About the Lido

Our Lido was built in 1935 and is one of 98 remaining lidos in the UK.

However, the last 85 years have not gone by without a struggle. In the 1980s our Lido was under threat of closure after a lack of local authority funding, the community fought back and the lido remained open. In the early 1990’s the threat came around again, this time following a structural condition survey of both pools which established the pools required significant stabilisation work. Friends of the Lido, a community group, was formed to try and prevent closure. They approached local councillors and gave many publicity interviews to raise public awareness and following many meetings Cheltenham Borough Council agreed to consider leasing the lido to a Charitable Trust.

The charity (Sandford Lido Ltd) was established in 1996 and was initially made up of 12 intrepid volunteers. We signed a full repairing lease for 25 years and began developing and investing in the facility.

2021 will be the end of our first lease and we are very proud to say that with the help of our lido community and grants we have been able to invest over £3,000,000 in your lido and have significant plans for future investment/development.

In 2019 we agreed heads of terms for our new lease with Cheltenham Borough Council which will run until 2056.

As you look through our website you will see all of the amazing activities, events and facilities we have to offer you, but fundamentally we are a nationally significant heated outdoor swimming resort with a sauna and wonderful cafe set in the heart of Cheltenham.

To learn more about the Lido's history please click here

If you would like to make a donation to our charity, please click here.