Larkswood Lido was a large and unusually shaped open air pool in Chingford, East London. The pool was known for its unique crucifix shape and was considered one of the largest lidos in London, covering over seven acres, including a grassy picnic area. It featured a splash pool, footbath area, competitive swimming and polo areas, water chutes, and a diving pool with 1m, 3m, and 5m boards. The site covered some 7 acres.
Larkswood Lido was a popular venue for events like beauty pageants, swimming and diving competitions, and even served as a location for the TV show “It’s a Knockout”. It is said to have held the record for the highest attendance in the history of UK lidos with 290,000 bathers during the swimming months of 1959. By 1965 over 3 million had attended. The record attendance for a single day was 17,000.
By 1981, the local council had to bail out the pool to the tune of £75,000.
The lido closed in 1987 and remained empty before the site was used for the second FantaSeas water park built in 1990. FantaSeas had a pool in Dartford and this was their second. Neither pool did well financially and the Dartford site had structural issues. It closed in 1992, after only two years and a number of accidents. One serious accident resulted in life changing injuries for a small child and a paltry £5,000 fine for the engineering company responsible.
The site remained derelict for several years before Larkswood Leisure Centre (now Chingford Leisure Centre) opened in 2001.
| Name | Larkswood Open Air Pool Larks Wood Park, New Road, Chingford, LB Waltham Forest, E4 9EY |
| Built / opened | 28th July 1936 by the Minister of Health, Sir Kingsley Wood. |
| Cost | £23,400 |
| Dimensions | Short axis 165′ x 60′ Side wings, both 90′ x 80′ |
| Capacity | 780,000 gallons |
| Water type | Freshwater filtered and chlorinated |
| Depth(s) | Short axis min 5′ 9″ Side wings 2′ to 5′ Diving pit 10′ |
| Diving | Springboards of 1m plus 3m and 5m platforms |
| Changing facilities | Four men’s units and six women’s units, eac of 16 steel cubicles Laundry space used as mens communal 1,262 compartment lockers |
| Second pool | N/A |
| Spectator seating | |
| Designer | S J Hellier |
| Date closed | 6th September 1987 |
| Status | Demolished |
| On site now | Chingford Leisure Centre indoor pool. Nuffield Health indoor pool |
| Notes | |
| Links | |
| Last updated | 16th March 2025 |
Baths and Bath Engineering October 1936
Larkswood Open-Air Swimming Pool
CHINGFORD URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL SCHEME
Situated on a westward slope the Larkswood open-air swimming pool, opened by the Minister of Health, the Rt. Hon. Sir Kingsley Wood, M.1., on July 28, is unique in its cruciform plan. The pool, which cost approximately £23,400, has been constructed for the Urban District Council of Chingford, under the supervision of the engineer and surveyor, Mr. S. J. Hellier, M.Inst.M. and Cy.E.
The site varies in level by as much as 65 ft. and generally the arrangement of the layout is balanced about a centre line, which runs from the main entrance at the foot of the hill through the car park and administration building, the shorter dimension of the cross- shaped pool, the spectators’ terraces, and up to the tea terrace and cafe pavilion at the highest elevation of the site.
Design of the Pool
The shorter axis of the pool is the standard swimming length of 165 ft. by a width for polo of 60 ft. This area is provided with racing lines of coloured tiles, set in the floor, and has a minimum water depth of 5 ft. 9 in., so that there is no probability of touching the bottom during races or polo. At one end of this area is the diving well with a maximum depth of 10 ft. at a point 24 ft. from the end wall. The diving stage is of reinforced concrete in graceful upward and outward swept curves, with the access steps up the backbone. This stage has its foundations entirely independent of the floor and walls of the pool and will provide firm and springboards at 1 and 3 m., with a platform at 5 m. above water level.
The other wings of the cross are each 90 ft. by 80 ft. and vary in depth from 2 ft. to 5 ft. They are intended primarily for learners and can both be used without interference when the deep area is roped off for special events.
The end of each wing is arranged for its whole width in terrace steps treads 24 in., and risers 6 in., extending from the margin down to the bottom of the shallow water; and at 20 ft. distance from the end are reinforced concrete islands, also with steps. These are intended as a special attraction for children, giving them a feeling of safety on their first venture into so large an expanse of water. It is thought that this arrangement is preferable to a separate children’s pool, where a change over from the small to a big bath is such a step as to discourage in some children a steady progress to swimming efficiency.
Around the pool the coping is 6 in. above the paving. This, it is contended, will help to keep the water free from grit, and in addition the water level can be raised so that bathers will not have the feeling of being quite so depressed below their surroundings. Incidentally, of course, 6 in. of excavation is also saved by this arrangement.
Another novelty is the teak footboard fixed along the walls at about 3 ft. below water level. which gives a comfortable rest to swimmers with hand hold on the coping tiles.
Purification Plant
The whole of the filtration plant was designed, supplied, and erected by United Filters and Engineering, Ltd., London. The total capacity of the pool is 780,000 gal. and this is purified once every six hours. The water is taken at two points from the bottom of the diving pit to the filter house situated immediately to the right of the main entrance. The main which is 15 in. diameter runs across the whole width of the filter house, and it is fitted with a connection to the plant, and a valve to allow for emptying the pool to sewer. The wash water pipe from the filters rejoins this 15 in. main before leaving the filter house.
The strainer is of the usual ” Unifilters ” construction with straight brass grid and quick release of the lid. Two split casing centrifugal pumps, electrically driven, send the water into two filters of special design, there being three separate filter beds in each filter shell. The addition of chemicals is controlled by the shunt feed method, by means of a calibrated venturi tube fitted on the delivery to the filters. The chemical solutions are accurately measured by means of two positive and visible displacement meters.
