Enjoy the great vibe at this outdoor swimming pool with its award-winning restaurant, tapas bar and spa
You know when you get to the stage when you need a day of pure relaxation and nothing else will do, well I had reached that point on the day I went to Bristol Lido with one of my best girly friends.
Dating back to 1849, it is one of the oldest surviving lidos in the UK, restored from its dilapidated state, or rescued should I say. It reopened in 2008 to an eager public and has gained itself a great reputation for not only being a place of relaxation but one with top notch food. I urge you to try a spa day package so that you can really benefit from what this historical site has to offer.
The day we visited, the sun was shining and the place was buzzing. It was a Saturday and I think half of Clifton had decided to descend, such a great sign. The pool was still a little too cold for me so it was just a bit of toe dipping, but I must admit I am a bit of a ‘wuss’ when it comes to getting the least bit chilly.
The great thing about the lido is that there are lots of things to do; steam room, sauna, swim, eat, drink. I took up residence for some time in the lovely bubbles and froth of the hot tub.
A few things make this Clifton venue stand out from the crowd. The first is the history behind the building, the second is the great vibe the place has going on – everything from the spa products to the yoghurt is homemade. The third is the food (and the fourth will come later).
At lunch time there is a fabulous a la carte menu, available as part of the spa package, or if you want to book a table and just go for a bite to eat, that’s fine too.
On a nice sunny day it was the tapas menu that drew us in. With the likes of scallops, langoustines and Spanish tortillas on offer and served until 10pm, there really is a fabulous array of tasty morsels to choose from. Sit on the terrace upstairs and look down on the pool for a great view, or simply laze outside by the pool.
Now, onto the fourth thing that really stood out for me – the treatment. My hour long facial wasn’t just a facial – it was a treat, an experience and my therapist Clair was truly a miracle worker.
Not only was she tuned into what I needed and wanted, the treatment was about the whole person.
A wonderful foot massage and scrub started the process, followed by a great facial with facial massage and neck and shoulder, hand, head and arm massage.
Summing up on two sentences I would say take your mum, your friend, your partner, your sister, anyone who can accompany you on a true experience. But if you only have time for lunch or dinner, do it, trust me you won’t look back.
