Jump to content

Finchley Lido: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 51°36′16″N 0°10′21″W / 51.6045°N 0.1724°W / 51.6045; -0.1724
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Cydebot (talk | contribs)
6,812,251 edits
m Robot - Speedily moving category Lidos (closed) to Category:Defunct lidos per CFDS.
→Facilities: purely unsourced undated commercial directory
 
(27 intermediate revisions by 16 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
[[File:Finchley lido 2009.png|thumb|250px|The new swimming pool viewed from the cinema]]
[[File:Finchley lido 2009.png|thumb|250px|The new swimming pool viewed from the cinema]]
'''Finchley Lido''' is a leisure complex at {{gbmapping|TQ266911}}, just east of the suburb of [[North Finchley]] in the [[London Borough of Barnet]].
'''Finchley Lido''' is a leisure complex at {{gbmapping|TQ266911}}, just east of the suburb of [[North Finchley]] in the [[London Borough of Barnet]].


Currently there is a swimming pool and leisure centre, cinema, several food restaurants, bowling facilities and large amount of car parking spaces. Finchley Lido is extremely popular with the local population of [[Finchley]] at weekends, as it is one of the only cinema complexes in this area of [[North London]].
Currently there is a swimming pool and leisure centre, cinema, several food restaurants, bowling facilities and large number of car parking spaces. Finchley Lido is extremely popular with the local population of [[Finchley]] at weekends, as it is one of the only cinema complexes in this area of [[North London]].


==History==
==History==
The Finchley Open Air Pool was designed by P T Harrison, from [[Finchley]] [[Borough Council]]. The main heated pool opened on 17 September 1931 and stayed open until 11 November. The following year it was officially opened on 26 March, and on 22 April 1932 the [[Duke of York]] (to become [[King George VI]]) unveiled a ceremonial wall tablet made of [[Staffordshire]] [[marble]], which can be seen to this date. This tablet can now be seen on display behind the counter of [[Nando's]] restaurant, which was built around the original site.
The Finchley Open Air Pool was designed by P T Harrison, from [[Finchley]] [[Borough Council]]. The main heated pool opened on 17 September 1931 and stayed open until 11 November. The following year it was officially opened on 26 March, and on 22 April 1932 the [[Duke of York]] (to become [[King George VI]]) unveiled a ceremonial wall tablet made of [[Staffordshire]] [[marble]], which can be seen to this date. This tablet can now be seen on display behind the counter of [[Nando's]] restaurant, which was built around the original site.


The main heated pool measured {{convert|165|ft|m|abbr=on}} × 80&nbsp;ft, depth ft 3 ins to {{convert|10|ft|m|abbr=on}}, with two fountains. This pool contained at most 456,250 gallons (1,727,094 litres) and had a diving stage of a similar design to Barking Lido, containing a two-stage platform. Finchley Lido was the first swimming pool to introduce [[gay]] [[nudist]] days and events; this was a [[pilot scheme]] which later introduced trials in [[Manchester]]<ref><cite>[http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1043430_outrage_over_naked_swimm Evening News - "Outrage Over Naked Swimming"] Accessed: 4 Apr 08.</cite></ref> and other boroughs in [[London]]. There has been strong objection from the local residents in a stance in the form of stopping their children from using the pool.{{cn|date=March 2013}}
The main heated pool measured {{convert|165|ft|m|abbr=on}} × 80&nbsp;ft, depth ft 3 ins to {{convert|10|ft|m|abbr=on}}, with two fountains. This pool contained at most 456,250 gallons (1,727,094 litres) and had a diving stage of a similar design to Barking Lido, containing a two-stage platform. Finchley Lido was the first swimming pool to introduce [[gay]] [[nudist]] days and events; this was a [[pilot scheme]] which later introduced trials in [[Manchester]]<ref>[http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1043430_outrage_over_naked_swimm Evening News - "Outrage Over Naked Swimming"] Accessed: 4 Apr 08.</ref> and other boroughs in [[London]].


The whole site occupied {{convert|7|acre|m2}}, and there was a car park, with its own uniformed attendant (paid the equivalent of £3 per week in 1932). The main building also possessed a [[burglar alarm]] from 1932.<ref>[http://homepage.ntlworld.com/oliver.merrington/lidos/lidos1closed.htm Oliver Merrington and Andy Hoines' Lidos in the London area no longer open]</ref> The car park was enlarged in 2004 when the original [[Movie theater|cinema]] on the north side of the site was demolished following large-scale flooding.
The whole site occupied {{convert|7|acre|m2}}, and there was a car park, with its own uniformed attendant (paid the equivalent of £3 per week in 1932). The main building also possessed a [[burglar alarm]] from 1932.<ref>[http://homepage.ntlworld.com/oliver.merrington/lidos/lidos1closed.htm Oliver Merrington and Andy Hoines' Lidos in the London area no longer open] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050903094756/http://homepage.ntlworld.com/oliver.merrington/lidos/lidos1closed.htm |date=2005-09-03 }}</ref> The car park was enlarged in 2004 when the original [[Movie theater|cinema]] on the north side of the site was demolished following large-scale flooding.


