Lidos: UK rekindles passion for swimming

A surge in interest in open-air lidos has added impetus to projects restoring Britain’s municipal baths to their former glory

Swimmers across Britain will greet the longest day by plunging into a pool tomorrow. Many will take that summer solstice dip amid the splendour of a restored public lido or municipal baths as the national appetite for preserving historic leisure facilities grows.

Last week, the Grade II*-listed Victoria Baths in Manchester, which has been closed since 1993, moved a stage nearer to opening for swimmers again. The city has just announced stage two of a lengthy restoration – with a planned commercial refurbishment of its lavish marble Turkish baths, designed by architect Henry Price and first enjoyed when the baths were completed in 1906.

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from Fitness | The Guardian http://ift.tt/1WUNOzO
via FITNESS