Before the lido: more than 200 years of sea bathing in Lymington

The story of Lymington Sea Water Baths begins much earlier than many people might imagine.

Long before the great lido-building era of the 1920s and 1930s, people were already coming to this part of the Lymington River to bathe in sea water.

Sea bathing from 1755

Records show that a bathing establishment existed here as early as 1755.

By the early nineteenth century, Lymington had two established bathing places. Legge's Baths were closer to the town, while Beeston's Baths stood further along the river.

A guide published in 1825 described warm baths, showers and cold baths, with different prices depending on the type of bathing and whether assistance from a guide was required.

Why sea water?

During the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, sea bathing became increasingly fashionable.

Sea water and sea air were widely associated with health and wellbeing, and coastal towns around Britain began attracting people who came specifically to bathe.

Lymington's riverside position gave the town an opportunity to take part in this growing fashion.

An opportunity for the town

By 1830, local commentators were arguing that Lymington could do much more to attract visitors.

The town was described as having considerable attractions during the summer, but its bathing facilities were in need of improvement. That discussion eventually led to a much more ambitious proposal.

In 1833, local businessmen and tradespeople formed the Lymington Bath and Improvement Company and began a project that would transform this stretch of Lymington's waterfront.

The result would eventually become the Sea Water Baths we recognise today.

There is still more to discover

As part of the current Heritage Fund-supported project, a specialist heritage consultant will undertake a detailed review of the Baths' history.

Historic photographs, maps, newspapers, archives and local records will be examined to build a clearer picture of how the Baths developed and how generations of people experienced them.

We will share some of the discoveries here as that work progresses.

This project has been made possible with a £154,800 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players.