A POPULAR seaside town was once home to an outdoor lido that attracted visitors from far and wide.
Now the historic location lies empty, with the over 200-year-old pool filled with sand.
The Cliftonville Lido has been closed since the late 1970s, with the entire facility closing in the early 2000s[/caption]
Cliftonville saw its iconic Clifton Baths, which were constructed in 1824, converted into a massive outdoor pool in 1926.
The facility was officially named the Cliftonville Lido in 1938 and could hold up to 1,000 bathers at a time.
It was designed to be filled daily by the tidal flow and even included a terraced amphitheatre with seating for spectators.
This proved especially handy for the various swimming competitions and water spectacles hosted at the venue.
Over the years of operation the Cliftonville Lido even held various beauty pageants, including a “Miss Lido” competition in 1953.
Unique features
The premises, which measures just under 80,000 square-feet, also included cafes, bars, diving boards, slides, and promenade terraces.
This Grade II listed establishment is excavated into the cliffs, offering stunning views of the coastline.
The building features bright red roof‑tiles, Art Deco porthole windows, and the iconic four‑sided “Lido” beacon.
It also boasted one of the earliest seawater plunge baths, a domed circular chamber, and a tunnel for storing bathing machines, all of which are unique to Britain.
The lido thrived from the 1940s to the 1970s, even featuring an aquarium, zoo, billiard hall, puppet theatre, and nightclubs.
Closure of facilities
However, the outdoor pool closed around 1977 or 1978 and was filled with sand.
The last nightclub on the premises closed in the 1980s while the lido bar and snooker hall remained open until the 2000s.
It was awarded historical status in 2008 for its rare architectural and historical value, with part of site collapsing due to disrepair over the years.
And while it was acquired by private owners, the part of the complex conatining the outdoor pool is council‑owned.
Local volunteers have helped to clear debris from the premises while the group Save Margate Lido CIC continues a campaign to restore the site for mixed community, leisure, cultural, and retail use.
Swimming safety advice
Experts have revealed some of their top advice for both adults and kids heading to the water this summer:
How to stay safe at the beach
Gareth Morrison, Head of Water Safety at the RNLI said: “If you find yourself being swept out to sea in a rip, try to relax and float until you are free from the rip and you can then swim to safety.
“If you see someone else in danger, alert a lifeguard or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”
How to stay safe at the swimming pool
Tiny Hearts Education, former paramedic and CEO Nikki Jurcutz said: “Always put your little one in bright or contrasting colours that would be easy to find in an emergency.
“It only takes 20 seconds to drown, little tips like this could save a life”.
An Auqabliss spokesperson added: “Swimming toys such as noodles, dive rings, floaties and beach balls can be dangerous if left in the pool.
“Children may try to grab these from the pool’s edge and fall in.”
How to stay safe at a waterpark
Ali Beckman, Puddle Ducks Technical Director, said: “Never send a child down the slide on their own, not only are they going to be entering the slide pool area independently, they then have to exit the pool and wait for an adult.
“And wave pools should be avoided until your child is really confident with water going over their faces and you know they are able to regain their feet independently.
“Waterparks are often very busy places and it’s easy to lose sight of a child in a split second.”
Cliftonville Lido offers a glimpse into Margate’s seaside heyday and was even the site where renowned artist Tracey Emin is said to have learned to swim.
Other UK lidos
Plus, all the lidos you can visit around the UK to cool off in the summer heat.
And a historic lido with stunning mountain views that has been abandoned for decades.
A popular UK beach town also plans to reopen a beloved lido for the summer season.
And a round-up of the lesser-known lidos you can visit to beat the scorching heat.
The lido was filled with sand after it was officially closed to prevent it being filled by the tide[/caption]
The area of the facility that includes the outdoor pool is owned by the local council[/caption]
The lido proved a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, with a restaurant, bar, nightclubs, and even an aquarium and zoo on-site[/caption]
The Cliftonville Lido hosted various competitions as well as leisure swimming, as enjoyed by these women in June 1930[/caption]
