Cheltenham Lido

The lido sits right in the heart of Cheltenham, a proper slice of 1930s leisure culture that's been keeping people cool since before most of us were born. It's an open-air swimming pool with that distinctive art deco feel - the kind of place where you half expect to see people in vintage swimming caps doing lengths between the diving boards. The main pool is the obvious draw, but there's also a paddling area for younger kids who'd rather splash than swim proper laps.

This works best for families after school or at weekends, and for anyone who fancies a nostalgic dip without the chlorine-heavy atmosphere of an indoor leisure centre. It's free to enter the grounds, though swimming costs a few quid - exact prices worth checking ahead as they do change. Allow a couple of hours minimum, longer if you're making a day of it with a picnic.

Visit between late May and early September when it's actually open; winter months it closes entirely. Go early on weekdays to avoid the screaming school groups. On a hot day in July it gets rammed, but catch it on a pleasant June afternoon and you've found something genuinely lovely.

If you're staying at Cheltenham Racecourse Caravan Park or any of the glamping spots scattered around Cheltenham itself - Coxhorne or Big Skies are both within easy striking distance - the lido makes a solid afternoon plan between walks in the Cotswolds or poking about the town centre's gardens.