Saltdean Lido

Saltdean Lido stands on Saltdean Park Road in the coastal town of Saltdean, part of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex. Designed by architect R.W.H. Jones, it is an Art Deco building recognised for its elegant curved lines. The lido opened in 1938 and was praised as Britain’s most innovative design of its kind. Its features include a tea terrace, sun deck, and café on the flat roof, with distinctive curved wings at either end. The pool measures 43 by 20 metres and once held 500 bathers. It is the only lido featured in the Design Museum in London. The lido’s survival reflects strong local support and public campaigns. In 1958, Butlins tried to buy it for development but faced opposition and was rejected. It reopened in 1998 after a £2 million restoration led by Sports Minister Tony Banks, who had personal ties to the site. In 2011, its listed status was upgraded to Grade II*, marking its special architectural importance. A £49,500 grant in 2014 helped restore the children’s paddling pool, unused since 1997. The Save Saltdean Lido Campaign secured a 60-year lease for community use in 2014, and the lido reopened in 2017. Visitors find a restored Art Deco pool with a sun deck and café above. The curved wings frame views of the sea and surrounding parkland. The children’s paddling pool, now refurbished, offers a shallow area for families. The lido’s architecture and setting recall a stately ocean liner, blending design with seaside leisure. Nearby Saltdean Park adds greenery and space for relaxation. The site remains a community asset, shaped by local pride and careful restoration.