A huge pool at over 300 feet long and built by a private contractor that developed a significant part of the Severn Beach village.
The village of Severn Beach started to expand with the influx of construction and railway workers to build, amongst other things, the Severn Tunnel. With the opening of the rail link from Avonmouth in 1924 Robert Stride saw an opportunity and believed that Severn Beach could become an important resort as it was so close to both Bristol and Cardiff. He moved his company from his house in Shirehampton, to Severn Beach, and built a restaurant, six shops opposite the tennis courts and the swimming pool.
In the 1930s, amusements including a roller coaster and ghost train were built. Robert Stride introduced Water Carnivals, which were popular events featuring bathing beauty competitions, personality girls, and seaside revues, attracting thousands of visitors.
By the 1960s the arrival of the motorcar and foreign holidays meant fewer people were visiting. The amusements became dilapidated and the Blue Lagoon and boating lake were demolished to improve the sea defences needed to protect nearby houses.
| Name | Blue Lagoon, Severn Beach Beach Road, Severn Beach, Bristol, England, BS35 4PQ |
| Built / opened | Circa 1922 |
| Cost | |
| Dimensions | 300′ x 100′ approx. scaled from map |
| Capacity | |
| Water type | |
| Depth(s) | |
| Diving | Diving pontoon with multiple level fixed boards |
| Changing facilities | |
| Second pool | N/A |
| Spectator seating | |
| Designer | Built by Robert Charles Barton Stride 1894–1970, prolific local builder |
| Date closed | 1980’s |
| Status | Demolished |
| On site now | Housing, grassed area and sea defences |
| Links | Severn Beach: celebrations mark seaside resort’s centenary – BBC News |
| Last updated | 29th May 2025 |
