VISIT Jesus Green Lido
OPENING tiMES & PRICING
POOL TIMETABLE
Jesus Green Lido is an all-year-round outdoor swimming venue owned by Cambridge City Council and operated by Better (GLL).
The pool timetable varies depending on the season.
• From May to September, the Lido is open every day for a minimum of twelve hours (typically 7:00am to 7:00pm)
• From October to April, there is a reduced timetable – with the pool closed on specific days of the week.
For current opening hours visit the Better website for the latest swimming timetable.
PRICES
General admission for adults is £7.50 with different membership options available for regular swimmers.
For further information, please refer to pricing information on the Better website.
DIRECTIONS TO JESUS GREEN LIDO
You can find Jesus Green Lido on the northern edge of Jesus Green in central Cambridge. This iconic 100-yard outdoor pool is on the south bank of the River Cam (on the other side from Chesterton Road), halfway between Jesus Lock Footbridge and Victoria Street Bridge. Access to Jesus Green Lido is predominately by foot, bike or mobility chair via a tarmac path that runs parallel to the River Cam. There is no parking on site, although you can find on-street parking on Chesterton Road (CB4 3AX).
Find Jesus Green Lido on What Three Words.
///bricks.admire.shower
People with mobility issues / disabled badges should contact the Lido to discuss access.
Nearby bus routes include Citi 1, 2, 4 & 8. Alight at stops on Victoria Avenue and Chesterton Road.
Bike parking is available outside the Lido, but ensure you bring a solid and reliable lock.
POOL TEMPERATURE
Jesus Green Lido is unheated. This means the water temperature fluctuates widely over the course of the year, dropping to icy extremes in winter and peaking in the low to mid 20s in summer.
Swimming in cold water can be dangerous. You need to know what you are doing. Due to the low temperature of the water, the pool operator recommends swimmers wear wetsuits in the colder months of the year – but this is not compulsory. Many people opt to swim with no neoprene. The trick is knowing when to get out.
If you have concerns or questions head to the Better website where there is useful information about cold water swimming.
Alternatively, please speak to a lifeguard at the pool, who will be able to offer practical advice.
Click below to find out the current temperature or check out a log of historic pool temperatures, maintained by regular swimmers since January 2024.
NO DEEP END
Unlike other swimming pools, Jesus Green Lido has no deep end. The water depth varies from 1.1m at either end to 2.8m in the middle.
This unusual profile reflects the fact that when the Lido was built in 1923, men and women swam in different pools.
Today, the Lido is one pool, with three lanes: fast, medium and slow.
Occasionally, one lane may be closed for events, staff training, coaching / teaching sessions or for safety reasons.
In the winter, when the temperature falls below 5 degrees, the middle lane is shut so lifeguards can monitor swimmers closely.
OTHER ON SITE FACILITIES
There are changing facilities (male and female) at either end of the pool, with showers, toilets and lockers.
There is a sauna that you may book.
There is a cafe kiosk, run by Cambridge Catering Solutions, which is open during peak hours selling hot and cold drinks and snacks.
There is a hoist for swimmers who may need support getting into and out of the water.
For more information, check out what else is at the Lido on the Better website.
A HAVEN FOR SWIMMERS
Famous for its 100-yard (91.5m) pool, Jesus Green Lido sits close to the heart of Cambridge by the River Cam. A much-loved, unheated, open-air swimming spot, owned by Cambridge City Council and operated by Better (GLL), the Lido offers a refreshing escape, just moments from the city centre, that blends a sense of calm with the charm of Cambridge’s historic riverside.
A family-friendly venue, open to swimmers of all ages, Jesus Green Lido is incredibly popular with children, young people and families during the warmer, summer months.
In the autumn and winter, it’s a haven for cold water enthusiasts – many of whom swim there every day, come rain or shine.
To book a swim at Jesus Green Lido, head to the Better website where you can also check out the water temperature.
Alternatively, download the Better app at the App Store or on Google Play. You can also turn up and pay at the entrance – but please note there can be very long queues during the summer and on hot days!
