Historic Lymington sea water baths receive grant to support restoration efforts

Lymington and Pennington Town Council has received a £154,800 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to explore the long-term restoration and protection of the Grade II-listed Lymington Sea Water Baths, which date back to 1833 and are among the oldest open-air sea water bathing sites in the UK.

The Mayor of Lymington and Pennington Town Council, Colm McCarthy, 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.

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Lymington and Pennington Town Council has received a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. (Image: Lymington & Pennington Town Council)

“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.”

Development funding will not lead to immediate restoration work on-site.

Instead, it will support essential preparatory studies, including architectural designs up to concept stage, as well as structural, engineering, environmental, and heritage assessments.

The project will review the historical significance of the baths, exploring features such as their early sea water design and historic aeration fountains.

Community engagement will be at the heart of the scheme, with residents, users, schools, businesses, and visitors invited to share their memories and ideas for the site’s future.

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The baths were built in 1833. (Image: St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery)

The council also plans to conduct a business options appraisal to ensure any future operation is financially sustainable.

Built in 1833, the baths predate the lidos of the 1920s and 1930s and have a distinct character rooted in their coastal setting.

They remain a cherished part of Lymington’s identity, with generations of families having enjoyed the facilities.

The council will share further information on public consultations and project updates in the coming months and is encouraging residents to get involved and help shape the future of the historic site.