Hull could see the return of a lido, with plans to potentially reopen a facility that would become one of only two in the entire city. The original East Park lido, once a beloved local hotspot, closed in 1984 and was demolished in 1988, with animal houses built on the site.
History of the East Park Lido
The East Park lido in Hull was an iconic destination during its heyday. On hot days, children would race down Holderness Road toward the park, towel in hand and ice lolly in the other. During the 1970s, when strikes and power cuts dampened community spirit and money was scarce, the park offered free fun and relaxation for thousands. Families, teenagers, and young couples flocked to the lido to cool off or soak up the sun, especially during the record-breaking summer of 1976.
Closure and Demolition
In 1979, rumours of the lido's closure surfaced, but Councillor Harry Woodford, then Chairman of Hull Leisure Services Committee, firmly denied them as hearsay, according to HullLive. Despite this, the lido faced years of decline. It finally closed in 1984 and was demolished in 1988, filled in, and replaced by animal enclosures.
New Lido Proposal
In June, councillors agreed to explore the feasibility of reinstalling a lido in East Park. If approved, it would join the Albert Avenue Pools and Fitness lido, which reopened in 2023 after a £10.5 million refurbishment, as Hull's only council-run lidos. East Park itself is Grade II listed and already features other attractions, including the Grade II listed Splash Boat, a water ride built in 1929 that takes riders down a 30.5-metre drop into the boating lake. The ride operates on weekends, bank holidays, and school holidays, costing £2 per ride. Swan pedalos are also available at £2 per person.
City's Resurgence
Hull, once dubbed one of the worst places to live in the UK in the 2003 book C*** Towns: The 50 Worst Places to Live in the UK, has experienced a revival. National Geographic named it one of the “best places in the world to travel in 2026”, and a new lido could further boost its appeal.
