brockwell Park Lido. When it first opened, it had a diving stage, slides, a café, and areas for sunbathing.
Building the Lido
Building the lido cost about £34,000. This was a lot of money back then! It was the most expensive of the 13 lidos built by the London County Council between 1920 and 1939.
Safety and Changes
Over the years, the lido has had some changes to make it safer. After an incident in 1976, more safety measures were put in place, and staff numbers were increased. Most of the diving facilities were removed at that time. The very last diving board was taken away in 2003.
Since the late 1980s, the lido has been updated with things like hot showers, places to park bikes, a small paddling pool for younger children, and CCTV cameras for security.
Who Owns the Lido?
The lido's ownership has changed a few times. It was first owned by the London County Council. Then, in 1986, it was passed to the London Residuary Body. Finally, in 1989, the Corporation of London took over its ownership, and they still run it today.
Special Status
In January 1999, Parliament Hill Lido was given a special status called "Grade II Listed." This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.
Modern Updates
In 2003, about 49,000 people visited the lido. In 2005, a small entry fee of £2 was introduced for morning swims, which used to be free. That same year, the pool got a new stainless steel lining. This was the first time an outdoor pool in Britain had this kind of lining!
