Bristol Lido, in Clifton, is a heated outdoor pool open every day from 7am to 10pm. Non-members can pre-book a two-hour guest session, including the pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub, for £25 Monday to Thursday or £30 Friday to Sunday, with children charged separately.
It's an easy one to overlook if you don't already know Bristol, tucked away on a residential street in Clifton rather than signposted from the centre, but it's one of the more relaxing things to do in the city if the weather's on your side.
What it actually is
Bristol Lido is a Victorian outdoor swimming pool, restored and reopened as a members' club with a poolside restaurant and spa facilities, at Oakfield Place in Clifton (BS8 2BJ). The 24-metre pool is heated year-round, so it's swimmable even in winter, and it sits alongside a sauna, steam room, hot tub and treatment rooms. A restaurant and bar run alongside the pool for breakfast, lunch, dinner and small plates.
It's primarily a membership club, but non-members can visit through pre-booked guest sessions, which is how most first-time visitors experience it.
Guest swim prices and hours
Guest sessions run for two hours and include use of the pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub. Booking slots open hourly from 10am until 3pm, with a maximum of six guests per slot, seven days a week. The price is £25 per adult Monday to Thursday and £30 Friday to Sunday.
Children aged 4 to 15 can swim during a dedicated slot from 2pm to 4pm, at £7.50 per child, and children under 4 swim free. Children aren't able to use the sauna, steam room or hot tub, only the pool, and must be supervised one-to-one by an accompanying adult.
You need to pre-book a guest swim in advance rather than turning up on the day, since slots are capped.
Food and drink at the Lido
The poolside restaurant runs breakfast from 9am to 10.45am on weekdays and Saturdays, with lunch service from midday and dinner from 6pm, plus a small plates menu either side of the main lunch and dinner sittings. On Sundays it switches to a brunch service from 9am to midday, with small plates running through the afternoon and evening. You don't need to be swimming to eat here, though booking a table is worth doing on weekends.
Is it worth it?
If you want a proper swim outdoors, heated pool and hot tub combination in Bristol, the Lido is really the only option of its kind in the city, which makes the guest session price easier to justify than it might look at first. It suits a slow half-day out more than a quick dip: budget for the full two hours plus food afterwards.
Comparison table
| Session | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult guest swim, Mon–Thu | £25 | Pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub |
| Adult guest swim, Fri–Sun | £30 | Pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub |
| Child guest swim (4–15), 2pm–4pm | £7.50 | Pool only, adult supervision required |
| Child under 4 | Free | Pool only, adult supervision required |
Getting there
The Lido is at Oakfield Place, Clifton, BS8 2BJ, a short walk from Clifton Down and the Clifton Suspension Bridge. It's well placed to combine with a walk around Clifton or a trip to the bridge itself. If you're driving, check the Bristol parking guide first, since Clifton's residential streets have restrictions.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Bristol Lido cost for non-members?\nA two-hour guest session, including the pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub, costs £25 Monday to Thursday and £30 Friday to Sunday for adults. Children aged 4 to 15 pay £7.50 for a dedicated pool-only slot, and under-4s swim free.
Do I need to book in advance?\nYes. Guest swim slots are released hourly from 10am to 3pm with a cap of six guests per slot, so pre-booking online is necessary rather than turning up on the day.
Is the pool heated?\nYes, the 24-metre outdoor pool is heated throughout the year, so it's usable in winter as well as summer, though check current conditions before a cold-weather visit.
Can children use the sauna and hot tub?\nNo. Children can only use the swimming pool, during the 2pm to 4pm slot, and must be supervised one-to-one by an accompanying adult throughout.
Is there food at Bristol Lido?\nYes, a poolside restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and small plates most days, with a Sunday brunch service. You don't need to be swimming to eat there, but booking ahead is sensible on weekends.
Where exactly is Bristol Lido?\nOakfield Place, Clifton, BS8 2BJ, close to Clifton Down and a short walk from the Clifton Suspension Bridge.