Brace yourselves for a refreshing plunge into history right here at Uxbridge Lido. This isn’t just any swimming pool. Uxbridge Lido is a landmark with a fascinating past.
The story of Uxbridge Lido begins in 1935. Imagine Uxbridge residents, before this lido, swimming in the Frays River and the Colne. The Uxbridge Urban District Council decided it was time for a change. They commissioned G. Percy Trentham to design a pool. It cost about £24,500. 120 unemployed local men were hired to build it.
The opening ceremony was quite the event. Reverend Luther Bouch, chairman of the council, cut the ribbon on August 31, 1935. Alf Price became the first superintendent of Uxbridge Lido.
Uxbridge Lido quickly became a local favorite. Its unique design set it apart. The pool was built in the “Moderne” or Art Deco style. It measured 220 by 72.5 feet. The pool was shaped like an elongated twelve-sided star, the only remaining example of its kind in the country. It was the second longest open-air swimming pool in London.
Adding to its charm, two octagonal concrete fountains were placed in a line. One stood to the north and one to the south of the pool. A concrete and brick entrance building was constructed at the northern end. It had a pay window in its short central brick bay. A grandstand was built on the eastern side. It featured three levels and an open, flat-roofed viewing terrace.
During the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, athletes used Uxbridge Lido to train. They were housed at the nearby RAF Uxbridge.
But the story of Uxbridge Lido isn’t without its challenges. Hillingdon Council closed the pool after the 1982 season. Uxbridge Pool Action Group reopened it in 1984. They installed solar heating panels and a water slide.
Despite these efforts, the pool closed again after the 1998 season. Damage from travelers and the need for upgrades led to its decline. Sadly, the buildings suffered heavy vandalism, despite being granted Grade II listed status.
But Uxbridge Lido’s story doesn’t end there. In 2000, the London Borough of Hillingdon proposed a restoration project. A new 50-metre indoor pool was planned. The outdoor pool would be restored. The project included a health and fitness suite, restaurant, and sports hall. English Heritage oversaw the restoration.
The indoor pool and sports complex opened in February 2010. Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, officially opened it on March 21, 2010. The outdoor pool reopened the next day.
Uxbridge Lido celebrated its 75th anniversary on September 8, 2010. The South Korean Olympic Team trained here for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Today, Uxbridge Lido stands as a testament to community spirit and architectural history. It’s more than just a pool. It’s a reminder of Uxbridge’s past, present, and future.