Stonehaven Open Air Pool, Stonehaven, Ghid vizitatori și ce de văzut în apropiere

Stonehaven Open Air Pool is a heated seawater lido on the beachfront of Stonehaven, a harbour town on Scotland's north-east coast. Built in the 1930s, it is one of the few outdoor pools of its kind still in use in Scotland, and it sits right beside the North Sea.

The story behind it

The pool dates from the lido era of the 1930s, when towns around Britain built open-air pools for health, fitness and summer fun. Stonehaven's was laid out beside the sea in Queen Elizabeth Park, next to The Links, so that swimmers could enjoy the bay while staying in sheltered, warmed water.

Many pools of this generation have been closed or filled in over the decades. Stonehaven's has survived thanks largely to local support, and it is now run by a community charity. That history is part of its appeal: it feels like a seaside institution that locals chose to keep.

What to look for

• The long, rectangular shape of the pool, set against the beach with the open sea only a few steps beyond its wall.
• The clean, low lines of the 1930s design, which give the whole site a classic seaside look.
• The view across Stonehaven Bay, with the town and harbour curving round the shoreline.
• The contrast between the calm, heated water inside and the grey-blue North Sea just outside.

Tips for your visit

• The pool is seasonal and mainly a summer attraction, so check current opening hours and whether it is open before you go.
• Allow an hour or more if you plan to swim, or about 15 minutes if you just want to look and take photos from the promenade.
• Bring a towel and swimwear, and expect Scottish weather: even on a bright day the sea breeze can be cool.
• The beach, the promenade and the harbour are all within easy walking distance, and Dunnottar Castle is a longer coastal walk or a short drive to the south.

Explore it on a quest

The seafront around the pool is best enjoyed on foot, and one of Questo's self-guided walks is a good way to do it. Browse the quests in Stonehaven to find a route through the town. The app leads you from place to place, tells you about each stop as you arrive and sets a puzzle in what is in front of you. You can start any time, with no guide and no group to join.