Thames Lido

It was my sister’s birthday today. Tina and I have decided that experiences and outings are better than presents so today I took her on an unusual ‘spa day’. It was a surprise but she knew she had to bring a bathing suit. The surprise was that the pool was outdoors! She didn’t even realise it until we were changed and walked through the glass doors to the pool. “Oh!! It’s outdoors!!”, she said! With a slightly horrified look on her face! It was a beautiful sunny day but one of the coldest days we’ve had all winter!

This is the Thames Lido in Reading. Originally the ‘Kings Meadow Baths’, built in 1902 when outdoor pools or ‘lidos’ (Italian for ‘beach’) were popular in England. It sits right by the Thames and in the early years water straight from the river was used. It eventually closed down in 1974 and had been derelict until recently. For many years there was a public campaign to save the lido when it looked as if it would be demolished to make way for a hotel and apartment development. I’m not sure if the campaigners are totally happy with the outcome. Although it was saved, the now grade II listed building has been transformed into a swanky and slightly expensive pool and spa, while saving the original surrounding building. Residents of Reading (of which I am not), can at least swim here for a greatly reduced price at certain times.

I have never been here before so it was a treat for me too. I bought a swim and lunch package and we had two hours to use the pool, hot tub and 2 saunas. The water of the main pool is heated to 25C - still a bit brisk on a cold January day!

Tina really enjoys swimming and spas and once in the water she was very happy. I loved it too, but spent a bit more time in the hot tub than she did. Once it was time for lunch we were able to eat in our robes and enjoyed a delicious 2-course meal from the Mediterranean and middle eastern menu.

The outing was a great success and I am sure we’ll both be back!

See first Extra photo for a picture of Tina with a few little token gifts from me, which somehow turned into a donut theme! The second Extra photo shows a few funny signs around the spa, some new and some old, signs of the original era of the building.