Nearly 1,000 Sign Ravenscourt Park Lido Petition
Support growing for a proposal for new outdoor swimming space
A visualisation of the proposed lido. Picture: AI generated
July 13, 2026
A campaign for a lido in Ravenscourt Park has begun to gather momentum, driven by residents who say West London is overdue a modern, accessible outdoor swimming space. What started as a simple question — why not a lido? — has quickly become a wider conversation about public health, climate resilience and the future of Hammersmith & Fulham’s parks.
The spark came earlier this summer, when residents learned that the children’s paddling pool in Ravenscourt Park is set to be redeveloped into a splash pad. For many, the upgrade is welcome — but for others, it felt like a missed opportunity. One local resident launched a petition calling on the council to go further and install a heated outdoor community lido, arguing that the borough should be thinking bigger at a time when London’s summers are becoming hotter and more unpredictable.
The petition, which was set up a month ago, makes a clear case: as the UK enters a new era of summer heatwaves, boroughs need more cooling spaces that serve all ages, not just young children. A lido, campaigners say, would offer year-round exercise, a social hub, and a place for families, older residents and young people to gather. “Lidos are a monument to cultural, civic and local pride,” the petition states, noting that more than 160 exist across the UK — and that over 30 new schemes have been delivered since 2021.
Support for the idea has grown quickly and at the time of writing, nearly 1,000 people have signed.
This is not the first time H&F residents have pushed for an outdoor pool. In the early 2000s and again in the mid-2010s, community groups explored the idea of creating a lido at Wormwood Scrubs, inspired by historic open-air pools that once dotted West London. Those proposals never progressed — partly due to the Scrubs’ protected status, partly due to cost, and partly because the council’s priorities lay elsewhere.
But the idea never fully disappeared. As London’s outdoor swimming revival has grown — from the reopening of Charlton Lido to the expansion of Beckenham Place Park’s lake — residents have repeatedly asked why West London has been left behind. The nearest lidos are in Brent, Richmond and central London, leaving H&F without a dedicated outdoor swimming space of its own.
Unlike Wormwood Scrubs, Ravenscourt Park already has water infrastructure, strong transport links, and a history of hosting large-scale community events. Supporters argue that adding a lido would enhance the park’s role as a civic centrepiece, complementing its playgrounds, tennis courts, café and gardens.
The petition emphasises that the proposed lido would sit alongside, not instead of, the new splash pad. The aim is to create a multi-generational space: a shallow, playful area for children, and a heated pool for adults, teens, older residents and anyone seeking exercise or relaxation.
Campaigners imagine a space that could host early-morning lane swimming, family afternoons, aqua-fitness classes, community events and even winter swimming for the brave. They point to examples like London Fields Lido, which has become a year-round destination, drawing thousands of visitors and supporting local businesses.
The campaign also reflects a broader shift in how Londoners think about parks. As summers grow hotter, parks are increasingly seen not just as leisure spaces but as essential cooling zones. Shade, water and accessible outdoor activity are becoming part of climate adaptation planning — and residents argue that H&F should be ahead of the curve.
A lido, they say, would help the borough meet its public health goals, support active lifestyles, and create a shared space that strengthens community ties. In a borough known for its strong neighbourhood identity, the idea has resonated.
The council has not yet commented publicly on the proposal, but campaigners hope that growing support will prompt a feasibility study or consultation.
You can sign the petition here – it is open until 3 September.
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