Lido opens in early hours to mark summer solstice

A Derbyshire outdoor pool opened up extra early to mark the summer solstice.

New Bath Hotel lido in Matlock Bath opened at 04:00 BST to mark the longest day of the year and visitors were rewarded with a colourful sky to start their morning.

The solstice always occurs between 20 and 22 June, and during a leap year (such as 2024) it always falls on 20 June.

Pool manager, Jason Skipper, said the turnout for the first summer solstice swim session was "nuts".

"We decided to put on a solstice session because we had never done it before and it was timed perfectly as it’s the lido's 90th birthday," said Mr Skipper.

"The opportunity to swim with the sun rising was quite a special moment. We will definitely do this again, what is there not to like?."

Virginia Street, a lifeguard at the pool, said she had been there as early as 03:40.

She added: "It’s a real privilege to be here this morning.

"As we are in a valley, we could see the lovely pink sky from the pool."

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