Wild-ish swimming
Ilkley Lido
One of England's surviving 1930s open-air pools, set in parkland near the River Wharfe with the moor as a backdrop.
A 1930s survivor
Ilkley Lido opened in 1935, during the great inter-war boom in open-air pools. Many lidos of that era have since closed, which makes Ilkley's all the more treasured. The main pool is a large, unusual curved shape with a central island and fountain, and it is unheated, so expect bracing water. A heated indoor pool on the same site operates year-round.
The lido is run by Bradford Council and is typically open in the summer season only, with the outdoor pool's dates and hours depending on staffing and weather. A community group supports the pool and has campaigned for its upkeep.
Nearby
The lido sits on the north side of town near the river, so it pairs nicely with a riverside stroll, a picnic, or a walk up through Middleton Woods.