The Strand Pool

The Strand Pool is a unique and historic outdoor leisure destination on Pier Road in Gillingham, Medway, Kent. Operating since 1896, it holds the distinction of being the UK's only saltwater riverside open-air swimming pool, offering a refreshing alternative to indoor facilities in the warmer months. The leisure complex includes an unheated saltwater outdoor pool with six 25-metre lanes for lap swimmers, a 300-metre lazy river, and a play area, as well as a cafe for refreshments. A newly developed splash pad, designed for children aged three to eleven, features 30 ground-level sensor-activated water jets and is free of charge for families. Sessions must be prebooked online, with the pool opening on weekends from May and daily during the school summer holidays. The setting alongside the River Medway provides a picturesque backdrop for a classic British outdoor swimming experience.