Hilsea Lido

[2] The Hilsea Lido is a leisure facility featuring the Main Pool (measuring 67m x 18m – 4.6m deep).

[6] The pool originally used seawater, converting later to freshwater, and the lido design included two large fountains which have been retained but are no longer used.

[7][8] The Main Pool and changing facilities were designed for the use of 768 adults and 180 children with accommodation for around 1000 spectators.

In 1936 the Lido was visited by the British diving team from 1936 Summer Olympics who gave a demonstration on 31 August[9] During World War 2 the main pool was closed to the general public and was given over to the use of the various military units in the area.

[14] In 2006 plans for refurbishing the lido were abandoned by the council,[15] however extended campaigning by residents continued[16] and in 2009 a management trust had been established, now a registered charity.

[6] In 2014, Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt appeared on the reality TV show Splash!

Hilsea Lido seen from the air in 1947
The Lido's former splash pool