Chipping Norton Lido
Chipping Norton Lido (a lido is an outdoor public area for swimming) can be found at the top of Fox Close, off Albion Street in Chipping Norton.
About Chipping Norton Lido
Set in safe, secure and well-maintained grounds overlooking the countryside Chipping Norton Lido has a 25m pool of crystal clear water with a water slide at the deep end.
The weather shouldn't be a deterrent as the water is heated to a minimum of 27° C, so even in a traditional British summer you can take the plunge and enjoy a swim. Toddlers can get their first experience of outdoor swimming in the separate toddler pool.
A Brief History of Chippy Lido
In 1932, before the days of a national fire service, Chipping Norton founded a charity and raised £1,000 for its own fire engine.
After the war the government set up a national network of county and metropolitan brigades. All over the country town councils View from the pool recreation areahanded over their engines to the new brigades – but not Chipping Norton. Our town council said it didn’t own the engine – it belonged to the charity and if the government wanted it they would have to pay for it!
The Fire Brigade Charity used the proceeds of the sale to buy a football pitch, a cricket field and tennis courts for the community. Then in 1963 a new fundraising campaign began for a swimming pool to be built . Again the people of Chipping Norton showed what they could do, raising the funds in just 7 years and our open-air pool was opened in 1970.
West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) took over the running of the pool and sub-contracted management of the pool to Wycombe Leisure. Then, in July 2002, the town’s new leisure centre (with its own heated indoor swimming pool) was opened and WODC announced that the outdoor pool was to close.
Thanks to Gary Creese of Chipping Norton Lido website for this information
Chipping Norton Lido - The Future
Chipping Norton Lido Limited and KOPO (Keeping Our Pool Open) are now, one charitable organisation. This was always an option for the group, whose primary concern last year was to have the pool open for business. We now have a new manager in place and a more efficient operation up and running. Charity status will benefit not only the business but the long term fund raising aims of KOPO. It also means your donations allow us to claim Gift Aid, an extra 28p for every pound!
The Lido is currently asking for people to donate £25 for a coping stone. Using Gift Aid will help this £25 donation increase in value to £32.
Chipping Norton Lido - Opening Hours
Chipping Norton Lido is now closed for the season and will re-open in Spring 2007
Contact Chipping Norton Lido
Chipping Norton Lido Limited,
Fox Close, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 5BZ
Telephone: +44 (0)1608 643188