Britain’s first natural heated, naturally treated swimming pool – in the heart of the East End.
Since the Tower Beach closed in 1971, and the Victoria Park Lido in 1986, East Enders have lacked an outdoor pool. Working together, the Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre and the Turk’s Head Charity, have devised a scheme that meets that need in an exciting and sustainable way.
New reed planting will gradually clean the water and improve its quality.
The Lido is to be located in Shadwell Basin. The pool will be 50 metres long and fully accessible with a separate children’s pool. It will be heated year round with renewable energy from a heat exchanger and solar panels and treated with filters and plant treatment beds to EU standards. Running costs will be modest. A children’s beach, café, restaurant and viewing deck are all part of the plan.
Around the basin a new bridge will make the dockside walk wheelchair friendly. A new water polo court will enhance the outdoor activity centre. The southern bank of the former dock will be extended to create a gentler slope with spawning areas and a pond-dipping platform. New reed planting will gradually clean the water and improve its quality.
Looking after the Lido
The Wapping Lido Trust has been established to build the Lido and manage its operation. Different elements of the scheme – the pool, restaurant, etc. will be licensed to professional operators. We plan to run training courses to qualify local resident for the job opportunities.
The Trust will maintain a small staff team to look after the park around the basin with the income derived from licensing fees.
Membership of the Lido will allow unlimited access to the pool for £30 a month – a price guaranteed for people who sign up here as founder members. Normal admission will be £4 for adults and £1 for children.
