Our Mission Statement
Following the successful restoration and re-opening of the Cleveland Pools, the Trust will continue to care for and protect Britain’s oldest lido.
We will ensure the pools are managed and maintained to the highest standards and remain a community pool – affordable and open to all.
We will celebrate and share the history and heritage of our site collaborating with people of all ages and abilities.
We will listen to our communities and keep their health and wellbeing at our heart.
Britain's Oldest Lido. Our Local Pools.
Who will operate the pools on a day-to-day basis?
Fusion Lifestyle have been appointed to operate the Pools. Fusion Lifestyle is a UK registered charity created to promote the benefits of healthy lifestyles and encourage participation in sport, physical and cultural activity. The company currently manages 60 facilities across the UK, including Brockwell Park and Shepton Mallet lidos.
The relationship between Fusion Lifestyle and Cleveland Pools Trust
The Cleveland Pools Trust is a heritage charity, established in 2005 to save the historic site in Hampton Row, Bath, that had not been used for bathing since 1984.
The trust never intended or is able to operate a leisure facility for swimming and always stated that it would make suitable arrangements for the running and management of the pools by an appropriate leisure operator following restoration. Now achieved, the trust has been in negotiations with Fusion Lifestyle to take over its interest in the pools on a full repairing and insuring long term sub-lease to open the pools for swimming throughout the year.
Fusion Lifestyle is to take over full responsibility for the site and will continue to work with the trust’s multi-talented body of dedicated volunteers who will work with heritage visitors, education, interpretation and research and enabling access for disadvantaged groups.
The trust will continue to monitor the work of Fusion Lifestyle through a joint committee that has established a series of key performance indicators. The trust will receive a small rental income, a share of surplus funds and jointly manage a sinking fund which will hold resources for any major replacements and renewals in the future.
The Cleveland Pools Trust holds a 150 year lease from the freeholder, Bath and North East Somerset Council.
Swimming
How do I book a swim?
Via the Cleveland Pools or Fusion Lifestyle websites or download the Fusion Lifestyle app and search for Cleveland Pools. You’ll need to register if you are a first time user but after that booking a swim is a simple three click process. If you experience any difficulty or have any further enquiries, please email Clevelandpools@fusion-lifestyle.com
How much will it cost?
Adult Concession
Swimming £6 £4
Monthly swim pass £35
Who is eligible for concessionary prices?
If you're a Bath resident and meet any of the following criteria, you could be eligible. To receive concessionary pricing, come to the pools with your proof of eligibility and proof of address, show it to the team and they’ll set up your account. Then you can book your concession tickets on the Fusion Lifestyle app or website.
● Senior - 65 years+
Proof required: Birth certificate / Passport / Driving Licence / Freedom Pass
● A full-time student
Proof required: Letter from school, college or university with dates of the course stating you are in full-time education (20 hours+)
● A member of the armed forces
Proof required: Proof of employment
● Receiving Jobseekers Allowance
Proof required: A recent letter from the Department of Work and Pensions
● Receiving Income Allowance
Proof required: A recent letter from the relevant organisation
● Registered Disabled - Blue Badge holder or in receipt of disability benefit.
Proof required: A Blue Badge or recent letter from the Department of Work and Pensions
● Asylum Seeker
Proof required: A recent letter from a relevant organisation.
Can I just turn up and swim?
Yes, priority will be given to those who book in advance but if the pool is not already at capacity, then you can turn up and swim in the designated sessions. We would always recommend booking in advance.
Please note Cleveland Pools is a non-cash site so you will need a method of payment such as a credit or debit card.
In the Autumn/Winter season, because of the nature of the site and unpredictable weather, means that we are unlikely to offer a season ticket. During these times the pools will be operated on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Will there be season tickets available?
Fusion is considering offering season tickets from 2024 for the heated swimming season, April to September.
In the Autumn/Winter season the nature of the site and unpredictable weather means that we are unlikely to offer a season ticket. During these times the pools will be operated on a pay as you go basis.
What are the opening hours?
Please see the Fusion Lifestyle website or the Fusion Lifestyle app. The opening hours will vary throughout the year in response to the weather conditions, temperature, light levels, noise, customer demand, bookings and a need to be considerate to the local neighbours.
What will the water temperature be?
This will vary seasonally.. As an outdoor lido temperatures will fluctuate based on weather and external factors. From 2024 in spring/summer the pools will be heated by our water source heat pump. when we anticipate temperatures could reach up to 28 degrees.
Will there be cold water swimming in the autumn/winter?
Yes, we recognise that there is an increasing amount of interest in cold water swimming. Sessions will be offered on a pay as you go basis or a monthly swim pass for unlimited swim sessions for £35 a month. To do so please register. In the autumn/winter the heat pump will be turned off and the temperature will drop to around 5 degrees over time. Here's some very important guidelines for you to be aware of before cold water swimming at Cleveland Pools
Age Restrictions: When the water temperature reaches 15 degrees Celsius, children under 16 years of age will no longer be allowed to swim.
Recommended Attire: For water temperatures at 15 degrees Celsius or lower, we strongly recommend wearing swim gloves, socks, and a hat to maintain body heat.
For Beginners: If you're new to cold water swimming, we suggest wearing a wetsuit for your initial swims to acclimatize to the lower temperatures.
Below 15°C: When the water temperature falls below 15 degrees Celsius, first-time cold water swimmers are required to stay in areas where they can touch the floor with their feet for added safety.
Lifeguard Assistance: If you ever need guidance or support related to cold water swimming during your session, please don't hesitate to approach one of our trained lifeguards.
Can I wear a wetsuit or rash vest?
Yes
Are lockers available?
There are small lockers on site. They are only suitable for small bags or valuables. You will need to bring your own small padlock, for example a luggage padlock, to secure your locker.
Is there chlorine in the pools?
Yes, chlorine is our primary source of disinfection.
Where does the water in the pools come from?
When the Pools first opened in 1817 they were river fed but this is no longer possible due to the level of contaminants in the river. Both pools are now filled with mains water.
Is there a pool suitable for children?
Yes. We have a children’s pool which is 0.8m deep next to the main pool which is 2m at its deepest point.
Can I bring inflatables?
There will be special sessions when inflatables will be allowed but for normal sessions inflatables will not be permitted.
Can I bring my pet?
Animals are not permitted on site unless they are guide or support dogs.
Will there be much noise?
Sound emitted from the Pools won’t be much different from what is heard now across the river from Kensington Meadows. Managing ‘sound leakage’ was part of the architects’ design brief and the Bath and North East Somerset Council required an acoustic study based on sound leakage, the recommendations of which were added to the conditions attached to the planning permission. On hot sunny days in summer, at maximum occupancy, it could get fairly noisy during peak times (as it did historically).
What will you do about flooding from the river next to the site?
The lower section of Cleveland Pools is situated on a flood plain, with the possibility of flooding during the autumn/winter season. Contingency plans have been carefully established to address any such occurrences. Following a flood, Fusion Lifestyle will promptly initiate cleanup operations once the waters have receded. Fusion Lifestyle and Cleveland Pools Trust are committed to working efficiently together to restore normal operations as swiftly as possible. While the timeframe for the cleanup cannot be guaranteed due to varying flood levels and post-flood weather conditions, every effort will be made to minimize any delays or impacts to swimming.