Sports & Community

Do you want to know the history of Uxbridge Open Air Pool - now Hillingdon Sports &Leisure Complex?

The original Uxbridge open-air pool and buildings, first opened in August 1935, were constructed in the "Moderne" or Late Art Deco style by E.T. Bolton and built by G. Percy Trentham for Uxbridge District Council.

Since then the pool has had a colourful history, closing its doors for a year in 1983 and permanently in 1998, until the latest refurbishment and construction of the adjoining modern Sport and Leisure facilities, which has led to the Lido's reopening on May 24th 2010, almost 75 years after first opening its doors to the public.  This leaflet celebrates Uxbridge Lido's history over those 75 years and the legacy it's heritage has left for the people of Hillingdon.

The original construction of the complex cost £24,500.  The work was carried out by 120 local unemployed men.  The complex consisted of the outdoor pool, entrance building, grandstand and two fountains, either end of the pool.  These were designed in the fashionable 'Moderne' or late art deco style of architecture.  This style is often defined by its long horizontal lines, curving forms and low flat roofs.

The centre opened on August 31st 2010 to a fanfare of trumpets by the RAF as the fountains were ceremoniously turned on.  Thousands of people turned out for the ceremony and witnessed the opening dive by Miss Katinka Larsen, followed by an exhibition of 'modern speed swimming'.  The centre was extremely popular during the early years.  Over the fifty years leading up to the 1930s a steady reduction was seen in Londoners' working hours, and it's estimated that even working class families had only to spend 60% of their income to cover basic living costs.  The leisure industry was booming.

The following year, the 'Fustin Cup' was established.  It was awarded annually to the first person to complete a length of the pool each season, and would earn you a mention in the local Gazette.

During the war, Uxbridge Lido remained open, and special events were held as part of the 'Holidays at Home' initiative, which encouraged civilians to spend their time enjoying the delights of their local area, rather than travelling to other parts of the country.

The pool was used for training by athletes in the run up to the 1948 London Olympics.

Over the following decades the pool continued to attract high numbers of visitors during the summer season.  A record was broken on July 1st 1952 when over 6,000 people paid entry on the one day.

In 1983, following a steady decline in visitor numbers and increase in running costs, the pool remained shut in order to save £62,000 from Hillingdon's leisure budget. This was despite a petition that collected 6,500 signatures demanding the pool open for the season.

In 1984, members of the Uxbridge Pool Action Group formed the Uxbridge Pool and Leisure Club Ltd, who leased the the Lido's Management with the support of a £148,000 grant from the Greater London Council.

The group began fundraising efforts to collect the money needed to install a solar-panel powered heating system for the pool, and during their ownership also installed the infamous 'Giant Uxbridge Pool Twin Waterslides' which have since been relocated as part of a bigger waterslide system at Quay West Waterpark in Devon.

In 1989, Hillingdon relieved the group of their control of the complex as they unfortunately could not raise the money to keep up with necessary repairs.

The Yiewsley Pool Development Trust then operated the complex until 1998 when it was finally decided that running costs were too high to continue opening the Lido for the summer season.  At the time, however, the importance of the physical structure of the complex was recognised and the pool, entrance building, grandstand and fountains were individually Grade II Listed.

During the recent renovation, each of the listed elements of the complex were fully restored to their original glory.

The new sports and leisure facilities were built around the original entrance building and grandstand, and the 1930s arch entrance was restored.  The pool itself, now the only remaining example of a 12-sided star-shaped pool in the country, has undergone some changes in the renovation process.

The diving area and boards have been removed, and shallow children's sections added to one end of the pool.  The renovation and construction of the new sport and leisure complex followed a £26 million investment from the London Borough of Hillingdon, London Development Agency, Sport England and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Come over and swim in a true place of history.

Contact the centre for more information.