Our glorious Lido is now open for the 2026 seaon. Thanks to the help of raising awareness to it are Friends of Peterborough Lido who meet regularly with Vivacity management to help keep the Lido going, giving ideas, suggesting events and raising some funds for much-needed items.
Peterborough Lido opened today (Saturday 28th March 2026) for a very long summer season and the weather is being extremely good to us with some glorious sunshine. The swimming offer of the year is today and tomorrow’s swim is only going to cost you 90p. The Lido Belles were some of the first swimmers in the pool with their fabulous swim hats. And Friends of Peterborough Lido group had their pre-season swim (the actual first people in) on Friday 27th March – lucky them.
What does Peterborough Lido have to offer?
- Ladies and gentlemen’s changing areas and toilets.
- Shallow end and deep end in the 50m pool.
- If you’re a serious swimmer, there are lanes specifically cordoned off for slow, medium and fast. The rest of the pool is for general swimming.
- A separate children’s pool, which is shallower and used as a training/teaching pool.
- A paddling pool for dipping your toes in and keeping baby cool.
- A café for hot drinks and snacks.
- A surrounding balcony for sitting and viewing – you’ll need to bring a blanket or hire a deckchair.
- A large grassed garden area and a children’s play area. This is also where the summer cinema and theatre events take place.
The Lido team told us: “We’re delighted to be starting the season earlier this year and are keeping everything crossed for a mild Easter. 90 years is a huge milestone for a building that has survived a bombing, fire and numerous threats of closure! We invite everyone from Peterborough and further afield to join in the celebrations.”
“As well as regular swimming sessions and fitness classes, we’ll be having an action-packed party weekend at the end of May, sunrise and sunset swims for the Summer Solstice, paint and dip sessions, midnight swims and outdoor cinema, to name just a few of the events to look forward to this year.”
Whatever bit of your life the Lido has touched, there is now an exhibition at Peterborough Museum showing a timeline from when it was built 90 years ago.
You’ll see that masses of people used to sit on the terraces and watch swimming galas happening in the pool. You’ll read that in 1991 the Lido was in danger of being demolished because of repair needs being so costly, and was saved with a purchase of £1. Did you know that Peggy Wright, the swimming teacher, used to teach synchronised swimming?
There’s a good collection of stories there that you can have a look at and read about people’s memories from the Lido going back years and years which is fascinating. And on top of all the memorabilia on show, you can also have a look through and purchase a 90 year commemorative book which has been created by Monica from Friends of Peterborough Lido group. If you, like me, when there was a child there’ll be something to see because it brings back some memories when you look at some of the old pictures.
Did you know that you can join the sub Aqua club and learn scuba diving? The 297th branch of the British Sub Aqua club meets at the Peterborough Lido that you can join. www.bsac.com/training/learn-to-scuba-dive/
Find out more about our Lido Celebrations with more to come in May at vivacity.org/things-to-do/lido-90
Why not combine your swim with other things to do around Peterborough
#Peterborough #WeLovePeterborough #PeterboroughLido #Fitness #90Years
