Saltdean Lido — Attraction in England

Providing you’re NOT disabled Saltdean Lido is an attractive outdoor pool. But disabled are discriminated against in a most unacceptable way. There are supposed to be accessible changing facilities, a feature that is debatable.

There is a door marked ‘Accessible Change’… but you have to ask for it to be unlocked BUT once inside there is no way if locking the door! The staff will not release their ONLY key.

Inside there is a motorised hoist, an adult sized changing table, shower, toilet & hand-basin. The toilet is opposite and around 3m from the door. The door gives a view of the length of the pool.. and likewise, with the door open, the pool looks into the facility

This anyone using this unlockable facility is faced with the prospect of having the door opened exposing them to the gaze the whole pool!

When I asked if one of the female members of staff would ever consider using that loo, was told, unsurprisingly, “no!“

I understand the site manager has for some time been investigating fitting a new lock.

THAT IS SIMPLY NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!

The local authority can advise in a matter of minutes where to obtain a RADAR lock.

But the discrimination doesn’t end there - the changing bed did not appear to be connected and working, but maybe that’s so ethi g else o e has to ask for.

It was also annoying to see that the shower is apparently fitted ONLY with a COLD water shower… and a fixed shower at that!

It also appears no one ever cleans the facility.. as at the time I took the picture… the daily cleaning report sheet for the week was unsigned… for all I know that unsigned sheet could have been there for years, it certainly looked that way from the state of the shower floor!

It is so sad to see what could be such an otherwise excellent facility made so difficult & unwelcoming to the visitors it is intended to help.

For Saltdean Lido’s lack of care towards disabled users.. who, since canines have a whole month devoted to doggy swimming, appear to rank lower than dogs - I give it one star!

Get your act together Saltdean Lido… and why not put on some ‘special’ swimming sessions for...

I absolutely love this place.I come here on numerous occasions since it opened and have always been happy with the food/service etc. However,the car park opposite which used to be free (I'm not sure if this area has always been part of the lido) is now run by a private company. You get two hours free parking if using the Lido (no problem) but have to pay over the two hours (again no problem ),but you can't pay at the desk in reception.I refuse to sign up for these parking apps now as when I did so in Hove money was being taken from my bank account monthly (sorted now) I have no issue with paying cash but that seems impossible now.My intention was to park,go for a cycle ride which would have been over the two hours.Return to my car,go into the restaurant there for refreshment. Only to be told by the guy on reception (who was helpful generally👍) that I would have to eat before my cycle ride in case I didn't return later to eat.He said people just used the car park for free and not using the Lido facilities. What really annoyed me though was the fact this was on the hottest day this year so far on a Saturday afternoon and the car park was half empty.Something I have never seen before. Not sure if this is part of the systematic process of the general hatred of cars in the Brighton area or another chance to be ripped off by pirate private car parking services. Anyway,I found some free parking not far away,did the cycle ride and went to eat elsewhere.Another venue being stiffed by private parking. As an extra,I was chatting to some people in said car park,many confused about the parking and some with horror stories about it. As stated,I love Saltdean Lido.I used to drive past it when it was derelict many years ago.I only hope the pox that is private parking doesn't kill it...

Was okay, not worth the money to be honest. All the grass is dead so not comfy to sit/lay on. Went to higher a sun bed (one for £6 or two for £10) but they apparently had none left. I counted about 10 sun beds that people where using, just think it's rediculousre that they only have that amount of sun beds for a pool of this size.

Cafe was very limited, just crisps, bog standard ice cremes and cold bottled drinks (all over priced). They had no tea or coffee this day, not sure why.

Changing room building block is still not finished.... Pool isn't exactly clean, lots of dead grass floating on the top, I know this can't be helped but I suppose it could if the grass wasn't all dead in the first place! Personally think Astro turf would be perfect!

The only good thing I can say about it is if you have young children the kids water play bit is quiet cool, however is very cramped!!!

As we were leaving they had reached capacity so we're stopping people entering, some people in the que had pre-booked tickets online! So this is obviously not worth doing as they clearly don't calculate the online bookings when allowing people in all day. We arrived around 11am and bought all day tickets, however was not given any wrist band as such so struggled to figure out how the people who pay for just one session are identified and asked to leave when the session is over. I'm assuming people just stayed after paying for morning session because it became a lot more busy in the afternoon!

I don't recommend the lido to be honest, but if you do go, make sure to take plenty of food and drink and TAKE CHAIRS!!!!! having to do this though, you may as well just go to the beach which is free and a short walk through...