Cold Knap Lido Barry: A Nostalgic Look at Barry’s Lost Open-Air Pool and What’s There Today
Once a vibrant seaside destination, Cold Knap Lido in Barry was a beloved spot for families. Discover its history, what remains today, and how the area continues to welcome visitors, and discover what stands there today. Join us on a nostalgic journey through one of Wales’ lost treasures.
There are some places from childhood that never leave you, no matter how many decades pass. For me, that place is Cold Knap Lido in Barry. I can still close my eyes and feel the sting of salt in the sea breeze, the echo of children’s laughter bouncing off the stone walls, and the sun shimmering off the huge crescent-shaped pool like a sheet of glass.
The Cold Knap open-air swimming pool was once a jewel of the South Wales coastline. Built in the 1920s, it was part of a larger movement of seaside developments across the UK intended to promote health and leisure in the fresh sea air. Its bold Art Deco design and sweeping curves made it more than just a swimming spot—it was a statement of style and community.
Memories of a Summer Childhood
As a child growing up in the 1970s, a trip to the Cold Knap was a real event. We’d pack up sandwiches, bottles of Corona pop, and a tartan blanket, and set off early to grab a good spot on the grass. The pool itself was enormous—larger than any other I’d seen—and freezing cold, even on the hottest day. But we didn’t care.
There were diving boards at one end and shallower paddling areas at the other, perfect for younger kids. The concrete terraces surrounding the pool would radiate warmth by midday, and families would lounge on towels or prop up windbreakers against the breeze blowing off the Bristol Channel.
The pool was watched over by lifeguards in bright red trunks, and the nearby café would do a brisk trade in hot chips and ice cream. It was the kind of place where memories were made—first swims, sunburnt noses, and sticky fingers from melting lollies. Pontypridd Lido is still open for swimmers today click the link to read more.
The Lido’s Decline
But like many lidos across Britain, Cold Knap’s popularity began to fade in the 1980s. Overseas holidays became more affordable, and people swapped Barry’s breezes for Benidorm’s sun. By the early 1990s, the pool was in decline. Costs were rising, fewer people were visiting, and eventually, it was closed for good.
For a while, the site sat derelict, a shadow of its former self. The once-buzzing pool was drained, the diving boards removed, and the vibrant murals faded into concrete ghosts. To those of us who remembered it in its prime, it was heart-breaking.
What’s There Today
Today, the site of the old Cold Knap Lido has been landscaped into a pleasant, if understated, public garden. Unless you know the history, you might walk straight past and never realise what once stood there. But if you look closely, you’ll see the pool’s footprint still exists—a gentle hollow in the grass, following the same distinctive semi-circular shape of the original lido.
A small plaque nearby commemorates the site, and there have been community campaigns over the years to restore the lido or build a new facility. So far, none have succeeded.
The exact location of the old Cold Knap Lido is at the What3Words address: ///cure.chose.tried — a poetic little trio for a place so full of nostalgia.
Cold Knap Today
While the pool itself may be gone, Cold Knap remains a much-loved destination in Barry. The pebbled beach, just a stone’s throw from the old lido site, is a popular spot for dog walkers and families. The nearby boating lake is home to swans and ducks, and there’s a beautifully maintained green where children run, couples picnic, and people pause to enjoy the sea air.
The promenade has a few places to grab a coffee or an ice cream, and public toilets and parking are readily available. On summer weekends, you’ll often find an ice cream van parked up by the lake, just as there would’ve been back in the 70s.
The Cold Knap Gardens themselves, surrounding the former lido footprint, offer a peaceful space for reflection and relaxation. They’re often used for community events and family strolls, keeping the spirit of shared public space alive, even if the water’s long since gone.
Local Amenities Nearby
For those visiting today, Barry’s wider offering has improved significantly. Just a short walk away is the bustling Barry Island Pleasure Park, with its fairground rides and famous beach. There’s also a new seafront promenade, complete with eateries like Marcos Café—made famous by Gavin & Stacey—and more contemporary cafés and restaurants.
The Barry Tourist Railway offers a fun ride for kids and rail enthusiasts alike, and the area boasts several parks and walking routes along the Wales Coast Path. The nearby Porthkerry Country Park is a wonderful escape into nature with woodlands, a golf course, and wide open spaces for families.
A Lost Treasure, But Never Forgotten
The Cold Knap Lido may be gone, but it lives on in the memories of generations who once splashed and played beneath the Welsh sun. There’s something bittersweet about walking the site today—so quiet and green—imagining the joyful chaos that once filled the air.
I sometimes walk past and catch myself smiling at the echoes of the past. The Cold Knap was more than a pool. It was community, family, and freedom. It was a place where childhood felt endless and summers were always sunny, even if the water was bone-chillingly cold.
And while I wish my grandchildren could experience the lido as I did, I’m glad the Cold Knap remains a place of beauty, even if it’s a little quieter now. Despite the demise of Cold Knap Lido Barry, In contrast 40 Mins away is the PontyPridd Lido Open and ready for swimmers! Click the link above to read more.
