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Brighton’s incredible new beachfront lido is go. Work on the 50-metre pool – the UK’s first National Open-Water Swimming Centre of Excellence – has been confirmed to start this winter, with plans for the first swimmers to take the plunge in summer 2022.
The pool is being built by developers Sea Lanes Brighton, close to a dilapidated stretch of seafront. Over the past three summers, Sea Lanes has run a pop-up site close to where the pool will eventually sit on the beach, with local faves Bison Beer running a bar and swim tour operator Swimtrek offering training in a clever ‘endless water’ swimming machine. Beach Box Spa completed the package, offering hardy sea swimmers a chance to warm up in its saunas between cooling dips in the English Channel.
The pool, which is set to be fully accessible, is set to be a complete game-changer for this part of town. ‘The pool will provide much needed swimming facilities in Brighton,’ says Sea Lanes director Joe McNulty. ‘It act as a gateway for those looking to gain the confidence to swim in the sea, as well as a training hub for open-water swimming events, triathlon, sea safety and lifeguard courses.’
The pool got planning permission back in March 2021 and will be run by South Downs Leisure. As these amazing pictures show, it will sit on the beach itself, with Sea Lanes still operating on the road side.
Time to pack your swimming kit and get set for a seaside adventure in 2022.
Can’t wait until then? Here are 14 more spectacular outdoor swimming pools in the UK.