⚫
On 11 July 1971, the Lido had 11,962 visitors, which remains the record highest attendance in one day for a UK lido.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/oliver.merrington/lidos/lidosfaq.htm |title=Extreme lidos - a Lidos FAQ |publisher=Merrington |date= |accessdate=2009-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100428223335/http://homepage.ntlworld.com/oliver.merrington/lidos/lidosfaq.htm |archive-date=2010-04-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The site was originally purchased for £8.56 million by a local land owner, although it is now believed to be worth in excess of £23.2 million.{{cn|date=March 2013}}


⚫
The original 1930s outdoor pool, which no longer exists, was enclosed by an elegant colonnade of Roman Doric columns, with fountains to either side and was used to host the men's preliminaries to the [[Water polo at the 1948 Summer Olympics|water polo]] competition for the [[1948 Summer Olympics]].<ref>[http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1948/OR1948.pdf 1948 Summer Olympics official report.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716035822/http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1948/OR1948.pdf |date=July 16, 2011 }} p. 49.</ref>
⚫
On 11 July 1971, the Lido had 11,962 visitors, which remains the record highest attendance in one day for a UK lido.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/oliver.merrington/lidos/lidosfaq.htm |title=Extreme lidos - a Lidos FAQ |publisher=Merrington |date= |accessdate=2009-12-01}}</ref>

⚫
The original 1930s outdoor pool, which no longer exists, was enclosed by an elegant colonnade of Roman Doric columns, with fountains to either side and was used to host the men's preliminaries to the [[Water polo at the 1948 Summer Olympics|water polo]] competition for the [[1948 Summer Olympics]].<ref>[http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/1948/OR1948.pdf 1948 Summer Olympics official report.] p. 49.</ref>


The original site with its main pool and children's pool was closed in 1992.
The original site with its main pool and children's pool was closed in 1992.
Line 21: Line 20:
==Facilities==
==Facilities==
[[File:Finchley lido retail park.png|600px|thumb|The north side of the retail park]]
[[File:Finchley lido retail park.png|600px|thumb|The north side of the retail park]]
*
*[[Nando's]]
*[[McDonald's]]
*[[Swimming pool]]
*[[Holiday Inn]]
*[[Vue (cinema)|Vue Cinema]]
*[[Pizza Hut]]
*[[Hollywood Bowl]]
*[[Cafe]]
*[[Chimi Changa]]
*[[Ask_(restaurant)|Ask Italian]]


==References==
==References==
Line 36: Line 26:


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.gll.org/centre/finchley-lido-leisure-centre.asp Finchley Lido] on Greenwich Leisure website
* [https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/barnet/finchley-lido-leisure-centre Finchley Lido]
* [http://www.myvue.com/cinemas/index.asp?cn=1&ln=1&ci=28 Listing page for the cinema]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050901132405/http://www.myvue.com/cinemas/index.asp?cn=1&ln=1&ci=28 Listing page for the cinema]


{{LB Barnet}}
{{LB Barnet}}
Line 45: Line 35:
{{Coord|51.6045|-0.1724|region:GB|display=title}}
{{Coord|51.6045|-0.1724|region:GB|display=title}}


[[Category:1948 Summer Olympic venues]]
[[Category:Venues of the 1948 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic water polo venues]]
[[Category:Olympic water polo venues]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Barnet]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in the London Borough of Barnet]]
[[Category:Defunct lidos]]
[[Category:Defunct lidos]]
[[Category:Lidos]]
[[Category:Lidos]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in Barnet]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in the London Borough of Barnet]]
[[Category:Defunct sports venues in London]]


[[hi:नॉर्थ फ़िंचली]]
[[hi:नॉर्थ फ़िंचली]]

Latest revision as of 19:31, 16 May 2024

The new swimming pool viewed from the cinema

Finchley Lido is a leisure complex at grid reference TQ266911, just east of the suburb of North Finchley in the London Borough of Barnet.

Currently there is a swimming pool and leisure centre, cinema, several food restaurants, bowling facilities and large number of car parking spaces. Finchley Lido is extremely popular with the local population of Finchley at weekends, as it is one of the only cinema complexes in this area of North London.

History

[edit]

The Finchley Open Air Pool was designed by P T Harrison, from Finchley Borough Council. The main heated pool opened on 17 September 1931 and stayed open until 11 November. The following year it was officially opened on 26 March, and on 22 April 1932 the Duke of York (to become King George VI) unveiled a ceremonial wall tablet made of Staffordshire marble, which can be seen to this date. This tablet can now be seen on display behind the counter of Nando's restaurant, which was built around the original site.

The main heated pool measured 165 ft (50 m) × 80 ft, depth ft 3 ins to 10 ft (3.0 m), with two fountains. This pool contained at most 456,250 gallons (1,727,094 litres) and had a diving stage of a similar design to Barking Lido, containing a two-stage platform. Finchley Lido was the first swimming pool to introduce gay nudist days and events; this was a pilot scheme which later introduced trials in Manchester[1] and other boroughs in London.

The whole site occupied 7 acres (28,000 m2), and there was a car park, with its own uniformed attendant (paid the equivalent of £3 per week in 1932). The main building also possessed a burglar alarm from 1932.[2] The car park was enlarged in 2004 when the original cinema on the north side of the site was demolished following large-scale flooding.

On 11 July 1971, the Lido had 11,962 visitors, which remains the record highest attendance in one day for a UK lido.[3]

The original 1930s outdoor pool, which no longer exists, was enclosed by an elegant colonnade of Roman Doric columns, with fountains to either side and was used to host the men's preliminaries to the water polo competition for the 1948 Summer Olympics.[4]

The original site with its main pool and children's pool was closed in 1992.

Facilities

[edit]
The north side of the retail park

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Evening News - "Outrage Over Naked Swimming" Accessed: 4 Apr 08.
  2. ^ Oliver Merrington and Andy Hoines' Lidos in the London area no longer open Archived 2005-09-03 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "Extreme lidos - a Lidos FAQ". Merrington. Archived from the original on 2010-04-28. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
  4. ^ 1948 Summer Olympics official report. Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine p. 49.
[edit]

51°36′16″N 0°10′21″W / 51.6045°N 0.1724°W / 51.6045; -0.1724

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Finchley_Lido&oldid=1224185327"