Children's Pool Parties
A great place to spend time with friends and have fun!
Book the children's pool for your own private party
Cheltenham Lido is offering exclusive use of their Children’s Pool for private bookings. The pool can accommodate up to 30 swimmers (including both adults and children) and a total of 45 people, including spectators. The cost of each booking is £111 for a 55-minute session, and guests are allowed to bring their own food and drinks (excluding glass containers) or purchase refreshments from the on-site cafe.
We do kindly ask that food is set up on the verandas to clear the small pool area as quickly as possible for the next party the enjoy the area.
If you are planning on having more than 30 swimmers, we ask you email admin@cheltenhamlido.co.uk, as we will need to provide an additional lifeguard at an additional cost.
Children's pool procedures
When booking a private hire, guests are required to follow all site and pool rules set by Cheltenham Lido. The lead booker is responsible for informing all attendees of these rules, and they will be contacted by the Lido in case of any issues.
Please note that refunds can only be issued if the Lido is closed due to extreme weather, and cancellations are not eligible for refunds.
If you are interested in booking a private hire of the Children’s Pool at Cheltenham Lido, you can click on the provided link to access the booking page
FAQ's
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Is there parking available on site?
We have a large car park suitable for over 163 cars which sits directly outside of the Lido. Parking fees start at £2.20 Both coins and cards are accepted and you can also pay by phone. It’s a great location if you are using the hospital, local parks or walking into Cheltenham Town Centre.
Where possible, we encourage that you walk or cycle to the Lido. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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Do you have a refund policy if I am unable to use the pool?
Refunds are not permitted on swim entry tickets. You will be able to transfer your swim to an alternative day or time if you have given 24 hours notice.
If you need assistance please email admin@sandfordparkslido.org.uk
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Can children be left without an adult on site?
We are committed to working with parents to create a safe environment for children.
All children under the age of 8 should always be accompanied by a guardian aged 16 years or over, this person may be responsible for up to two children. Guardians must maintain constant supervision particularly in the water and changing rooms. We advise that children under the age of 5 should be supervised on a one-to-one basis.
Parents have a specific responsibility for the safety of their own children, this cannot be abdicated to lifeguards. The role of the lifeguard is to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all swimmers.
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How are queues managed on busy hot days?
We have four queues available;
- One season ticket holders, who have booked,
- One for paying customers who have booked,
- One for Season ticket holders who have not booked
- One for paying customers who have not booked
We allow all those who have booked onto site first and then we will allow entry to others customers who have not booked onto site.
If we have hit site capacity, we will move to a 1-out-1-in scenario.
*Please note Season Ticket holders who have not booked will get priority entry*
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How much are season Tickets?
Single Adult -£190
Joint ST – £330
Concession* – £120
Family of 3 – £340
Family of 4 – £351
*Concessions include; over 65s, registered disabled, unemployed/low income, children aged 5-17 in full time education and students.
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How big is the pool?
The main pool is 50m x 27.35m and has a depth of 1m in the shallow end and 1.75-2.75 in the deep end
The children’s pool is 15.9m x 7.51m and has a depth of 0.5m in the shallow end and 0.8m in the deep end.
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The wait is almost over… cold water swimming is BACK! ❄️💙
Our 2026/27 cold water swimming timetable has arrived, and we’re looking forward to welcoming our winter swimmers back to the Lido from Saturday 24 October!
Whether you’re a familiar face returning for another season or thinking about taking your very first cold-water dip, there’s a place for you in our winter swimming community.
Before we take the plunge, here are a few things to know! 👇🏻
❄️ New to cold water swimming?
Our Cold Water Swimming Inductions with Laura are a great starting point if you’re curious but haven’t tried it before. Learn the essentials of safe cold-water swimming in a supportive environment.
🌡️ Take your time and acclimatise.
As the heating switches off, our pool temperature will naturally decrease alongside the changing weather. Take advantage of this gradual transition, listen to your body and never feel pressured to stay in longer than you’re comfortable with.
💙 Look out for one another.
One of the best parts of winter swimming is the community! If someone appears to be struggling, please alert a lifeguard immediately.
☕ Warm up at the café
Our heated café will be open during our swimming sessions, with plenty of hot drinks available to enjoy after your dip. Not swimming? No problem! There’s no spectator admission charge during winter, so you’re welcome to visit the Lido and enjoy the café without getting in the water.
