Tickets for the 2026 season at Lido Ponty will go on sale next week as the National Lido of Wales prepares to welcome visitors for its eleventh year since reopening.
The main season at the popular outdoor swimming venue in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd will begin at the start of the Easter holidays, with tickets available from 9am on Monday, March 9.
In the first ticket release, visitors will be able to book sessions up to June 1, including early morning swims running seven days a week, along with weekend and school holiday family fun sessions.
Last year was a milestone for Lido Ponty as it celebrated ten years since the attraction reopened following a multi million pound regeneration of the historic pool complex, which originally opened in 1927.
Since reopening, the venue has welcomed more than 880,000 visitors who have enjoyed its three heated outdoor pools through a wide range of activities including early morning swims, cold water sessions, family fun days, school sessions, private hire and birthday parties.
The first sessions of the 2026 main season will begin on Saturday, March 28, the first day of the two week Easter school holidays. During this period the pools will be heated to 28 degrees, with two early morning swims and six family fun sessions scheduled each day until Sunday, April 12.
Family fun sessions will see all three pools open alongside attractions including an inflatable obstacle course, water zorb and pedal boats.
When schools return on Monday, April 13, the timetable will revert to early morning swims seven days a week, with family fun sessions held on weekends and bank holidays up to June 1.
From June 1 the programme will expand further to include daytime casual swims and after school fun sessions, alongside the regular early morning swims and weekend activities.
The start of the main season follows another successful winter cold water swimming programme at the site, with the pool temperature now increased back to 28 degrees for the upcoming season.
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 go on sale at 9am on Monday, March 9.
