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 was recently recognised by Historic Pools of Britain as 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 MAY 2025 - the Pool will open for the 2025 season on Saturday 24th May for weekends only until the school summer holidays. Then until Sunday 31st August, it will be open daily.

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

POOL NEWS

Medway Council's online booking system will continue in place, see link here -

https://leisurebookings.medway.gov.uk/stellar2/admissions.php#/select/4/1/0

Or go direct to the Medway Council website at

https://www.medway.gov.uk/

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 don't arrive more than 15 minutes before entry time

Note: the separate toddler pool in the Strand park will NOT be opening this Summer

Anchor General Information

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

Contact Medway Sport

(out of season or hours)

01634 336655

medwaypark@medway.gov.uk

VISIT

STRAND POOL

2025 Opening Hours:

24th May to 13th July -

Open weekends only.

19th July to 31st Aug -

Open daily.

Session times -

10.30 to 1.30

2.30 to 5.30

All bookings to be made online -https://leisurebookings.medway.gov.uk/stellar2/admissions.php#/select/4/1/0

Parking on site - charges apply from 7am to 1am at The Strand and costs can be found on the Ringo app.

Swimming pool admission policy for children

Children under 4 years of age must be accompanied in the water by a responsible person over the age of 16 on a 1:2 ratio.

We recommend that any child under 4 should wear a suitable buoyancy aid that is ‘kite marked’ or carries a BS EN number.

Buoyancy aids accepted under this policy are those that fully support the child's weight in the water and remain secure in and out of the water. For example, armbands or a float jacket or suit. Buoyancy aids that are handheld, such as floats, are not considered appropriate.

Children aged 4 to 8 years of age must be accompanied in the water by a responsible person over the age of 16, on a 1:3 ratio.

Responsible person over the age of 16 may supervise up to 3 children aged between 4 to 8 years in the water.

Children aged 8 up to 16 years of age must be accompanied into the facility by a responsible person over the age of 16 years, ratio 1:4.

The responsible person is not required to enter the water but must remain within the facility and supervise the 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.

All information provided by

the Friends of the Strand Pool,

as a public service,

from details published by Medway Council on their website -

medway.gov.uk

POOL ADMISSION

PRICES

20254 Pool admission prices - for each three hour session

Adults (16 yrs and older):

£7.80

Juniors (15 yrs or younger):

£5.15

Seniors (60 yrs and older):

£ 5.15

Under 3's (Free - do not require a ticket or pre-booking)

Disabled guests and carers

Disabled guests are entitled to one free carer ticket

The carer does not need a ticket or pre-booking

They must provide PIP evidence on entry, or the full fee will be due

All information provided by

the Friends of the Strand Pool,

as a public service,

from details published by Medway Council on their website -

medway.gov.uk

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 2025 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