Savills Portugal

There's nothing quite like a swim outdoors on a summer's day – and for those without their own pool, a lido is the perfect alternative.

The popularity of outdoor pools and lidos took off in the 1930s thanks to Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim the Channel in 1926. Since then, their fortunes have ebbed and flowed and they have seen somewhat of a revival, many having had their futures secured by local campaigners and charities.

This Sunday the UK’s oldest lido, Cleveland Pools in Bath, is welcoming back eager swimmers after a 20-year campaign by Cleveland Pools Trust, which fought to restore the Grade II listed Georgian pool to its former glory. Built in 1817, it had been frequented by the public for generations before being closed in the 1980s.

There are over 100 lidos across the UK – of which many offer something unique.

In London, where there are 17 outdoor pools, Tooting Bec is said to be the largest freshwater pool in the UK, while the pool in London Fields offers Olympic proportions.

Many are now more than just a place to swim – Bristol Lido has an award-winning restaurant offering diners a view of the pool, while the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty, has a themed children's adventure play area.

Here we take a dip into a selection of homes for sale that are conveniently close to a lido.