Excitement as Lewes Pells Pool prepares to open for the 2023 summer season

Known for being the UK’s oldest outdoor freshwater pool, Pells Pool in Lewes will re-open to the public this bank holiday weekend

The Pells will open on Saturday 6 May, with plans for 2023 including swimming lessons for adults and children and a programme of special events featuring midnight swims, a summer solstice swim and a bonfire swim at the end of the season. From Saturday 10 June, the pool will open into the evenings, when it will also be available to hire for private bookings.

Ahead of the re-opening, improvement work and maintenance has been taking place, with staff and volunteers working hard to get everything ready. There’s new poolside paving and a new ramp to make the changing rooms more accessible. The pool team is also welcoming a new Deputy Manager, Leanne, and Assistant Manager, Harvey, who will be supporting Pool Manager Phil in making sure everyone’s visit to the Pells is a wonderful experience.

Tickets for admission and swimming can be bought from the pool’s website (www.pellspool.org.uk) up to two weeks in advance, or in person at the pool. Prices start at just £1.50 for a child’s swimming session. In addition, bulk swim-passes, offering greater value for multiple sessions, will also be available.

Pells Pool is owned by Lewes Town Council and run by the Pells Pool Community Association. It’s the oldest freshwater outdoor public swimming pool in the UK. First opened in 1861, Pells is an unheated, spring-fed pool, 50 yards (46m) long and 25 yards (23m) wide. As well as the main pool, there’s a paddling pool for kids, a sun terrace and a beautiful tree-lined lawn, where swimmers can picnic and relax after an invigorating plunge.