The Sandford Parks Lido in Cheltenham has told visitors not to travel to the outdoor pool without a pre-booked session or a valid season ticket, after the Met Office issued a rare Red Extreme Heat Warning covering Gloucestershire. The warning came into force at 9am on Wednesday and runs until 9pm on Thursday, with temperatures forecast to climb as high as 40°C.
The Met Office said the two‑day warning reflects a period where maximum shade temperatures are expected to exceed 37°C and could break the all‑time June high of 35.6°C, recorded in 1976 and 1957. All advance bookings at the lido have already sold out for the week, and remaining weekend slots are extremely limited. A statement on the lido’s website cautioned that entry cannot be guaranteed for anyone arriving without a confirmed reservation.
On Saturday 27 June, only the shallow end of the 50-metre heated pool will be open for fun swimming, alongside three dedicated swimming lanes. The deep end will be closed for the day. The seasonal pool, which is run as a not‑for‑profit charitable trust by the Sandford Parks Lido charity, first opened in 1935 and is now in its 91st season.
The Met Office warning was first issued on Monday and extended on Wednesday morning to cover additional areas of central and southern England and Wales. Overnight temperatures are expected to stay above 20°C, which health officials warn reduces recovery time and compounds heat stress. The Met Office urged anyone heading to outdoor water sites to follow local safety advice and take extra care during the extreme conditions.
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