Knaresborough Lido
Knaresborough Lido is the name for a short stretch of the river Nidd next to a caravan park and a handy cafe
This site is provided for information. People do swim at this spot, but this website in no way should be taken as proof that it is ‘safe’ to swim here. You must always make your own risk assessment, based on your own level of swimming competence and the conditions. Swim at your own risk. Always err on the side of caution, particularly if you are new to open water swimming. Educate yourself about the risks.
About
This is a gorgeous spot for a dip, I can’t find anything about the history of the lido, but I suspect that people have been swimming here for a long time. Wide and often shallow, between two weirs, this stretch is very popular with local swimmers throughout the year. The Watermill cafe may have something to do with this.
The lido sits in a little gorge, flanked on one side by a very well kept caravan park, and the other side by some enviable houses (one with its own water wheel). Last time I was there I counted six red kites circling above.
Water shoes strongly recommended as this spot is also popular with people fishing and the rocks can be very slippy.
In July 2023 I got the following message from Dennis, telling me about some of the history of the Lido.
Well way back in the late 1950’s my friends and I used to cycle there in the summer on Friday evening and camp there until Sunday. Then it was called Rogers Lido and I believe it was named after the family that owned and worked the farm. Whilst it was a modest static caravan site it was a popular place for a day out for many people. Of course the popularity was the swimming between the 2 weirs on hot summer week ends, long before it was called “wild swimming”
Something tells me Dennis isn’t too keen on the term ‘wild swimming’ (me neither Dennis!)
Getting there
If you are driving, be careful about where you park. You cannot park on the Lido caravan park (unless you are staying there!), likewise, do not park on the retail park. Please park responsibly on a nearby street and walk to the Lido.
The postcode HG5 8LL will take you to the entrance to the Lido Leisure Park (caravan park). You may be able to park on this section of Wetherby Road - but remember this is a residential street so please be considerate.
You can access the Lido either through walking though the leisure park, or by entering from Wetherby Road just by the river, at the sign for the Watermill cafe.
I recommend using the what3words app to help find exact spots.
The River - https://w3w.co/cheetahs.montage.boxing
The Watermill Cafe - https://w3w.co/interviewer.risks.pythons
This what3words address refers to a 3 metre square location. Tap the link or enter the 3 words into the free what3words app to find it.
River Swimming
Part of the charm of rivers is that they are changeable. For a swimmer this means that you must always assess the safety of entering the water. The depth and the speed of the water can increase quickly. You should avoid swimming in the Nidd after heavy rain - this is when there is likely to be increased flow, as well as runoff from fields and often from treatment works.
Always be prepared to postpone your swim if the conditions aren’t right for you.
A brilliant resource for swimmers is the river gauge map. The nearest station to Knaresborough Lido is Knaresborough. You can check the level before you travel to have an indication of what to expect.
