UK's historic lido is reopening just in time for summer - with Olympic-size pool, waterslides and splash zone

A historic lido has undergone a £130k renovation and reopened just in time for summer.

Banbury Open Air pool, which is part of the Woodgreen Leisure Centre in Oxfordshire, first opened in 1939.

The Olympic-sized swimming pool is Banbury's only outdoor pool and a 'much-loved' spot by local residents.

Renovation work has seen new showers and toilets installed as well as improvements made to the site's changing rooms.

The 50m heated outdoor pool has eight lanes as well as an outdoor slide and a splash zone.

Rob Pattenden, Cherwell District Council's healthy communities chief, has said that the renovation work shows the swimming pool is 'very much moving with the times'.

'Swimming is such an accessible and beneficial form of exercise and so it's a brilliant way for us to invest in our communities' health and wellbeing,' said Mr Pattenden.

'With the warm weather we're having, I fully expect people to be making the most of Banbury's wonderful outdoor pool as it opens its doors for another summer.'

Renovations include a new accessible step-free shower for people with disabilities.

The pool is extremely popular with locals and has a 4.5 star rating out of 5 on Google Reviews.

One reviewer described it as a 'lovely pool' that's 'really reasonably priced' while another said it was a 'great place for a swim'.

Adult tickets to the lido cost £5.65 while those aged 50+ or between 3-15 years can swim for £3.70.

Elsewhere, Guildford Lido has also reopened for the summer season after a £2 million refurbishment.

The 50m heated pool has installed brand new changing rooms and improved its drainage systems ahead of the 2025 season.