🚿 A little reminder about showers.
Our showers will remain operational, but cold water only. After your swim, dry off, get dressed in warm layers and allow your body to warm up gradually rather than using sudden intense heat.
🎟️ Swim your way.
You don’t need a winter swimming ticket to join us! Pay As You Go sessions are available, alongside monthly and full winter ticket options for those planning to swim regularly - offering better value for our frequent swimmers.
Here’s to chilly mornings, familiar faces, hot drinks and another wonderful winter of swimming together.
Who’s joining us for the first dip of the season? ❄️💙
#coldwaterswimming #coldwater #winterseason #cheltenhamlido #cheltenham
Cold water curious? Or always fancied giving wild swimming a go? 👀❄️
Perhaps you’ve watched our winter swimmers from the sidelines, heard about the benefits or simply wondered what all the fuss is about…
Well, this could be your sign to give it a go!
As we prepare for another cold water season at Cheltenham Lido, we’re delighted to be offering Cold Water Swimming Inductions with @glowswimcoach , designed to help you take those first steps with confidence.
And there’s no better time to start! As we switch off the heating, our pool temperature will gradually decrease alongside the autumn weather, offering a great opportunity to begin acclimatising as the season progresses.
💙 What can you expect?
Led by Laura, a Lido regular, qualified Open Water Coach and experienced cold water swimmer, these sessions will introduce you to safe cold water swimming, including what to expect, how to enter the water gradually and how to approach your winter swims safely and confidently.
🌊 Interested in wild swimming too?
These inductions are also a great starting point for anyone curious about wild or open-water swimming. Understanding how your body responds to colder water, learning safe entry techniques and building confidence are valuable foundations for future outdoor swimming adventures.
Whether you’re completely new, interested in exploring the benefits or simply want to learn more before taking the plunge, Laura will be there to guide and support you.
📅 Upcoming induction dates:
❄️ 25 October
❄️ 1 November
❄️ 7 November
❄️ 22 November
❄️ 13 December
❄️ 9 January
⏰ All sessions: 9:30–11:00am
🎟️ £20 per person
📍 Cheltenham Lido
Cold water swimming isn’t about how long you can stay in or how cold you can go. It’s about understanding your body, respecting the water and enjoying the experience safely.
Ready to take the plunge? 💦
Book your induction via our website and discover what cold water swimming is all about this winter!
#coldwaterswimming #inductions #cheltenham #wildswimming #coldwater
🐾 Coming to Dog Swim this weekend? Here’s what you need to know!
A few important reminders before you and your pup arrive:
🐶 Harnesses are strongly advised - particularly if you’re not entering the water, so you can safely help your dog out of the pool and reduce the risk of claw injuries.
🦮 Dogs must be kept on leads when walking around site and when not entering the water.
🚿 Please shower your dog after their swim due to the chlorine products used in the pool. Showers are available, but dogs are not permitted inside the indoor changing rooms.
💩 Bring poo bags and please use the correct general waste bins - not recycling.
🎟️ TICKET UPDATE: All morning sessions are now SOLD OUT, with very limited afternoon availability across the weekend.
⚠️ This is a PRE-BOOKED EVENT ONLY - there will be no walk-ins on the day.
See you this weekend! 🐾💦
#dogswim #thingstodo #cheltenhamlido #thelido #event
One last heated swim? 🏊🏽♀️
This Friday marks the end of our 2026 heated swimming season - so if you’ve been meaning to squeeze in one final swim before we turn off the heating, this is your reminder!
🏊🏼 Final public Lane Swim
⏰ 7:15am–10:15am
Our final opportunity for everyone to enjoy the heated pool this season.
💙 Season Ticket Holders ONLY
⏰ 11:00am–2:00pm
The afternoon is reserved exclusively for our Season Ticket Holders, giving our members one final chance to enjoy the pool together and see out the season.
And then… we hand the Lido over to the dogs! 🐶💦
Our Dee & Griffin Dog Swim takes over for the weekend before we begin the transition into cold water swimming ❄️
So, fancy one last heated dip?
Come on down this Friday and make those final lengths count!
#cheltenhamlido #outdoorswimming #finalreminder #cheltenham
