Spacehive crowdfunding campaign launched to resurrect London's Peckham Lido
A crowdfunding campaign will be launched today (13 May) to revive a historic lido in Peckham, South East London, with a new design by architecture practice Studio Octopi.
The original 50 metre (164ft) outdoor swimming pool, called the Peckham Rye Lido, served swimmers and sunbathers from 1923 until 1987 before closing. The pool was filled in and now only a crumbling fountain remains where it once stood.
Community group Peckham in South-East London plan to build a new lido on the exact site of the old one. They enlisted Studio Octopi – who have worked on a crowdfunded scheme to create outdoor baths in the River Thames – to design an Olympic-sized pool and a wild swimming pond channelling the River Peck, which runs directly under the site.
Described as a “modern mecca for sunbathing, health and wellbeing to attract all walks of life,” the lido will be surrounded on two sides by a new ‘Peckham Beach’. It will feature single-storey pavilions housing a gym, yoga studio, café, multi-purpose community space and rooftop sunbathing area. On the other two sides, the lido will be open to the existing topography and trees of the site, and space for an outdoor cinema.
Peckham in South-East London aims to raise £60,000 (US$86,400, €72,200) to fund the next phase in development and planning applications, and is launching a campaign on crowdfunding platform Spacehive which will run until 31 July 2016.
“Peckham like the rest of London is changing so quickly right now,” said founder of the campaign, Ben Lloyd-Ennals. “It's essential we harness this great energy and prosperity to keep London fun and livable; which is what the Peckham Lido is all about. We should not be closing lidos. We should be saving them, and building more.”
In addition to the Spacehive campaign, the organisers are in discussions with local commercial organisations about sponsorship and partnerships. They have also received backing from Southwark Council, local MP Harriet Harman and artist Tracey Emin.
In the last decade, outdoor swimming in the UK has enjoyed something of a renaissance, with outdoor pools re-opening across the country. Ennals said this trend can breathe new life into deprived communities, boost local employment and create invaluable swimming facilities for local schools and swimming clubs.
Spacehive Peckham Peckham Rye Lido Studio Octopi architecture designPeckham Coal Line: Elevated London park moves closer to reality as developers choose project architects
Competition seeks architects to design a High Line for London
Studio Octopi kicks off crowdfunding campaign for Thames Baths project
Studio Octopi selected to resurrect Peckham Rye Lido
Crowdfunding campaign for swimming pool in London’s Thames
Peckham Space opens
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming. The latest addition, Oberon, extends the visitor experience beyond the gallery, reflecting a growing trend for museums to become all-day destinations.
The New Museum in New York has entered a new chapter with the completion of a major
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
Montana Heritage Center by Cushing Terrell opens after US$107 million investment
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
'Minor wellness hotels' recorded the strongest growth across top KPIs in 2025, finds RLA Global
Great Barrier Reef attraction set for AU$180 million reinvention
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has architecture by Leach Rhodes Walker and interiors by Bergman Design House.
Marriott International partners with Fitwel for wellness solutions across its residential portfolio
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort to unveil new spa in February 2027
Places Leisure is working with Roberts Limbrick to build £60m wellness flagship in Basingstoke
Hoshino Resorts opens Kai Kusatsu as it expands the Kai onsen ryokan brand
Qiddiya and Populous share details of Saudi Arabia’s National Tennis Centre
Disney confirms US$30 billion investment programme as it highlights its economic impact
Until combines multiple disciplines at new Canary Wharf club
Sea Lanes opens following a partnership between The Eden Project and Canary Wharf Group
Bas Smets brings water and wilderness to Vitra
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Luxury resort coming to Hunter Valley will have longevity spa
'Data chocolate', dreams made real and artworks shaped by visitors’ emotions: Refik Anadol’s AI art museum launches in Los Angeles
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Palazzo di Varignana launches family wellbeing and longevity retreat in Emilia Romagna
Anasa Wellness and Spa debuts at Patmos Aktis as it joins Marriott
Design-led Koru Health Club combines high-performance training with recovery
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the





















