This popular lido is still used by thousands of visitors every year and is an iconic part of Cambridge life.
The city of Cambridge might be best known for its famous university and obsession with cycling but it also has a long history with swimming thanks to the River Cam. The Art of Swimming, known as the original guide to swimming, was published in 1587 in Cambridge.
Found next to the River Cam, Jesus Green Lido was first opened in 1923 and is one of the few remaining examples of a lido built in the 1920s in England. Originally known as Jesus Green Bath, the lido was one of the longest pools in Britain at 100 yards long.
The pool is only 15 yards wide and was designed to mirror the experience of swimming in the River Cam. Jesus Green Lido had to be placed close to the river, which provided the water for the pool. It was first filled with mains water after the Second World War following complaints from people being forced to swim with the fish in the river water.
A few different locations along the river were looked at for the lido including Midsummer Common but Jesus Green was picked, as it was close to many schools in the city. The pool takes five days to fill up and you can sometimes see ducks enjoying the space alongside dedicated swimmers.
Jesus Green Lido was built when classes were segregated in municipal pools and helped to bring people from different backgrounds together. The lido said it “brought town and gown together in a democratic watery oasis”.
Even though swimming at the lido only cost a penny when it first opened, many children still used the River Cam, as they could not afford the entrance fee. Free swimming sessions on Saturday afternoons were introduced for a few years to encourage young people to use the lido.
In 1997, the pool was upgraded with new showering and toilet facilities but the lido has kept most of its original features. It now has a dedicated fast lane for swimmers with the rest of the pool being used for recreational swimming.
Jesus Green Lido celebrated its 100th birthday in 2023 and continues to be a popular spot for Cambridge residents not only through the summer but all year round. The lido hopes the pool “continues to thrive, providing health, wellbeing and belonging” to its community of swimmers.
