The Lido, Bristol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Lido, Bristol |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Bristol |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°27′32″N 2°36′42″W / 51.45889°N 2.61168°W |
| Completed | c.1850 |
The Lido, Bristol is a really old and special swimming pool in Clifton, Bristol, England. It first opened around 1850. For many years, people enjoyed swimming there.
But by 1990, the pool was in bad shape and had to close. Many thought it would be torn down. Luckily, it was saved! In 1998, it became a Grade II* listed building. This means it's an important historical place that needs to be protected. A company called the Bristol Glass Boat Company bought it. They worked hard to fix it up. The Lido reopened in November 2008, looking better than ever.
A Dip into History
The Lido was built in 1849 and first opened on July 29, 1850. Back then, it was called the Clifton Victoria Baths. The front of the building looks like a classic old building. It used to have special "medicinal baths," offices, and a boiler room.
Behind the main building is a large swimming pool. It's about 250 square meters (2,690 sq ft). The whole area covers about 885 square meters (9,526 sq ft). The main entrance has a cool Egyptian style. Another door was added in 1867 for The Victoria public house, which is a pub next door.
The pool has viewing areas on two sides. These are made of cast iron and have two levels. On the third side, there are rows of changing rooms with wooden fronts. The pool water is heated, which is pretty amazing. It's the oldest heated pool still around in the country!
From Closed to Cool Again
By 1990, the pool was very run down and had to close. People thought it might be knocked down. But on June 12, 1998, the Lido and the pub next to it were given a special Grade II* listed building status. This helped protect them.
In 2005, the Bristol Glass Boat Company bought the Lido. They worked hard to bring it back to life. They added new spa areas with saunas and treatment rooms. They also built a restaurant and a cafe.
The Lido, Bristol, reopened in November 2008. The pool is kept warm at 24°C (75°F). You can also get spa treatments and massages there. People who are members get first choice for using the pool. This means day visitors might not get in when it's very busy.
Gallery
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Exterior
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Pool sideways
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Pool lengthways
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Cafe
