Art Deco Saltdean Lido near Brighton, built 1938,
reopened to the public May 2017.
The Lido, or open-air swimming pool, became popular during the 1920s and 1930s when swimming was seen as a highly fashionable past-time. Changing fashions in the 1920s liberated women with new swimming costumes.
The Lido, or open-air swimming pool, became popular during the 1920s and 1930s when swimming was seen as a highly fashionable past-time. Changing fashions in the 1920s liberated women with new swimming costumes.
As the popularity of swimming grew, many British seaside resorts invested in new pools to attract holiday makers. Blackpool spent £75,000 on its pool in 1923, built in a classical style with a portico and colonnades. In 1936, a truly massive super swimming stadium was built in Morecambe.
Morecambe swimming stadium, built 1936
Morecambe swimming stadium, built 1936
By the 1930s, the Art Deco movement began to influence the design of Lidos; notable examples are the Art Deco Jubilee Pool in Penzance (1935) and Saltdean Lido, near Brighton (1938), which resembles the bridge of an Ocean Liner.
Art Deco Jubilee Pool, Penzance, built 1935
The 1930s Lido is having something of a renaissance. Following campaigns and fundraising by local groups and Councils, the Jubilee Pool was refurbished and opened to the public in 2016 with over 40,000 visitors that year and Saltdean Lidowas refurbished and reopened in May 2017.
The 1930s Lido still stands supreme as a symbol of modernity, fashionable chic and youthful vitality.
The 1930s Lido still stands supreme as a symbol of modernity, fashionable chic and youthful vitality.
