Sandford Parks Lido holds a special place in the hearts of many residents of Gloucestershire.

Opened in 1935 and located just a five-minute walk from the hustle and bustle of Cheltenham town centre, the Olympic-size swimming pool is one of the busiest visitor attractions in the county, especially when the sun is shining. With slides, a children’s pool and a paddling pool, it’s the perfect place for the whole family to enjoy.

Cathryn Fry works as Social Media and Communications Manager at the Lido and puts the success of The Lido down to its wonderful setting. She said: “It’s such a beautiful environment. So many people have grown up with fond memories of going to The Lido, it’s a place that’s been loved by families, friends and fitness fanatics alike for decades.

“The pool is sensational and so well-maintained. The lifeguards are out there sweeping and cleaning every day. The grounds – covering four acres – are lovely too. It’s nice to just grab a coffee there and relax, you don’t even need to use the pool. It’s amazing to think how close we are to town because it seems so detached. It’s such a safe environment, which is rare nowadays. It really is a beautiful part of Cheltenham. I’m so lucky that I get to walk in to work and see it so regularly.”

The outdoor swimming pool, one of the largest in the country, hosts a number of events throughout the year. Continued Cathryn: “The triathlons and aquathlons are very popular. Opening day is always a big event as well. The dog swim and Christmas Day swim are fun too, so many people like to get involved in those. We’re having our Rescue Day on the 16th June, at the start of Drowning Prevention Week, to raise awareness of water safety. There is also a children’s swim school which provides a range of classes, from beginners to stroke improvement and survival.”

It was back in the early 1930s that the town council proposed the opening of an outdoor swimming pool, and, as Cathryn explains, the opening day was a momentous occasion. She said: “Opening day was May 21st, 1935. There was a procession of open-top motor cars at the opening ceremony. People came from all over Gloucestershire on special trains and buses to enjoy a swim. The first people to swim were members of the Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club. We still have a great relationship with them, they regularly use our facilities and we host the British Water Polo Championships.

“It’s our 84th season this year. Every year, on opening day, we charge 2p which is the equivalent to a sixpence. That’s what the first customers would have been charged. Nowadays the season ticket applications are done online, which makes things a lot easier for us. If people don’t have access to the internet, they can come to us and we will do it for them.”