We had an amazing day at The Strand Lido in Gillingham and I wanted to share all the details so that you can have a fantastic outing too!
We drove straight from south London, and it took us approximately an hour to reach the lido. There’s a convenient car park available, and I used the Ringo app to pay £2.79 for 4 hours of parking.
If you’re considering public transportation, Gillingham seems to be the nearest station. It’s just 4 stops away from London Bridge, which also has a soft play area that I recently discovered. From Gillingham station, you can either enjoy a 20-minute walk or opt for a taxi ride to reach the lido.
To secure your entry into the lido, it’s necessary to book a session in advance. You can make your booking through their website. Please note that opening times are subject to change, so it’s advisable to contact them directly if you have any doubts.
The outdoor pool at The Strand Lido operates in two sessions: Session 1 is from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm, and Session 2 is from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm. Ticket prices are as follows: adults – £6.80, juniors – £4.50, seniors – £4.50, and under 3s can enter for free without requiring a ticket or pre-booking.
I must warn you, though, that the water is absolutely freezing!
Aside from the pool, there are several other facilities available at The Strand Lido:
- On-site pool inflatable shop: They only accept card payments, and I ended up paying £4 for a pair of goggles for my little one since we forgot to bring them from home.
- Poolside cafe: If you’re curious about prices, I paid £6 for a cheeseburger and a can of Tango.
- Changing areas: Although we didn’t use them, I can’t provide feedback on their cleanliness.
- Toilets: Similarly, we didn’t use them, so I can’t comment on their cleanliness either.
- Showers: The showers are located outdoors.
- Lockers: We didn’t utilize the lockers, but I noticed a sign stating that they cost £2.
It’s important to mention that The Strand Lido does not offer seating or sunbeds for visitors. However, you are more than welcome to bring your own seating arrangements and sunbeds to make your stay comfortable. They allow you to bring your own food and drinks, so feel free to pack a picnic or snacks to enjoy during your visit.
So, right outside the lido, there’s a spot where you can grab some doughnuts and another café. Just to give you an idea of prices, I paid £3.70 for a can of Fanta and some ice cream. Yum! Oh, and in case you forgot to bring lunch (happens to the best of us), don’t worry! There’s a Lidl and an Asda just a short drive away. So, you can grab some grub easily.
There are two playgrounds around. The one directly across from the lido was little miss’ favourite (check out the pic below). Oh, and if you’re up for some bouncing fun, there’s a bouncy castle too! It’s £3 for a 10-minute jump session.
But wait, there’s more! Right opposite this playground, there’s a smaller one with a sandpit. Kids can have a blast building sandcastles there. And you know what’s really cool? They’ve got a miniature railway too! It’s £2 per person, but it’s just for the little ones under 7.
I hope this information helps you plan an enjoyable day at The Strand Lido in Gillingham!
