Guide to lockers at the UK’s historic swimming pools and lidos

After a mishap with a new pound coin in a locker that didn’t accept them, I decided to create this handy quick reference guide to the lockers in many beloved swimming pools across the UK. Here’s what you need to know about locking your stuff away before you visit:

Arundel Lido – lockers cost £1 and users pay a £5 deposit to be given a key at reception. The £5 is returned when the key is returned.

Beccles Lido – returnable £1 coin.

Bourne Outdoor Swimming Pool – purchase a locker key on a wristband for £1.20 from reception. When you return the key after your swim, £1 will be given back to you.

Bramley Baths – trolley token – the receptionist will lend you one if you haven’t brought one with you.

Brightlingsea Lido – no lockers available. Keep valuables within sight.

Buckfastleigh Open Air Pool – baskets are provided to be taken poolside.

Bude Sea Pool – returnable £1 coin.

Cirencester Open Air Pool – returnable £1 coin. Showers are operated with a 20p piece.

City Baths, Newcastle – padlock for dry side changing. Returnable £1 coin for wet side changing.

Clevedon Marine Lake – no lockers. Make sure your items don’t get washed away when the tide comes in.

Gateshead Leisure Centre – tokens can be purchased from reception for 20p.

Gourock Open Air Pool – old pound coin or trolley token. You can buy a trolley token for £1 at reception. Do not put a new £1 into these lockers, as it will be swallowed up.

Haltwhistle Swimming & Leisure Centre – returnable £1 coin.

Hathersage Swimming Pool – returnable £1 coin.

Helmsley Open Air Pool – no lockers. Most people leave their belongings by the side of the pool to keep an eye on them.

Hilsea Lido – no lockers. Keep your belongings in the area around the pool and valuables in your vehicle or in a safe space at reception.

Ilkley Lido – returnable £1 coin.

Ironmonger Row Baths – returnable £1 coin or trolley token.

Lido Ponty – returnable £1 coin or trolley token.

London Fields Lido – returnable £1 coin or trolley token.

Mounts Baths – bring your own padlock. These are not available from reception.

Nantwich Outdoor Brine Pool – returnable £1 coin.

Park Road Lido – bring your own padlock or buy one from reception.

Parliament Hill Lido – a free basket system. Pop your belongings in the metal basket and get a wristband when you hand it in at reception. Return the wristband to get your items back.

Pells Pool – lockers are free, but you need to leave something as a guarantee at reception to be given a key. This is usually a debit card.

Portobello Swim Centre – returnable £1 coin.

Oasis Outdoor Pool – lockers are operated with a 20p coin, which is retained. (A padlock system is expected to be implemented around April 2020 – watch this space.)

Sandford Parks Lido – locker tokens cost £1 and can be purchased from reception.

Stonehaven Open Air Pool – returnable £1 coin.

Walpole Bay Tidal Pool – no lockers. Leave valuables at home.

Western Baths – some lockers operate with tokens from reception, while the others are self-locking with just the key.

Withington Baths – returnable £1 coin.

Wivey Pool – no lockers – keep an eye on your stuff.

Every effort is made to ensure this guide is up-to-date, but if you notice locker policies have changed, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Thanks – Barefoot Em