£154,000 boost for sea baths restoration

More than £154,000 of National Lottery heritage funding will be poured into the restoration of Lymington’s historic sea water baths.

The town council said it was “delighted” to learn it had been awarded £154,800 towards the revamp of one of the UK’s oldest surviving open-air sea water baths.

In a statement, the council said: “The Grade II listed Lymington sea water baths first opened in 1833 and are an important part of the town’s coastal, social and leisure heritage.

“Unlike many later lidos built in the 1920s and 1930s, the baths reflect an earlier period of sea water bathing and have a distinctive character and design shaped by their coastal location.

“The facility remains a much-loved part of Lymington’s identity, with memories of the site shared across generations.”

The council said the initial development funding from the Lottery will go towards “vital early work” that is needed to “understand the baths properly and plan responsibly” before restoration work can begin.

The project will include architectural design work up to a “concept design” stage, supported by specialist structural, engineering, environmental and heritage assessments.

The council spokesperson continued: “This will help the council understand the condition of the site, the challenges created by its marine location and open-bottom construction, and the likely costs and options for future restoration.

“A heritage review will also explore the history, significance and unique features of the baths, including their early sea water design and historic aeration fountains.

“Working with local partners, the council hopes to share the story of the baths in an accessible and engaging way, helping more people understand why the site matters historically.”

The public will be invited to share their views, memories and aspirations for the future of the baths to ensure any future proposals are “shaped by local people and reflect the needs of the wider community”.

The project will include a “business options” appraisal, looking at how the baths could be operated and maintained sustainably in the long term.

The town mayor said: “We are thrilled to have received this initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can now develop our plans to better understand, protect and celebrate the Lymington Sea Water Baths.

“This is an important step, but it is also a careful one. Before any decisions are made about future restoration, we need to understand the heritage, engineering, environmental and financial issues in detail. This funding allows us to do that work properly and to involve the community in shaping the next chapter of this remarkable site.”

The town council said it will share further information about consultation opportunities and project updates in the coming months, with residents encouraged to “get involved, share their memories and help shape the future” of the baths.