Lido Click here to go back to A-Z page

In the 1930s there was a nationwide health movement which led to the construction of over 180 new open air swimming pools, with Lidos being built all around the coast. The word ‘lido’ derives from the Latin litus and originates from a resort in Italy. It initially became associated in English with beach resorts in Europe but was gradually used to describe out-door pools.
A Lido for Grange was first discussed in the 1920s when the Urban District Council had proposals to build one below Bay Villa (where Main Street car park now is) – but the then owner did not sell the land, so the proposal was shelved. In 1929 another proposed pool was costed up (around £12,000), which would have been built near the bottom of Bailey Lane on the foreshore.
The current site was finally decided on – mainly because there was also the ability to build a car park and bridge over the railway, which meant that access to the pool would not be a problem. The Berners level crossing also meant that construction and maintenance traffic had good access.
The Council’s District Surveyor (T Huddleston) designed the Lido to blend in with the promenade and sweep of the bay, and it was quite a simple and fundamental design – unlike some of the more ornate Lidos such as Blackpool and Saltdean.
Construction took a year or so (after the tide and rain delayed matters), costing around £18,000, and the pool was formally opened on 18 August 1932 by Lord Derby (although it had actually been open and in use for around 6 weeks by then!). LMS even ran special trains from Morecambe (and possibly elsewhere) to the event.
A Lido for Grange was first discussed in the 1920s when the Urban District Council had proposals to build one below Bay Villa (where Main Street car park now is) – but the then owner did not sell the land, so the proposal was shelved. In 1929 another proposed pool was costed up (around £12,000), which would have been built near the bottom of Bailey Lane on the foreshore.
The current site was finally decided on – mainly because there was also the ability to build a car park and bridge over the railway, which meant that access to the pool would not be a problem. The Berners level crossing also meant that construction and maintenance traffic had good access.
The Council’s District Surveyor (T Huddleston) designed the Lido to blend in with the promenade and sweep of the bay, and it was quite a simple and fundamental design – unlike some of the more ornate Lidos such as Blackpool and Saltdean.
Construction took a year or so (after the tide and rain delayed matters), costing around £18,000, and the pool was formally opened on 18 August 1932 by Lord Derby (although it had actually been open and in use for around 6 weeks by then!). LMS even ran special trains from Morecambe (and possibly elsewhere) to the event.

Two super short videos of the lido being used in 1932 - just click on the picture.
Facts and Figures
The Lido was 165' long, and 11'2" wide (1,615 square yards) - with depths ranging from 1'6" to 10' under the diving boards. It also had water chutes and a water polo area. It's capacity was 445,000 gallons of sea water.
It cost £18,000 to build.
Opened in 1932, closed on 1993.
The most recent innovation was the installation of photo boards to liven up the rather dilapidated look to the place.
There has also been quite a bit of creative graffiti on the diving area, and indoors.
There has also been quite a bit of creative graffiti on the diving area, and indoors.
There are plenty of photos on Google or other search engines. There are some fascinating photos of the current condition inside the buildings taken by SLDC – which show some of the character, and the amount of work that would be needed for any restoration to be successful.
- Facebook Page
- Contemporary Photos 1
- Contemporary Photos 2
- Latest SLDC information
- Conservation Statement 2013
- Archaeological Report (excellent)
If you want to see inside it, there's a video taken by a trespasser here www.youtube.com/watch?v=zijDqj52brs