The Lido, Bristol

Situated in the Clifton area of Oakfield Place, the Lido holds a significant place in history. Originally established around 1850, this iconic pool gradually fell into disrepair and eventually ceased operations in 1990. Despite facing the possibility of demolition, the building was granted Grade II* listed status in 1998, preserving its architectural value. The Bristol Glass Boat Company stepped in and acquired the Lido, undertaking extensive restoration work to prepare for its grand reopening in November 2008.

Originally constructed in 1849, the Lido first welcomed visitors on 29th July 1850 under the name Clifton Victoria Baths. The building boasts a classical-style frontage that initially housed medicinal baths, offices, and a boiler room. Adjacent to the main structure lies a rectangular swimming pool spanning an area of 250 square meters, with the entire site covering a total of 885 square meters.

The central entrance showcases an Egyptian-inspired design, complemented by an additional doorway added in 1867 to accommodate The Victoria public house, which now occupies part of the site. On two sides of the pool, galleries constructed with a cast iron span across two floors. The third side features a series of cubicles, adorned with canopies and wooden paneled fronts. Notably, the pool itself is heated, making it the oldest surviving heated pool in the country.