Who is ready to step into year ELEVEN of the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty?
The main 2026 Lido Ponty season begins at the start of the Easter holidays and tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday, March 9th.
You will be able to buy tickets for all sessions - early morning swims seven days a week, weekend and school holiday/bank holiday fun sessions - up to June 1 in the first ticket release.
Last year was a bumper one for Lido Ponty, as it celebrated 10 years since the official reopening of the attraction following a multi-million-pound regeneration of the old Lido that has stood in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd since 1927.
To date, the beloved venue has welcomed more than 880,000 visitors to its three outdoor, heated pools to enjoy early morning swims, cold water swims, family fun sessions, private hire school, ALN sessions, birthday parties and more.
More of the same is promised for 2026 and the first sessions of the main season get underway on Saturday, March 28, which is the first day of the two-week school Easter holidays.
That means the pool temperatures are back to 28 degrees and there will be two early morning swims and six family fun sessions – where all three pools are open and the inflatable obstacle course, water zorb and pedal boats will be out – every day of the week until Sunday, April 12th.
As soon as the schools go back on Monday, April 13th, the timetable will return to early morning swims seven days a week and family fun sessions on weekends and Bank Holidays only, up to June 1.
From June 1, we all hope summer will be well on its way as the timetable further increases to offer not only early morning swims every day and fun sessions on weekends, but also day time casual swims and after-school fun sessions.
You can see the full timetable here
The main season is fresh – literally – from another successful Winter cold water swim season at Lido Ponty. Pool water temperature has been increased back up to 28 degrees for all sessions.
Cllr Scott Emanuel, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Lido Ponty, said: “How lucky are we to have one of the best outdoor attractions in Wales right here on our doorsteps?
“It’s now been 11 years since the Lido re-opened after Rhondda Cynon Taf Council made the ambitious decision to secure the funding to enable the complete restoration and regeneration of the original Lido.
“The restoration was complicated and lengthy but has been worth it. Hundreds of thousands of people from across Wales and beyond have enjoyed outdoor swims in the heated waters of Lido Ponty.
“It’s been a film set, received Royal visitors (and the odd Gavin and Stacey star) and became a star of the show at the Rhondda Cynon Taf Eisteddfod, offering visitors the chance to swim on the Maes for the first time in the history of the venue.
“Last year marked 10 years of this landmark attraction and we know the stories and successes will continue in 2026”.
Tickets for the main season will go on sale at 9am on Monday, March 9th.
They can be purchased online only here
Please note:
The booking website has two sections – early morning swim and family fun.
Choose the early morning swim section if you wish to enjoy an early morning swim Monday-Sunday.
Choose the family fun section if you wish to enjoy a session with inflatables. Please be aware you must purchase an activity band (one for each person to use the inflatable obstacle course/water zorb/pedal boats. Tickets purchased without an activity band can be used for a swim only
Tickets are limited to six people per booking. If you try to book for more than six people, the system will not let you proceed.
There is a small booking charge per person. See the booking system for more information
Please ensure you check the Lido Ponty swimming ratios and ensure you have the correct number of adults to safely supervise accompanying children. Find them here:
Posted on 05/03/2026