Art Deco Saltdean: 2. Lido and Cafe

Saltdean's Lido was constructed in 1938 (architect, R.W.H. Jones) and is the only Grade II listed Lido in the UK. However, due to its sea-facing location, the structure has suffered decades of chloride-attack which has allowed sea salts to penetrate the building. I last visited in 2016 when the site, after years of neglect, had been purchased by the Saltdean Lido CIC (SLCIC) with a mission to safeguard and restore Saltdean Lido for the benefit of the city and future generations to come.

Ann Miles Blog: Saltdean, Sussex. Lido and Seafront (pin-sharp.blogspot.com)

The pool opened for three summer seasons (2017 onwards) and attracted nearly 40,000 visitors in the first year. The 40m pool tank is the largest in Brighton and makes it an ideal facility for serious swimmers, and families.   

However, the Grade II* listed Art Deco building is in a dilapidated condition and was largely closed to the public. This is a common issue shared by many coastal modernist structures of this period - most notably, the De La Warr Pavilion. The rennovation is now under way but  the building remains on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register. 

The 1930's cliff-top cafe is a delight with blankets and even hot water bottles supplied and the walk along to Rottingdean just as I remember it from childhood holidays.

Art Deco Saltdean, Brighton. 1 Ocean Hotel

 The Ocean Hotel Saltdean (Grand Ocean Hotel)  has dominated the skyline of Saltdean from the thirties.  It was designed by the architect Richard Jones who also designed the nearby Saltdean Lido.   Emulating the grand designs from the Art Deco period the hotel opened in 1938.  This vast hotel had 344 bedrooms and a dining hall that could seat 300 people. It was used in the war by the Auxillary Fire Service and Butlins did not reopen till 1953.  Sold in July 1999 to the Grand Hotel Group the hotel remained open until January 2005. Planning permission was granted in June 2005 to convert the site into apartments. 

Historical Toft 2. Armshold Lane

My walk on Tuesday took me along a lane, Armshold Lane, that on the 1900 was driveable up to the railway track and then, as now, stopped. The land beyond this is marked as 'Liable to Floods' which is certainly still true!! though the Meridian Golf course have attempted to control this on their land by digging deep ponds. The lane is now enclosed much of the way by tall trees that meet overhead - it looked particularly magical in the thick hoar frost. 

Historical Toft 1. Railway Embankment

 When I moved to Toft in 1967 trains were still running between Oxford and Cambridge. It had been operational for over 100 years. The line closed after the last day of service on 30th December 1967. The embankment in Toft is completely overgrown but part of the original fencing is still evident while horses graze undisturbed in the neighbouring fields. The hoar frost and bright sunshine gave a new feel to the woodland.

Hoar Frost, Mist and Trees

Sunday morning was magical in Toft with a heavy hoar frost and mist giving soft colours and lightness to the landscape. I walked across to Eversden encountering many Hares though they never allow close approach.