Arundel Lido offers outdoor swimming with heated pools in a stunning setting. It is situated in the picturesque town of Arundel and is in the South Downs National Park

A Lido is more than just an outside swimming pool. The term “Lido” is from the name of the place in Venice where bathing took place. Lidos usually have areas for sunbathing, relaxing and eating and are designed for activities around water. Our Lido offers all of these facilities.

Today Arundel Lido is the only remaining Lido in West Sussex. It is operated by a Charitable Trust.

The 2020 Summer Season will run from Saturday 2nd May to Sunday 6th September. Click here to download a 2020 brochure.

Our Lido Manager and the Arundel Lido Team will strive to ensure that your visit to Arundel Lido is an enjoyable one.

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The grounds

Our grounds are landscaped with grass, trees and shaded areas. Picnic tables, loungers and parasols are available on a first-come-first-served basis. There is a grass field for children’s play activities which includes a play boat and an Adventure play park. There is also a paved café patio area.

Please note: The Lido operates a No Smoking and No Dogs (except guide dogs) policy within its grounds.

Facilities for Babies and Young Children

We offer a designated room suitable for breast feeding and with nappy changing facilities. We also offer swim nappies at our shop.

Refreshments

Hot and cold drinks, snacks, hot food such as Burgers, Sausages and Jacket Potatoes along with freshly made Baps and Baguettes, home-made cakes, ice creams, sweets and crisps are on offer. From time to time we also offer our Lido Barbecue where you can purchase good quality hot dogs and burgers.

Shop

We sell a range of swimming accessories including arm bands, goggles and swimming nappies.

Cabin

A light, airy room with veranda that is usually available to sit in. It is also available for hire year-round by arrangement. Please see Hire our facilities page for further details.

Barbecue, Pools, Site and Inflatables  are also available to hire as part of private booking packages.

Bicycles and Motorbikes

These are not allowed on site but there are bicycle rails and a motorbike parking bay in the car park.

The Car Park

There is a large Pay and Display Car Park next to the Lido.

Facilities for those with Disabilities

Car parking in designated disabled spaces is available in the car park with the appropriate badge. The Lido site is flat, has easy access from the car park, and is suitable for wheelchair users. There is a designated Disabled Toilet. If you need special facilities for changing into swimwear do contact our Reception in advance to discuss your needs.

The Main Pool has a Wheelchair to Pool Hoist although we would appreciate prior notification if you need to use this facility. There are easy entry steps with a handrail to the Entry Pool which leads to the Main Pool.

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Our Pools.

Yes, our pools are heated! The water temperature is usually around 28c in both pools.

The Main Pool.

25 metres long with lane markings and ropes on request outside of family hours. Maximum depth 1.5m.

All children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult unless they have taken a swim competency test at Arundel Lido (ask the Life Guard for details). Children that are non-swimmers can use the Entry Pool only. All children under 3 must wear a swim nappy when in the pool.

The Entry Pool.

5 metres long and with easy entry steps and a link to the main pool. Depth 1.0m All children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult in the pool at all times and children under 3 must wear a swim nappy when in the pool.

The Children’s Pool.

A large paddling pool with a beach style entry at the shallow end and a Maximum depth 0.65m at the deep end. Only children under 8 years of age are allowed into this pool. Children must be supervised by an adult in the pool at all times. Children under 3 must wear a swim nappy when in the pool.

Lifeguards.

All our pools are life-guarded by qualified Lifeguards.

Please note: We still require all children under 8 to be fully supervised by an accompanying adult at all times.

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Arundel Swimming Pool was originally opened in 1960 following a generous donation of land from the 16th Duke of Norfolk to celebrate the 21st birthday of his eldest daughter, Lady Anne.

For many years Arundel Swimming Pool was a popular facility serving not just Arundel, but the surrounding towns and villages.

By the 1990s the Lido needed investment to modernise its pools. The Arun District Council made the decision to close the Lido in 1999 to save money.

The local community, as well as visitors to the town and surrounding areas, missed this unique facility of open-air swimming, attractive grassed areas and views of the famous castle and campaigned for it to be re-opened.

Arundel & Downland Community Leisure Trust took responsibility for the site in 2002. The original objective of this registered charity was to restore and refurbish the Arundel Lido site.

Over the winter of 2003/4, with financial help from Arundel Town Council and Arun District Council, the main pool was totally re-built by the Trust and was re-opened as Arundel Lido by Lady Mary (one of the 16th Duke’s daughters) on 28th June 2004.

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Arundel & Downland Community Leisure Trust who operate Arundel Lido, launched Project LEAP in 2016 to become an all-year-round facility including

• A 26-station Gym
• A Multi-purpose Community Hall
• An Indoor Café
• Heated Changing Rooms (with showers, toilets and lockers)

Project LEAP addresses the strategic objectives of Arun District Council’s Leisure Strategy and Arundel Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan. Crucially, the Trustees of Arundel Castle declared that they not only supported the Project, but “firmly supported” the design of the new building.  Thereupon, the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk became Project Patrons.

Planning Application was formally approved on 15th June 2018. The estimated new building will cost some £2.75 million.

Trust will be looking for grants to fund the Build Stage of the Project – BUT, if you can help, please do let us know.

Several Fundraising events are organised including:

The Project LEAP fundraising ball. A Casino Royale evening on Saturday 23^rd March.

The evening includes cocktails on arrival, 3 course meal, live music from Fantastic Pontastics, a 8-piece-band, casino tables, sleight of hand magician and much more. Tickets £65 per person.

It will be a fantastic evening, tickets are going fast so make sure you get yours, and don’t miss out!

For More information please contact Nikki Richardson, manager@arundel-lido.com  follow us on facebook @ArundelLido or visit our website

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Arundel Lido is currently maintained and run by volunteers from the Arundel and Downland Community Leisure Trust (ACT.) The Trust is a Registered Charity (Reg. No. 1091478)

ACT was established to provide leisure facilities for the local Arundel community and visitors to the town. As a registered charity, it aims to improve conditions of life particularly for those who are disadvantaged by reason of their youth, age, disability or social/economic circumstances.

The Trust works to achieve its Charitable Objectives by providing an attractive well-run site for visitors to enjoy. We offer concessionary prices both for day tickets and season tickets to assist those who are seniors or who are economically disadvantaged or in receipt of specified state benefits.

We aim to support the young by offering family-friendly facilities and also through our Swim School and Children’s Activity Sessions. The Lido offers significant support for those with disabilities including concessionary entry rates and a range of designated facilities.

We also offer free entry by prior arrangement to a limited numbers of groups representing the disabled and disadvantaged sections of the community– please ask our Lido Manager for more details of this scheme.

You can make a donation via wonderful.org to help towards the continual developments and improvements of Arundel Lido and Project LEAP. Alternatively, if you have a great fundraising idea and would like to fundraise on our behalf, then do get in touch with us manager@arundel-lido.com

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