Tinside Lido – Heritage Renovation Supported by Multi Disciplinary Surveying
In May 2025, Plymouth’s Grade II* listed Tinside Lido — an iconic outdoor saltwater pool — reopened following an extensive £4.5 million refurbishment.
After years of deterioration and following an intensive eight‑month renovation programme, Tinside Lido has been carefully restored — including the revitalisation of two previously derelict surrounding buildings. The project marks a significant milestone in preserving one of Plymouth’s most iconic coastal landmarks.
Glanville Geospatial were proud to support this transformation by delivering a comprehensive suite of heritage surveying and geospatial services. Our technical insights provided accurate, reliable data that informed restoration planning, structural decision‑making, and the long‑term enhancement of this historic coastal asset.
Case Study in Detail
Multi-disciplinary Surveying Expertise
As part of the wider Tinside Lido renovation programme, our team delivered comprehensive multi‑disciplinary surveying services to support the sensitive restoration of the pool and its surrounding heritage structures. Accuracy was essential throughout the project due to the site’s listed status, coastal exposure, and uniquely complex Art Deco geometry.
Key Services Delivered
3D Laser Scanning
Using our FARO 3D Laser Scanner, we captured a highly detailed and accurate 3D point cloud covering the entire lido infrastructure and foreshore. This digital dataset formed the foundation for design coordination, structural inspections, and heritage preservation planning, ensuring every architectural feature was recorded with precision.
Measured Building Survey
From the scan data, we produced comprehensive measured building survey drawings of the derelict structures surrounding the pool. These outputs provided essential information for future development, structural assessment, and design decision‑making throughout the renovation process.
Topographic Survey
To support external works and construction logistics, our team also completed a full topographic survey of the Plymouth Hoe waterfront area. This included the lido terraces, sea walls, access routes, drainage systems, and the wider landscape, giving contractors accurate, up‑to‑date information for planning and delivering restoration works.
Challenges
Working within a tidal coastal zone required precise scheduling and rapid data capture to document the site before conditions changed. The lido’s distinctive Art Deco geometry — including curved façades, stepped terraces, and multi‑level elevations — demanded highly accurate 3D modelling to ensure every detail could support faithful restoration. Because Tinside Lido is a protected heritage asset, all surveying methods were designed to be entirely non‑intrusive and conservation‑friendly.
Outcomes
The resulting survey data played a crucial role in enabling the accurate restoration of the lido’s Art Deco architecture and informing structural repairs to its surrounding buildings. It also supported improved public access and safety planning, while helping to shape long‑term preservation strategies for the foreshore. These combined efforts have contributed to a revitalised community landmark that blends heritage value, modern functionality, and enhanced leisure facilities — now open for visitors for years to come.
cASE STUDY media & links
Links to further information
For more on the reopening of Tinside Lido, read the BBC coverage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz70138dy5xo
