Guildford Lido

Loved evening lane swimming here in summer and now love that it's open all year round. The water is heated, although still cold, but perfect for wetsuit swimming if you're into open water swimming - many people brave it without wetsuits fine tho! Its nice and quiet over winter so you get a lane to yourself, unlike packed indoor pools. The pool is now considerably clearer than summer too and the hot showers and clean changing rooms help with it getting colder into winter. Thank you Lido team who are keeping it open and clean, looking forward to the new additional facilities being added soon!

Loved evening lane swimming here in summer and now love that it's open all year round. The water is heated, although still cold, but perfect for wetsuit swimming if you're into open water swimming - many people brave it without wetsuits fine tho! Its nice and quiet over winter so you get a lane to yourself, unlike packed indoor pools. The pool is now considerably clearer than summer too and the hot showers and clean changing rooms help with it getting colder into winter. Thank you Lido team who are keeping it open and clean, looking forward to the new additional facilities being added soon!

I'm conflicted. On the own hand I want to sing the Lido's praises. But on the other I don't want it to become popular. But that ship may have sailed! I'd like it to be economically viable. But stop shy of busy! But if the recent queues are anything to go by then I'm going to be disappointed! I come for the morning swim session before the crowds. There are nine lanes. Three each for fast, medium and slow. And the good people of Guildford are wonderfully accommodating of speed differences within those lanes. The staff do a remarkable job of keeping the pool clean. Occasionally there are unattractive clumps of matted hair at the bottom. There's the inevitable sand or grit that collects. And it's not immune to a stray plaster. But I think they've got themselves an underwater hoover because it's looking good at the moment. And for someone who spends 45 minutes with his head down looking at the bottom, that's a much more pleasant view. I'm surprised there are only two male showers. I may have missed the others. But in the morning I've only had to wait a couple of times for them to become free. The lack of bike storage is scandalous for a leisure organisation. This gets used up very quicky in the morning session. There are four bike stands on the left hand side of the entrance and four spaces for bikes on the right hand side if they're not instructed by mopeds. Apparently there are plans to improve bike parking. This place is a real gem. It's brightened my first summer in Guildford.