skip to main content
  • Join
  • Find centre
  • Book lesson or course
  • Book activity / login
    • All Memberships
    • Monthly Memberships
    • Student Membership
    • Swim Membership
    • Corporate Memberships
    • Pay As You Go Memberships
    • Concessionary Memberships
    • Day Passes
    • Library Memberships
    • Leisure Centres

      • Aqua Splash
      • Athletics
      • Badminton
      • Basketball
      • Better At Home
      • Birthday Parties
      • Climbing
      • Cycling
      • Diving
      • Fitness Classes
      • Football
      • For the Girls
      • Gym Workout
      • Gymnastics
      • Healthwise
      • Ice Skating
      • Junior Gym
      • Kids Activities
      • Outdoor Swimming
      • Personal Training
      • Racquet Sports
      • Senior Activities
      • Soft Play
      • Spa Experience Treatments
      • Squash
      • Swimming
      • Tennis
      • Trampoline and Play Park
      • Watersports
      • Weight loss with Better
    • Lessons and Courses

      • Tennis Lessons
      • Swimming Lessons
      • Performing Arts
      • Gymnastics Courses
      • Basketball Lessons
      • Tom Daley Diving Academy
    • Libraries

      • Adult Activities
      • Arts and Crafts
      • Children's Activities
      • English Language and Writing Groups
      • Film Club
      • Heritage Service
      • Reading Groups
      • Social Activities
      • Support and Advice
      • E-Resources
    • Children's Centres

      • Activities for Children
      • Employability Skills
      • Legal and Financial Support
      • Nursery
      • Pregnancy Support and Advice
    • Leisure
    • Libraries
    • Spa Experience
    • Venue Hire
    • Children's Centres
    • Creating Healthy Communities
    • Better Health For Me
    • Community Groups and Schools
    • Sports Clubs
    • Workplace Health
    • Community Stories
    • Our Partners
    • Skills for life
    • A Charitable Social Enterprise
    • Our Story
    • Our Values
    • Careers
    • News
  • Help Centre
    • Join
    • Find centre
    • Book lesson or course
    • Book activity / login
    • All Memberships
    • Monthly Memberships
    • Student Membership
    • Swim Membership
    • Corporate Memberships
    • Pay As You Go Memberships
    • Concessionary Memberships
    • Day Passes
    • Library Memberships
      • Aqua Splash
      • Athletics
      • Badminton
      • Basketball
      • Better At Home
      • Birthday Parties
      • Climbing
      • Cycling
      • Diving
      • Fitness Classes
      • Football
      • For the Girls
      • Gym Workout
      • Gymnastics
      • Healthwise
      • Ice Skating
      • Junior Gym
      • Kids Activities
      • Outdoor Swimming
      • Personal Training
      • Racquet Sports
      • Senior Activities
      • Soft Play
      • Spa Experience Treatments
      • Squash
      • Swimming
      • Tennis
      • Trampoline and Play Park
      • Watersports
      • Weight loss with Better
      • Tennis Lessons
      • Swimming Lessons
      • Performing Arts
      • Gymnastics Courses
      • Basketball Lessons
      • Tom Daley Diving Academy
      • Adult Activities
      • Arts and Crafts
      • Children's Activities
      • English Language and Writing Groups
      • Film Club
      • Heritage Service
      • Reading Groups
      • Social Activities
      • Support and Advice
      • E-Resources
      • Activities for Children
      • Employability Skills
      • Legal and Financial Support
      • Nursery
      • Pregnancy Support and Advice
    • Leisure
    • Libraries
    • Spa Experience
    • Venue Hire
    • Children's Centres
    • Creating Healthy Communities
    • Better Health For Me
    • Community Groups and Schools
    • Sports Clubs
    • Workplace Health
    • Community Stories
    • Our Partners
    • Skills for life
    • A Charitable Social Enterprise
    • Our Story
    • Our Values
    • Careers
    • News
  • Help Centre

Why choose Better?

Watch Video >>>

Home:

  1. Leisure Centres Breadcrumb Separator
  2. Cambridge Breadcrumb Separator
  3. Jesus Green Lido Breadcrumb Separator
  4. Outdoor Swimming
  • Overview
  • Timetable
  • Facilities
  • Activities
  • Prices
  • Memberships
  • Help Centre

Outdoor Swimming

BEFORE YOU VISIT

Our sessions are currently for experienced open water swimmers. If you are not used to swimming in open water, we strongly urge you NOT to start now unless you can do so under supervision and guidance. Before you plan a visit to Jesus Green Lido, please see and take on board official advice from Swim England for open water swimmers. 

At Jesus Green Lido we pride ourselves in offering the best and safest environment for open water swimming in Cambridge. All of our sessions are fully supervised by our qualified safety team.

BOOKINGS ARE ADVISED

To reserve your place at Jesus Green Lido, we recommend that you book your slot ahead of time so that you can guarantee your swim. Book your timeslot today online or on the Better UK app and choosing Jesus Green Lido as your preferred club. Click the link below for everything you need to know about creating a booking account and booking a swim through the Better UK app.

 

BOOKING ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE APP

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to complete an induction?

No, you do not need to complete an induction, however all of our swimmers will be given a cold water safety briefing before entering the water if it is below 14°C. If you would like any advice on open water swimming and how long to swim for, please speak to one of our team on site.

Do I need to book in advance?

