The ‘national treasure’ beach lido in the UK’s trendiest seaside town – that you can’t swim in
THE UK’s trendiest seaside town has lido that been declared a “national treasure”.
The only catch – you can’t swim in it.
The Marine Terrace Tidal Pool on Margate Beach in Kent has been listed at Grade II by the by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.
However, you aren’t allowed to swim in it, as it has said it is too unsafe due to the “uneven depth”.
The pool, built in 1937, is opposite the Victorian Nayland Rock shelter, where TS Eliot is believed to have composed part of his famous poem ‘The Waste Land’.
The man-made pool fills naturally as the tide comes in and was originally designed to give the public easier access to sea water swimming, as at low tide the shoreline can be more than 200 metres away.
Councillor Rick Everitt, leader of Thanet District Council and portfolio holder for planning, said: “Grade II Listed status ensures a certain level of protection for heritage buildings and structures, and I am pleased that the historical significance of both Margate’s Tidal Pool and the Walpole Bay Tidal Pool has been recognised.”
Councillor Steve Albon, cabinet member for coastal and cleansing, added “Margate is a much-loved seaside resort with a long tradition of sea-bathing.
“Though members of the public are not permitted to swim or dive in the pool now, for important safety reasons, the tidal pool is a really impressive focal point on the beach.”
It joins the nearby Walpole Bay tidal pool, already listed at Grade II, on the National Heritage List for England.
Margate is thought to be the only town in England to have two purpose-built tidal pools from this era.
Covering four acres, the Walpole Bay pool is 450ft long, 300ft wide at the sea end and 550ft wide at the land end.
It is believed to be the biggest tidal pool in the UK, reaching depths of 6ft in places.
Next to Walpole Bay is Palm Bay, which is loved by locals but often overlooked by tourists.
And near the pool is a wooden sauna run by local beauty brand Haeckels.
Margate is said to be the trendiest UK seaside town – and we went and chatted to locals.
Swimming safety advice
Experts have revealed some of their top advice for both adults and kids heading to the water this summer:
How to stay safe at the beach
Gareth Morrison, Head of Water Safety at the RNLI said: “If you find yourself being swept out to sea in a rip, try to relax and float until you are free from the rip and you can then swim to safety.
“If you see someone else in danger, alert a lifeguard or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”
How to stay safe at the swimming pool
Tiny Hearts Education, former paramedic and CEO Nikki Jurcutz said: “Always put your little one in bright or contrasting colours that would be easy to find in an emergency.
“It only takes 20 seconds to drown, little tips like this could save a life”.
An Auqabliss spokesperson added: “Swimming toys such as noodles, dive rings, floaties and beach balls can be dangerous if left in the pool.
“Children may try to grab these from the pool’s edge and fall in.”
How to stay safe at a waterpark
Ali Beckman, Puddle Ducks Technical Director, said: “Never send a child down the slide on their own, not only are they going to be entering the slide pool area independently, they then have to exit the pool and wait for an adult.
“And wave pools should be avoided until your child is really confident with water going over their faces and you know they are able to regain their feet independently.
“Waterparks are often very busy places and it’s easy to lose sight of a child in a split second.”
If you fancy some other places to swim, here is one in the UK that has been compared to Australia.
And here’s another lido that feels like Spain.