Oxford outdoor swimming pool to open to public this weekend

Hinksey Outdoor Pool in Hinksey Park, off Abingdon Road, is due to celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, and opens on Saturday.

Operators say more than £200,000 has been invested ahead of the 2026 season, with the improvements designed to help maintain a more consistent water temperature while reducing downtime and energy use.

While much of the work will not be visible to swimmers, the reopening is expected to bring the heated lido back into action after a delayed start to the year.

The outdoor pool will reopen on Saturday, with the 2026 outdoor swimming season running through to Sunday, September 27.

In March this year, the plant room at Hinksey had flooded during preparations for the new season, damaging electrical systems and mechanical equipment including the pool pumps.

The site includes a splash park in summer, a large play area, table tennis, tennis courts, open grass areas and other leisure facilities.

READ MORE: Sobell House celebrates 50 years of care service in Oxford

Hinksey Outdoor Pool (Image: Elsie from the block)

The 2026 pricing page lists casual entry at £6.40 for adults, £4.10 for juniors and £4.10 for concessions.

Heated showers will again be available before and after swims.

Oxford has lost many of its official bathing spots such as Tumbling Bay.

In April 2022 Wolvercote Mill Stream, north of Port Meadow, became the second stretch of river in the UK to achieve Designated Bathing Water Status.

However, the area is downstream of sewage treatment works which frequently discharge untreated waste.

In May 2024 Wallingford Beach on the River Thames was designated as a bathing site.