Building MPM1717 - Hilsea Lido

Hilsea Lido, or the 'City of Portsmouth Hilsea Swimming Pool', opened on the 24th July 1935. Designed by the City Architect Joseph Parkin, the site was intended to resemble the deck of a luxury steamer, and had many Art Deco features. The original site comprised an outdoor swimming pool with sun-bathing surround, cascade, dressing accommodation, café, children's paddling pool and car park. The main pool had a diving tower with 5 and 10 metre platforms, and a 3 metre springboard. The tower was demolished on the 22nd April 1971. There was also a water chute/slide, which was removed in 1972. The pool held swimming and diving competitions, water polo, aquatic galas, novelty events and re-enactments of naval battles. It was used for the setting of Bernie's Holiday Camp in the 1974 film 'Tommy'.

The Lido was refurbished between 2010 and 2014 by the 'Hilsea Lido Pool for the People Trust'. The present site consists of the main pool, sun terrace, former café building and two new replacement children's paddling pools. A new 2m diving board was added in 2015.

Gates, William G, 1936, City of Portsmouth Corporation Records 1931-1935 (Bibliographic reference). SPM355.

Smith, Jane, 2002, The Book of Hilsea: Gateway to Portsmouth (Bibliographic reference). SPM358.

Smith, Jane, 2010, Hilsea Lido 75 1935-2010: 75th Anniversary Souvenir Booklet (Bibliographic reference). SPM357.

The News, 2015, The News (Bibliographic reference). SPM359.