The STRAND POOL

MEDWAY'S OPEN AIR LIDO

The Strand Pool at Gillingham, Kent is Medway's only open air swimming pool or lido. Open to all for family fun or for serious swimming, the Pool includes a paddling area and a lazy river. The Strand Pool is said to be unique in the U.K. as the only riverside pool that uses filtered salt water, in this case from the nearby River Medway. There are ample sun bathing areas around the spacious Pool. Operated by Medway Council, the Strand Pool has an active user group - the Friends of the Strand Pool - who are keen to help improve the Pool's ambience, customer experience and marketing. This website is provided by volunteers from FOSP.

UPDATE APRIL 2022 - the Pool will open for the 2022 season on Saturday 28th May for weekends only until Friday 22nd July. Then from Saturday 23rd July until early September, it will be open daily.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLINE BOOKING IS REQUIRED FOR THE TWO DAILY SESSIONS - DETAILS BELOW

POOL NEWS

The online booking system that was introduced in 2021 is expected to continue in place, but Medway Council have not yet provided a working link. We will update here when the system is up and running.

Link to booking system here -

AWAITING LINK

Sessions from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and

2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. will be available.

Group bookings must arrive together

All pre-paid tickets will be checked upon arrival

Please do not arrive more than 15 minutes before entry time

TODAY'S WEATHER

ESSENTIAL INFO

CONTACT

STRAND POOL

Tel. 01634 333927

Strand Approach Road,

Gillingham, Kent

ME7 1TT

Medway Council email:

leisure@medway.gov.uk

VISIT

STRAND POOL

2022 Opening Hours:

28th May to 22nd July -

Open weekends only.

23rd July to early Sept -

Open daily.

Session times -

10.30 to 1.30

2.30 to 5.30

All bookings to be made online -

AWAITING NEW LINK TO COUNCIL BOOKING SYSTEM

Parking on site, charges apply

0 - 1 hour £1.20

1 - 2 hours £1.70

2 - 4 hours £2.70

4 - 6 hours £3.70

Over 6 hours £5.40

'Ringo' facility for online cashless payment

Children must be accompanied by adults in the below proportions:

~ Children aged 8 to 16 must have one adult for every 5 children

~ Children aged 5 to 7 must have one adult per every 3 children

~ Children under 5 must have one adult for every 2 children

There is no refund on any pre-purchased tickets, unless the Council do not open or run the advertised session

Disabled access, parking, changing facilities, toilets and social areas are all available. If you are registered disabled, you can bring one carer free to support your swim.

POOL ADMISSION

PRICES

2022 Pool admission prices - for each three hour session

Adults (16 yrs and older):

£6.20

Juniors (15 yrs or younger):

£4.10

Seniors (60 yrs and older):

£ T B C

Under 3's Free

FREE for under 16s and over 60s if a valid Medway Free Swimming Card is produced

Medway residents over 60 or under 16 years of age are entitled to a Free Swimming Card, available at Medway Park and Strood / Splashes / Hoo Sports Centres. Cards are not issued at The Strand, but will be valid there

LOCATION

FOSP

About the "Friends of the Strand Pool" (FOSP)

In May 2016 a number of Strand Pool regulars realised that the Pool operators, Medway Council, had cut back on the usual opening days and hours in a bid to save money. An informal meeting quickly led to a more organised association that has since launched a public petition, set up a Facebook page and this website to improve communication and meet regularly with the Council's Sport, Leisure and Tourism bosses.

FOSP are a completely non-political organisation, and our Committee members range in age and interests - some have swum the Channel and love cold-water swimming, others learned to swim at the Strand Pool 40 or more years ago and still spend much of their Summers there. All share a love for this unique 125 year old facility, and are passionate about the Pool continuing to be a safe, clean and enjoyable place for Medway families to visit for generations to come.

Since becoming established, FOSP members have been overwhelmed with the level of support from local people - over 5,500 supported our petition and our Facebook posts reach as many as 28,000 people - and we now attempt to work in partnership with the Council to improve the day-to-day running of the Pool and to promote greater usage through active marketing.

This website has been established to provide a one-stop source of all information about the Strand Pool - what's on, pricing, location, contact details, weather updates, etc, etc - and we hope that you find it helpful.

FOSP volunteers are happy to help support this historic facility to ensure that customers in 2022 will enjoy the best possible experience, and are planning some fun events for all the family.

All ideas and offers of help welcome!

Contact the Friends via friendsofstrandpool@gmail.com