The outdoor pool welcomed 18,931 more visits than in 2025, when it recorded 45,824. Its busiest three-day spell was the May bank holiday weekend, when 2,373 visits were recorded as warm weather drew swimmers to the pool.

Across Hitchin and Letchworth lidos, visits rose by almost 44 per cent, from 88,910 last year to 127,820 this summer.

Both pools offered events alongside their regular lane and family swimming sessions, including floating sound baths and solstice swims. Hitchin also hosted North Herts' first Doggy Splash after localised flooding forced Letchworth Lido to close more than a week early. The relocated event attracted 281 dogs, with extra sessions added to meet demand.

Tim Melvin, Everyone Active's contract manager for North Herts, said: "It's fantastic to see just how much people have made the most of Hitchin and Letchworth lidos this summer.

"The response throughout the season, particularly during the hottest spells, has been a real reflection of the demand for outdoor swimming locally."

Cllr Amy Allen, North Herts Council's executive member for environment, said the figures showed "how much people enjoy having these facilities on their doorstep" and thanked everyone involved in the season.

The 2026 lido season has now ended. Letchworth Lido is due to reopen later this year as a festive ice rink.