Jersey lido makes a splash in swimming bestseller

Tuesday 11 June 2019

A best-selling book has named an iconic 124-year-old outdoor pool in Jersey as one of the top lidos to visit nationwide.

‘The Lido Guide’, which recently topped online retail giant Amazon's bestselling chart, included Jersey’s Havre des Pas amongst its UK and Channel Island précis of the top spots to swim out in the open.

Two lido enthusiasts who have co-authored the guide included the southerly St. Helier pool as one of the 130 pools up and down Britain which are worth visiting.

Guernsey’s La Valette pool also made the list. 

Pictured: Havre des Pas was named as part of the 'Lido Guide' compilation.

Dating back to the 1800s, the pool was opened in response to proposals from the Jersey Swimming Club, who wanted to avoid the loss of life at bathing areas around the island by providing a safe environment for swimming.

It went on to enjoy great popularity, particularly in the 1920s and 30s, which resulted in improvements included the addition of new cabins, fresh water showers and an enhanced diving zone.

Its status wavered somewhat after it became rundown following the Occupation, but investment in the area in later decades helped return the distinctive blue and white Art Deco-style zone to favour among families and visitors. These days, it's a hub for not only swimming, but music, events and even weddings.

Pictured: The outdoor swimmers named Jersey and Guernsey lidos in their nationwide guide.

One of The Lido Guide's authors, Emma Pusill, who has dedicated much of her career to advising and supporting outdoor pools under threat of closure or working towards restoration, told Express: “The Channel Islands’ unique beauty extends to the Guernsey and Jersey pools that we feature in the Lido Guide.  

“They are important part of the landscape of outdoor swimming, and for the sake of inclusivity it was important to us to have La Valette and Havre de Pas in the book.

"They should be an essential stop on the itinerary of any swimmer visiting the Channel Islands from the UK." 

Pictured: Havre des Pas was described as "an essential stop on the itinerary of any swimmer visiting the Channel Islands".

Together with her fellow author Janet Wilkinson, the pair have established a national lido conference to bring lido operators and enthusiasts together.

Their accolade comes after plans were announced to make the area surrounding Jersey’s lido “a more place to live and work in and to visit.”

The revamp proposals suggest introducing a water bus, art trails and even an outdoor cinema to the traditional seaside spot.