Places to eat and swim in Bristol - The amazing Clfton Lido

Places to eat and swim in Bristol - The amazing Clfton Lido

A great place to Eat and Swim in Bristol - Clifton Lido

Some months ago over a relaxing dinner with a group of good friends the conversation turned to recreational pursuits, although none of us wanted to imbibe in enegetic sport at that time, open air swimming pools was the subject under discussion.

I recalled that in my youth, when I lived in Henleaze, on sunny days in the summer holidays we, namely a bunch of spotty faced schoolboys, would take ourselves off to the Clifton open air swimming baths, a dilapidated Victorian bathing station built in 1850 tucked away just off Oakfield road. It was, to say the least, tatty with rust running down the iron balustrades in red and brown streaks but we loved it. It's funny array of changing cubicles down each side of the pool where if lucky one might glimpse a semi naked young lady through the flimsy curtains whilst cruising up and down the pool and pretending not to look in that direction. It was a great place to meet girls as we grew older and bolder because in the swinging sixties life was changing and looking back it seems that we spent a great deal of time there.

Anyway, I digress, my main point is that as I was regaling my childhood escapades about this fascinating little place it turned out that nobody knew what I was talking about and although mostly Bristolians or at least residents of the Bristol area for many years they had never heard of this wonderful place. As I explained where it was they grew even more mystified about its existence. I then explained that by the time I left Bristol some years ago it had already fallen into complete disrepair and was ultimately closed. So it was with a sad heart we agreed that this icon would not have been saved by the council and assumed had probably been sold off to developers. We all know what "assume" does!

Some weeks later I was relating this story to a friend and to my amazement, she is a Londoner not a Bristolian, who immediately knew where I meant and is a regular user of the facility." What! is it still there?" "Of couse" she said "it is a very smart and upmarket swimming club". Fantastic, so I then started to look into the Clifton Lido' further and it appears that after many false starts it was bought by the Glass Boat Company' who I understand spent a fortune on renovation and innovation, transforming this Victorian jewel into the glorious watering hole it is today.

Now, one can swim in the beautifully heated pool and take afternoon tea - all for the princely sum of 30.00 what value! The lido also offers a spa and holistic treatment rooms for massage using organic products. There is a poolside bar and the Lido restaurant with a mouth watering menu, all a million miles away from the crumbling, rusty, dilapidated pool we enjoyed as kids. Of course, we wouldn't be allowed in today for a shilling, but that's progress I guess but hey, it is still there, and do you know the one thing that brings back so many memories remember the young ladies - the changing cubicles down one side of the pool, still there! Well worth a visit, even just for lunch, a special piece of Bristol's heritage. For more restaurants and bars visit Activ Bristol.

POST COMMENT

Anti-Wrinkle Creams Containing Collagen and Elastin That Stimulates Collagen - Are they Effective? Buy essay in a simplest and fastest way President Bill Clinton and rubber stamping Ignored Scholarship and Grant Funding: Are You Forgetting Some Opportunities Nylon and Polypro Webbings: Pros and Cons Do You Over Dry Your Skin and Forget to Hydrate It Display your gadget with Desktop holder The Protective And Inexpensive Shade Canopy Explore Apple iPad - A Magnetic Gadget Philanthropy Forecast for 2010 and Beyond Penile Contraptions and Extenders: Is it Safe? The Reasons Why Husbands Leave: And How Knowing These Reasons Can Help To Get Yours Back Chicken and Roasted Vegetables With Garlic and Rosemary