The very last place you would expect to want to spend a cold spring day would be in an outside swimming pool in the centre of Clifton but this was where I was headed; the sun was shining, which was a Brucie Bonus, and I had heard whispers that the pool was actually deliciously warm in the fully restored Victorian pool in the heart of Clifton, the Lido.

A resplendent and sympathetic restoration process has meant that The Clifton Lido has effortlessly achieved the goal to restore and possibly surpass the quality of the lido from the Victorian age; a pool opened for ornamental and medicinal purposes and a place of relaxation and courtship. Terrifying to think that the site was due to be demolished and turned into social housing less than 20 years ago. The masonry work is impeccable both inside and out, with not a penny spared nor in fact wasted. Solar tubes sit on the roof of the restaurant catching all the escaping heat from the kitchen along with any heat from the sun which in-turn heats the pool. Pretty nifty eh? A perfect example of the ever-present synergy here between an old ideal and modern, green engineering.

The treatment rooms are quiet and relaxing and the many treatments on offer are the ideal tonic to a busy life. I personally loved the body scrub, vigorous yet relaxing, but make your own choice from their long list on offer; massages, aromatherapy and wraps of all types are available. The treatments are all mass pampering sessions, an hour to cast away the cares of modern life and to concentrate on the most important thing in the world, you!

I find it impossibly hard to pull myself out of the jacuzzi for lunch, but I am especially glad I do; the restaurant is full at 12.30pm - a great sign! The décor hums Bristol from its core; Bristol Blue Glass is used to decorate the seating and every glass item you care to see in front of you. Sour bread and olives to start with a crisp Italian white wine, rich and creamy pan-fried Gurnard with capers as a main and deliciously light and fragrant rosewater ice cream to finish. There is nothing I could fault about the food whatsoever. It was simply glorious.

The building consists of a heated pool, jacuzzi, treatment rooms, sauna, steam rooms and a top class restaurant and bar. It would be easy to while away an entire day here even if you don’t live close enough to warrant application for permanent membership - I am a little jealous that I don’t live on its doorstep and get to come every morning before work!

The Clifton Lido is a rousing success, quietly opulent and hinting of a bygone age; a thoroughly modern approach to building with the masonry and splendour of yesteryear. A delight in architecture and a delight in relaxation, pampering and decadence: The Clifton Lido is truly something Bristol should be proud of.

www.lidobristol.com