Report - The Lido, Margate - various visits May 2010

Lidos, which were enclosed sea bathing pools, became increasingly popular as the trend for sea bathing became an ever more sought after pastime of the Victorian era. In the 1920's the Lido at Cliftonville was completed to cater for the popularity of sea bathing. The Lido was built on the existing Clifton Baths Estate, beneath which ran many passageways used by smugglers in previous centuries. The underground complex consisted of bars, cafes and an indoor warm sea water pool with nearby changing facilities. There was also a huge amount of tunnels roumored to have ran under the lido and also connecting the nearby Margate caves. The Lido was hugely popular from it's construction right through to the 1960's. A winter storm in January 1978 which destroyed Margate Pier also wreaked havoc with the Lido, particularly the outdoor pool. Reconstruction work was never even considered, and even today the Lido faces almost certain demolition.

I had visited this place last year with fortknox0 but my time was cut short and I was unable to photograph the place so myself, Fortknox0, Frosty and maniac went to look for a way in. finally back inside the place I was able to photograh it.

About a week later myself, Fortknox0 and Frosty returned with Rooks and Speed for another look. This place is amazing and so big and ALL underground. The highlight for myself was the underground smugglers port. This was big and amazing. This is still tidal, this is great but if the place is visited at high tide then the changing rooms and some of the rooms/passages flood.

On with some pictures;

































Thanks for looking