Sea Lanes bids to turn Winchester’s River Park into England’s newest lido
Sea Lanes, operator of Brighton’s iconic seafront lido and the recently upgraded Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth, has lodged a formal bid with Winchester City Council to transform the River Park Leisure Centre into a year-round outdoor swimming pool. The proposal, supported by a community group and costed by Design Engine Architects, faces a June decision as Hampshire campaigners eye a fresh wave of public swimming revival.
Sea Lanes Brighton has formally bid to convert Winchester’s disused River Park Leisure Centre into a state-of-the-art lido, submitting a fully costed masterplan and initial concept visuals to Winchester City Council this spring. The operator, which also runs the newly reopened Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth and Brighton’s seafront lido, confirmed its proposal includes an outdoor swimming pool, splash pad, and food concessions ahead of a June council vote.
Harry Smith, Sea Lanes director, said the bid emerged from months of collaboration with the Winchester Lido community group, which first contacted Sea Lanes in late 2023. “We responded to public demand,” Smith told this newspaper. “There’s real momentum behind outdoor swimming in Hampshire. Our plans align with what residents have told the council they want—a permanent, accessible water space with community benefits.” The council’s consultation earlier this year showed overwhelming support for a lido on the site.
Key Points
- ✅ Formal bid submitted by Sea Lanes Brighton for River Park site
- ⚡ Proposal includes outdoor pool, splash pad, and food options
- 💡 Decision expected in June 2025
Sea Lanes’ vision extends beyond a seasonal pool. The company has pledged to operate the facility year-round, a rarity in southern England where most open-air pools close in winter. Thermal modeling by Design Engine Architects suggests the pool could remain open even during colder months, using passive solar gain and windbreaks integrated into the existing building’s shell.
| Lido Feature | River Park Proposal | Hilsea Lido (Portsmouth) |
|---|---|---|
| Pool Type | Outdoor, heated | Outdoor, unheated |
| Year-Round Access | Yes | No |
| Food Offerings | Planned | Yes |
| Splash Pad | Yes | No |
Cllr Kathleen Becker, Winchester City Council’s Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities, confirmed the council is nearing the end of its decision-making process for River Park. “Public feedback has been consistent: people want a lido,” she said. “The council is prioritising a June decision to ensure local control before any structural reorganisation. We’re not ruling in or out any single proposal—we’re listening.” Becker added that any chosen bidder would face further public consultation before final approval.
💡 Pro Tip
Check the council’s website for the full bid documents before the June vote. Residents can submit comments directly to the planning portal—every voice counts in shaping the final outcome.
Winchester’s last lido, which operated in Worthy Lane from the 1930s until the 1970s, remains a nostalgic touchstone for older residents. Campaigners point to rising temperatures and post-pandemic demand for outdoor recreation as reasons to revive the concept. Nearby Petersfield Lido, rebranded last month after a year-round upgrade, now operates a permanent sauna and serves as a model for community-led aquatic projects.
📋 By The Numbers
- 1930s — Year Winchester’s original lido opened
- 1970s — Year the original lido was demolished
- 2023 — Year the Winchester Lido community group formed
- 2025 — Target year for River Park lido decision
The Hampshire bid sits within a broader regional trend. In 2024, Hampshire County Council allocated £2.1 million to upgrade outdoor swimming facilities across the county, with Petersfield, Petersfield Lido, and Petersfield Lido Trust receiving grants to extend winter operations. Sea Lanes’ involvement in both Brighton and Portsmouth suggests a growing private-sector appetite for reviving historic lidos, a model now being tested in Winchester.
- Consultation phase — Council wraps public feedback by April 2025
- Decision window — Final vote expected June 2025
- Implementation — Earliest possible opening: summer 2027, pending funding and construction
Smith stressed that while Sea Lanes’ bid is water-focused, other proposals may emerge. “We believe our experience and community ties give us an edge,” he said. “But we respect the process. If the council chooses another path, we’ll support whatever brings a lido to Winchester.” The River Park site, once a hub of indoor leisure, could soon become a landmark for outdoor swimming in southern England—if the council agrees.