Ilkley Pool and Lido
BEST FOR
Ages 3+
ENTRY
from £3.25
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Ilkley
What it’s like
An outdoor unheated lido where kids swim, splash and picnic by the water from May to October.
This is an open-air lido, so the water's not heated and the sessions depend on the weather playing along. Swimming's the main event, with a junior ticket at £3.25 and under-3s free, though the adult price at £12.30 peak will make you wince a bit if you're taking the whole crew. There's a tennis court onsite too if someone wants a break from the water, and a picnic area for lounging about between dips.
Under-8s need an adult in the water with them, and that's a strict two-kids-per-supervisor rule, so plan accordingly if you've got more than a couple in tow. Anyone not yet potty trained needs a swim nappy, and once your child hits 8 they're expected to use their own changing room rather than yours. The café's running a reduced menu at the moment, mostly ice cream, soft drinks and snacks with limited hot food, but you're welcome to bring a picnic as long as there's no glass, alcohol or barbecues.
The lido only opens for the season from 9 May 2026, so this isn't a year-round outing, and booking is required rather than turning up on spec. Prices flex between peak and off-peak, with peak being weekdays 9.30am to 6pm and weekends 10am to 4pm, so an early or late slot will save you a bit. Parking is pay and display, but the entrance has a 2 metre height restriction, worth knowing if you drive anything taller than a standard car.
Worth flagging for later in the year, there are Doggy Swim events in October where dogs get their own admission price and a swim in the lido alongside the family.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 3 to 15, with under-8s needing an adult in the water
- Parking
- Pay and display car park
- Food
- Onsite café with reduced menu (ice cream, soft drinks, snacks, limited hot food)
- Wheelchairs
- Accessible ramp into the pool (Lido only), changing place with wet bed, accessible toilet
- Dogs
- Annual Doggy Swim events in October with special swim times and admission
- Peak pricing runs weekdays 9.30am to 6pm and weekends 10am to 4pm, off-peak is earlier or later and cheaper
- Children over 8 use their own gender-specific changing rooms, not yours
- Sessions are weather dependent since it's an open-air lido
- Shower before swimming and avoid the pool if you've eaten within the last hour
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Juniors aged 3 to 15 are £3.25 at peak times, under-3s swim free, and adults are £12.30 peak. There are cheaper off-peak rates and discounts for Bradford Leisure Card holders.
Do we need to book?
Booking is required rather than just showing up.
When is the lido open?
It opens for the 2026 season on Saturday 9 May and runs through October, weather and sessions permitting.
What age can children swim without an adult in the water?
Under-8s must be supervised in the water by a parent or an adult aged 16 or over, with a maximum of 2 children per supervisor.
Is there a minimum age?
The listed minimum age is 3, though under-3s can swim free with an adult.
What about toddlers who aren't toilet trained?
They need to wear a swim nappy.
Is there food onsite?
There's a café but it's running a reduced menu of ice cream, soft drinks, snacks and limited hot food. Bringing your own picnic is fine, just no glass, alcohol or barbecues.
Is there parking?
Yes, a pay and display car park, but the entrance has a 2 metre height restriction so check your vehicle fits.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs?
There's an accessible ramp into the lido pool, a changing place with a wet bed, and an accessible toilet.
Can we bring the dog?
Only at the special Doggy Swim events in October, with its own admission price for dogs.
What swimwear is required?
Close-fitting swimwear like trunks or a full swimsuit for weak or non-swimmers, though short or long-sleeve Lycra tops are allowed too.
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