Up and down the country our outdoor pools are enjoying a revival and work is underway to help restore the faded glory of many more of these historic treasures. It was around the 1930s when lidos became all the rage, with many built in a bold, elaborate Art Deco style, somewhat symbolic of the behaviour they encouraged (stripping off and larking about). There’s always been something carefree and rather extravagant about them. For a start how many days are hot enough to swim in those bright blue, sparkling waters, bearing in mind they need a good spell of sunshine to warm up? In spite of that we do love swimming in a lido – it must be the most nostalgic and literally breath-taking summer activity.
Turn to page 16 of August's The Simple Things for a directory of our favourite lidos.
And if you need something to wear when you're there, try one of these five grown-up swimwear styles.
Left to right:
Emerald green swimsuit - For Luna
Boyleg maillot - Anthropologie
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