Tinside Lido

Tinside Lido is an Art Deco swimming facility with a semicircular saltwater pool built into the coastline near Plymouth Sound. The structure features decorative fountains, reinforced concrete elements, and curved architectural details typical of 1930s design.

This pool opened in 1935 as part of a wave of public swimming facilities built across Britain during that era. Major restoration work between 1998 and 2005 brought the space back to its original condition after decades of decline.

This lido embodies how seaside swimming became a shared social activity in 20th century Britain, where outdoor pools were gathering places for whole communities. The design shows how leisure and architecture came together to create spaces where people could enjoy water and company.

The pool is only open during warmer months and has dedicated changing facilities for swimmers. It sits right on the waterfront and is easy to spot from the surrounding promenade, making it simple to find and access.

The pool entrance features curved walls designed to look like ship cutwaters, a clever reference to Plymouth's maritime past. From the water, swimmers can see historic landmarks including Plymouth Hoe and Smeaton's Tower across the sound.