Welcome to Shaftesbury Lido
Shaftesbury Town Council took over the management of the pool in 2016 and has invested in refurbishment works over the past few years to ensure the viability of this much-treasured community asset. It is the only open-air swimming pool in Dorset and is open for everyone to enjoy!
Today, the pool provides residents with a great place to learn to swim, as well as a range of classes, including Parent & Toddler, Aqua Fit, and Naked Swimming for the braver souls! We offer float parties for those special occasions and private hire for school groups. We welcome enquiries from clubs, organisations and businesses, so if you have a bespoke request, please get in touch.
There is a spectator area for family viewing and refreshments are available to buy from our café. Plus free WiFi.
Events
There’s lots going on at the Lido. See our events page for what’s coming up.
About us
History of Shaftesbury Lido
The origins of the Lido go back 170 years to the mid-19th Century and are closely associated with securing Shaftesbury’s water supply. It is one of the oldest pools still operational in the country.
In 1848, John Rutter, a leading social reformer, wrote to the Marquis of Shaftesbury (the effective owner of the town) with suggestions for improvements, including creating a water supply for the poor.
In 1852, a new water works was completed with two deep wells sunk at Barton Hill and a pumping station, paid for by the Marquis of Westminster. The adjacent tank that was excavated from the solid greenstone to hold cool water for the steam pumps was to become the Shaftesbury open-air swimming pool.
We don’t know the exact date of when the tank was first used for swimming, but Shaftesbury’s first swimming club was formed in 1891 and for much of the 20th century the pool was known as ‘The Tank’. Many older residents have happy memories of learning to swim there.
Wessex Water still operates from an adjacent facility on the site of the original pumping station.
Friends of Shaftesbury Swimming (FOSS)
FOSS promotes swimming opportunities in the Shaftesbury area. Their primary focus is to advise and support the Town Council on the sustainable development of Shaftesbury Lido.
Founded in September 2021, FOSS is a group of regular Lido swimmers who helped establish the Shaftesbury Swimming Advisory Committee (SSAC). The committee consists of four members of the public drawn from FOSS, two councillors and the pool manager. The FOSS committee meets informally with the council on a monthly basis and have been active in influencing many aspects of the marketing and development of the Lido, as well as come up with and support fundraising opportunities.
To get in contact with FOSS, email foss2021@btinternet.com
Follow them on Facebook
Contact Us
Lido Reception: 01747 853181
Alternatively, you can contact Shaftesbury Town Council on 01747 852420 or email office@shaftesbury-tc.gov.uk
Please note, council office hours are 10am-2pm Monday to Friday.
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Feedback
Your feedback is really important to us and ensures that we are able to continually improve our swimmers’ experience. If you have used the Lido this season, please consider filling out our short questionnaire.