Grimley-on-Severn Lido – A 1920s – 1970s Sunday afternoon outing
A very personal page!
Grimley-on-Severn Lido in Worcestershire
It was a favourite haunt for many families and us! Great fun bathing, and camping in the farmers field. Milk and egg collections, drinks and refreshments were served from a “lean to” attached to 15th/16th century cottages.
The Wagon Wheel – Grimley-on-Severn. From “lean to” on the back of cottages serving the bathers, eventually graduating to the “A La Carte” Restaurant of today.
Grimley-on-Severn Lido was a must for a Sunday afternoon outing (after Sunday School). Lots of childhood memories. Days of the balmy summer weather.
Families would pack a picnic for a long day and with the farmers consent have a few days away from it all. They would take along their camping gear. Many many days were spent in this lovely paradise when all the summer days seemed long and warm.
The banks of the river along the stretch of the “Lido” were carefully maintained and trimmed, and there were steps. Usually these were of packed mud. They led down to the little beaches to play, paddle and the more adventuresome waded into the water further and took a swim across the river. Meadows stretched far back and the feeling was of freedom and space
River Bathing during the 50s was at its height and Grimley-on-Severn was no exception.
OUTCOME: The Grimley-on-Severn Lido was an escape away from it all until the 70s, when certain health and safety rules concerning swimming in rivers came into force. The “Lido” closed, and the farmland is devoid of the family activities of the past. Although still lovely, there is a quiet that wasn’t there in the 40s – 60s, lacking the squeals of excitement as little toes wiggled at the waters edge.
Geo referenced 1937 – 61 map. We swum and camped here. Will expand to full view.
It’s now a peaceful fishing haven with cows quietly grazing
A personal Sunday afternoon treat with Mum and Dad. I wonder how many remember swimming, camping and spending carefree picknicing days here, like I and my sisters did?[…]
Read more about river swimming…Scours Lane Reading, in the Thames
Ah thank you Alan for querying this. I will look into it. Yes it was a wonderful place and very much a part of my growing up with my parents and family, and yes I remember how sandy it was! Thanks for your memory.
Anne
I’ve lived in the village for over 50yrs and my farmer was the farm manager for all the land around the village and along the Severn
I am not sure you have the right beach are identified correctly as the field with that beach is known/called by the farmers as PIKRUST the field called the lido is on the other side (left) of the lane leading to the river
This beach area used to be a lovely sandy beach where I played as a child, now unfortunately over grown (PIKRUST beach is a stoney beach)
Hi, I live in the village. If you email me a copy of the photo I may be able to identify it. Several cottages along the river ended up becoming derelict because of flooding.
HI THERE
SEARCHING FAMILY ANCESTRY I HAVE COME ACROSS THE NAME FARMER
MY ANCESTORS WERE THOMAS MEDLICOTT LIVING IN GRIMLEY VILLAGE
MOST OF THE COTTAGES DIDN’T HAVE NAMES AND LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PINPOINT EXACTLY WHERE THEY LIVED.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR PICTURE THOUGH AS IT MIGHT HELP ME VISUALISE WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE LIVING THERE
Hello, I came across your Grimley Lido account and found it very interesting as my grand father Ernest Farmer was born in Grimley in 1884 and lived along side the river, in fact when he was born the river was in flood up to the bedroom floor. He lived at a cottage called Severnside. I am trying to trace this cottage without any luck, as I can’t find it on the OS map. I have a photo of it and also a photo of my great grandfather and wife on a boat near Severnside.
I wonder if any of your contacts who maybe from the area know of this cottage. I hope you can help. Many thanks