Twickenham Lido
Twickenham Lido was, for many years, another derelict secret garden – hidden away right alongside one of the most prestigious stretches of the Thames. It was opened in 1935, and stands but stood on the site of an earlier outdoor swimming pool. It is now demolished in-filled and no more.
The lido was closed in 1981 by Richmond Council for refurbishment and never re-opened. The main building and the land have remained derelict ever since. Several development schemes have been proposed - for flats, health club, restaurant and shops - and have so far failed in the face of local opposition and the changing political control of the council.
More information
News Archive
The Richmond and Twickenham Times reports:
The skyline of Twickenham has changed forever. The swimming baths which have dominated the town's political life for the past 20 years have finally tumbled to the ground.
Photograph Balthazaar Serreau
Passers-by have been stopping to gape at the gap on the riverside site, where the crumbling art-deco building has been replaced by hoardings backed by a new view of trees and a greater expanse of sky.
...The old swimming pool has been filled in with 1,500 tonnes of 'hard core' and numerous huge bins have carried away the old building.
photo courtesy Susan Woods
| Twickenham Baths | 13 January 2005; 5:35:05 PM |# | | Discuss |
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