The filtered water is then directed into a self-acting and silent patented aerator inside the filter house. This aerator, which operates without mechanical power or air compressor, will oversaturate the filtered water with pure air, drawn from outside the building, and also discharge the foul air resulting from this intensive aeration.
The sterilisation process is by chloramine, the gaseous ammonia being dispensed into the circuit before aeration and chlorination after aeration. There are no open cascades and in view of the special shape of the pool the treated water is discharged at many points. However, each point of inlet is fitted with a spreader giving three distinct flows and thus covering the whole of the pool. The cleaning of the filters is done by the Unifilters method of combined air and water reverse low for which no air compressor is required. Each filter bed is flushed independently thus ensuring perfect efficiency.
Provision has been made for the heating of the water at a later date, and the circuit for the suction sweeper is connected to the plant thus avoiding wastage.
Dressing Accommodation
The dressing accommodation, at the moment, consists of only four men’s units and six women’s units, the laundry space, not yet used as such, making up the necessary accommodation for the men. Each unit consists of 16 steel cubicles and is a separate building resting on a 5 in. reinforced concrete slab. 1,262 compartment lockers have been installed.
The dressing rooms are arranged so that bathers leaving and entering the cubicles by a different door from which they enter and leave by when dressed, do not have any direct contact with the routes used by “booted” patrons.
Administration Building
The administration block provides space for a laundry, if required, but until that is needed the accommodation is used as a men’s communal dressing room. This building contains the main lavatory accommodation, which has been placed in a position conspicuous to all persons leaving the ticket office for the dressing boxes. The superintendent’s office, first-aid room, towel store, large general store and small “tuck” shop complete the ground floor accommodation. Above is the superintendent’s flat and a clock tower.
ln addition to the electrically controlled clock, the tower contains the loudspeaker apparatus and water tanks for “making up” and general purposes, required by the Metropolitan Water Board as a “break” between the mains and the plant.
General
The bathers’ footbaths, 10 it. in width, are the only access to the immediate surround of the pool. These baths are kept cleansed by the overflow from the shower baths which are placed, one each side of each splash pool, in a pagoda recess.
The main colour features are blue and buff, the latter for buildings and paving, the former for the pool coping and trough, the steps, handrails. windows and doors. From a level 12 in. below water where the blue tiles end, the pool is finished throughout with five eights in. waterproof cement rendering with a blue coloured wash.
The paved surround, of buff coloured pre-cast concrete flagstones, is 20 ft. wide, with additional bays for sun-bathing areas. Water chutes and similar equipment are installed. At intervals of 12 ft. round the three sides of the deep water well, provision is made for under-water lighting.
Flood-lighting is also a feature of the pool and buildings. Situated at the higher end of the site, with full view of the pool and beyond, the terrace to the cafe pavilion is paved for outdoor refreshments in fine weather. The cafe has a semicircular front, 36 ft. in diameter, which is entirely composed of full height windows; it is equipped with a large and carefully planned kitchen and other accommodation.
The baths’ superintendent is Mr. A. Beaumont, M.N.A.B.S., R.L.S.F.
Contractors.
The three main contractors for the scheme were.
- Messrs. J. A. Stirling, Ltd., Welwyn Garden City, Herts,
- Messrs. E. S. Moss, Ltd., Hendon,
- Messrs. United Filters and Engineering, Ltd., London.
Among the sub-contractors were the following firms
- Steel cubicles, Messrs. Constructors, Ltd., Birmingham.
- Compartment-lockers, Messrs. Milners’ Safe Co., Ltd., London.
- Flood-lighting, The Gas Light and Coke Co., Chingford.
- Flexometal doors to all dressing cubicles, Messrs. Flexo Plywood Industries, Ltd., South Chingford.
Baths and Bath Engineering January 1939
Chlorine resisting paint.
“Carub” Process for Underwater Concrete Surfaces.
For application to concrete, wood and metal surfaces which come into contact with either sea or fresh water as in swimming baths, bathing pools, concrete storage tanks, etc. Messrs. Bitulac, Ltd. of Collingwood-buildings, Newcastle-on-Tyne, manufacture a chlorine resisting paint under the trade name ” Carub.”
This paint, the company points out, covers the surface with a water resisting skin and while providing a protection against the action of foreign matter in the water, it also retards the growth of algae on the concrete surfaces. It is claimed that the paint is a resistant to acids, alkalies, oils. etc., and also resists chlorine and other chemicals used for water purification.
“Carub” can be effectively applied by either brush or spray gun. The surface must be quite dry and clean to allow the composition to grip the surface of the concrete. The covering capacity is between 30 to 40 sq. yd. per gal. but varies slightly depending on the porosity of the concrete. It dries rapidly, but an interval of 24 hours is advised before applying a second coat.
Many swimming baths and bathing pools have been treated with this attractive and effective paint which is made in a range of pleasing colours, all equally effective in their protective qualities.
One of the schemes treated with “Carub” paint is the Larkswood open-air swimming pool at Chingford. This modern pool as will be seen in the accompanying illustration is cruciform planned. The shorter axis is 165 ft. long by 60 ft. wide and this area has a minimum water depth of 5 ft, 9 in.; the diving well has a maximum depth of 10 ft. at a point 24 ft. from the end wall.
The other wings of the cross are each 90 ft. by 80 ft. and vary in depth from 2 ft. to 5 ft.; at 20 ft. distance from each end is a reinforced concrete island, The pool was opened in 1936 at a cost of approximately £23,400 and it is doing well under the guidance of the enterprising superintendent. Mr. A. Beaumont. M.N.A.B.S. R.L.S.F.
Messrs, Bitulac. Ltd. will be glad to furnish, on application to their offices, samples and prices of their chlorine resisting paints.
