Bristol lido: it's a lido Jim, but not as we know it!

Tuesday: now the proper adventure really begins...

A night in the yurt at “Mole End” is an adventure in itself. It’s set on a decking platform in the trees on the edge of the Golden Valley. There is a little walk through a beautiful meadow of wild orchids and daisies, and field of friendly cows (I have overcome my cow phobia!) to find it, and at night, the path is gently lit by solar powered lamps. The kitchen on the decking has views of the sunset, and is well equipped with teapot, cafetiere and other Guardian reader cooking essentials.

The toilet is “composting” and set comfortably away from the yurt in a little wooden hut with a sculpted door, beautiful ceramic jug and bowl for washing and Neal’s Yard hand wash. It’s really no hardship.

Anyway, back to the lidotourbybike... we set off early on our bikes for the 35 mile cycle to Bristol lido. We were blessed with sunshine, a straightforward route and a tail wind and made it in just over 3 hours.

Bristol lido...ahhhh!: it’s a lido Jim, but not as we know it! This is lido luxury. A gorgeous heated infinity pool, surrounded on two sides by relaxed cafe seating and above by the excellent restaurant. Opposite is a run of outdoor changing cubicles, each “en suite” with its own over overhead shower, branded  lido toiletries (you have to wash naked before getting into the lido due to its extremely low chlorine levels) and heavy duty stripy curtain with special shiny metal claps (I love a shiny metal clasp) so that even in this very open communal space, you can secure it at either side and be truly private.

There is a luscious hot tub perched out of the way in the sunshine and there are sauna and steam room with windows looking out over the pool. I moseyed between these and the pool, lying on the lovely decking in the sun. There was no need for swimming laps after the cycle there (and we still had to get back). Anyway, it’s not what you’d call a “swimming pool”. A lane would spoil the aesthetics!

The restaurant is however every bit a restaurant. The two course lunch was to die for. Homemade potato bread, plaice with samphire, clams and other munchous stuff. If you are ever in Bristol, go here, to “swim”, relax, wash in the oxymoron of open-privacy and eat. It’s a hidden gem.