Advanced bookings are not essential and you can just turn up and pay at reception. Please note we are a cashless facility so only payments by debit/credit card can be taken at the Lido. Pre-booking is available on the Better UK App or website (www.better.org.uk/book) 7 days in advance for members and 5 days in advance for non-members. To guarantee your space, particularly during hot spells of weather, we strongly recommend booking to avoid disappointment.

Bookings can be cancelled up to 4 hours before your session time and a credit applied to your account, however, bookings cancelled with less than 4 hours notice will not be credited and pre-paid members will have a £3 late cancellation charge applied to their account.

How long can I swim for?

Swim sessions are generally 50 minutes in length (with the exception being the end of the day whereby swims will be 40 mins and 30 mins up to the close). The last entry is 30 minutes before closing.

How many sessions can I book a day?

You can book multiple sessions a day. 

Can I bring umbrellas, deck chairs, snorkels, inflatables etc?

You can bring umbrellas and shade screens as long as they are not too large. The same for inflatables. Snorkels are only allowed for medical reasons and must be approved by management.

What time do I need to arrive at the centre?

To avoid congregation outside the facility or queuing, we ask that you arrive on time for the beginning of your session (no earlier or later). Swimmers will be admitted in a regulated order based on session start times.

Can I just turn up?

Yes, you can just turn up and wherever we have space we will do our best to allow entry. Please note: queues can be long on hot days so it is always advisable to check on the App or website first. If no sessions are showing, then the likelihood is we are at capacity which means no walk-ins.

Do I need to wear a wetsuit or tow float?

Wet suits are no longer compulsory when the water temperature is below 16 degrees. However we strongly recommend wearing a wet suit once the water temperature drops below 14 degrees.

Can I hire a wetsuit?

For your safety, we are not offering wetsuit hiring services at this time.

Is there anything else I need to bring?

Apart from the essentials, there is nothing else that you will need to bring with you. During colder months we also highly recommend bringing a hot drink to help with warming back up after your swim. This can also be purchased from our café.

Is there a café at the centre?

Yes, there is a café serving a range of hot/cold food and hot/cold drinks, along with ice creams and frozen ice drinks. Customers are welcome to bring their own food and drink but alcohol is strictly prohibited and anyone caught bringing in alcohol or consuming it will be asked to leave.

What temperature does the water need to be for me to swim?

There is no minimum water temperature to swim in, however we do strongly recommend wearing wetsuits to avoid hypothermia.

How will I know what the water temperature is?

The temperature varies greatly throughout the season as Jesus Green Lido is an unheated pool. We regularly update our temperature on the Jesus Green Lido page on the Better app – found in the Centre News tab, just below the opening times.

Do the sessions still go ahead when it rains?

Yes, sessions will still go ahead if it is raining. If there is thunder the pool will close for 30 minutes from the time of the last thunder heard. For lightning, we will be closed for 30 minutes from the time lightning was last seen.

Is there anywhere to change and leave my belongings?

We have male, female and accessible changing cubicles. Lockers are available too.

How much are the lockers?

You may purchase a locker token for 50p at reception. Please note we only take card payments.

What does it cost to swim?

For the latest swim prices, please visit our website and/or Jesus Green Lido page on the Better app.

Can children swim?

Yes, children are welcome at Jesus Green Lido. Children under 12 cannot take part in Swim for Fitness sessions but children of all ages are able to come for Swim for All sessions. Swim for All sessions are also bookable online and on the Jesus Green Lido page on the Better app. 

What is the last entrance time?

Please refer to our timetable for session times. Last entry is 30 minutes before the advertised closing time. To avoid congregation outside the facility or queuing, we ask that you arrive on time for the beginning of your session (no earlier or later). Out of consideration for fellow swimmers, you may be refused entry to your booked session if you are more than 10 minutes late.

Can I hire towels?

Towel hire is not available at Jesus Green Lido. 

How can I claim lost property?

Lost property is kept in our staff area. Please note we do not keep any items of underwear left at the facility, for hygiene reasons. If you wish to collect lost property. please come during opening times. To check whether we have your lost property, please send us an e-mail to Jesus.Green@GLL.ORG giving as much detail on the items as possible.

Do you have swimming hats, goggles to purchase?

Yes, there is a full range of goggles starting from £10 and swimming hats starting from £8.50, including Jesus Green Lido branded swimming hats to purchase.

Are changing rooms available? Male / Female / Changing village?

Yes, male, female and accessible changing facilities are available.

Is parking available and if so, how much does it cost?

There is no customer car park at Jesus Green Lido. On-road pay & display parking is available on Newmarket Road and the nearest multi-story car park is in the Grafton Centre.

Do you hold gender specific sessions?

No, we are a fully inclusive facility and all sessions are open to everyone.

What We Offer

  • Leisure
  • Lessons and Courses
  • Libraries
  • Spa Experience
  • Venue Hire
  • Children's Centres

Contact & Support

  • Help Centre
  • Contact Us
  • Media Enquiries
  • Terms and Policies
  • Sitemap

About Us

  • Our Story
  • Being a Charitable Social Enterprise
  • News
  • Careers
  • GLL Corporate Website
  • GLL Sport Foundation

Download app

download google_play_badge

Let's get social

  • Facebook.com/better
  • Youtube
  • @better_uk

Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no: XR43398.

Certified Social Enterprise Certified Social Enterprise
Launch Recite Me assistive technology

Accessibility