Love your Lido: Outdoor Pools in North Herts

Whether you’re a lover of alfresco dips, or want to fill your summer with some family friendly activities, a trip to the Hitchin or Letchworth outdoor pools should be high on your to-do list.

Pool goers practising artificial respiration (an earlier form of CPR) at the Hitchin Outdoor Pool in 1939.

Credit: North Hertfordshire Museum

The Letchworth Outdoor Pool, situated in scenic Norton Common, opened its doors in 1935 and the Hitchin Outdoor Pool on Butts Close officially opened in 1938. Both pools are thriving and much loved by residents.

The pools open for the season on Saturday 25 May until Sunday 8 September. Both pools are 50m long, heated and surrounded by grassed sunbathing areas, with toddler pools. Refreshments are available from the poolside cafes, or you can even bring your own picnic and make a day of it.

This year both pools have benefitted from investment from NHDC. Over at Hitchin the toilets and changing area have been refurbished and the outdoor play area is undergoing an exciting makeover. The new secure play area will feature an exciting mix of play opportunities for children, including a climbing structure with a slide, a ‘butterfly’ seesaw and music corner complete with bongos, a xylophone, shaker and rainmaker. There will also be a number of benches installed, so parents can relax while their children are busy at play. A new two tier covered cycle rack is also set to be installed and completed later in the season.

Over at Letchworth, the toilet and shower areas have been refurbished and the safety surface around the small pool has been completely replaced.

Date for your diary: Saturday 23 June

Head over to the Letchworth Outdoor Pool and Norton Common for an action packed day of fun on Saturday 23 June. In conjunction with the Letchworth Festival, NHDC will be running a fun day including opportunities to try yoga and aqua yoga. Brave the “Fun Zone” session in the pool, or try your hand at Pickleball and the Xplorer – a family friendly navigation challenge.

Authors Emma Pusill and Janet Wilkinson have also chosen the Letchworth Outdoor Pool to launch their new book ‘The Lido Guide’. Signed copies of the book will be available to purchase on the day.

For more information and to check opening times visit: www.sll.co.uk