Plymouth's affinity with the water is no secret. We have been home to Olympic medallists, record breakers and, of course, have a long-standing naval connection.

Perhaps the most iconic place to swim in Britain’s Ocean City is the Hoe. For years the area has been a favourite spot for Plymothians to strip off and cool off.

In the 1800s, bathing on The Hoe was commonplace. There were mobile changing rooms which allowed people to change and wade into the Sound, and men and women alike took to the water - although it must be noted that they were expected to be separated and dressed appropriately for the time (forget bikinis).

Promenade Pier on Plymouth Hoe, also known simply as Plymouth Pier, was local man Ernest Lancaster's idea and was built by acclaimed architect Eugenius Birch (Image: The Richard Riding Collection/National Piers Society)

During this period, the Hoe was home to its famous Promenade Pier, which attracted tourists in its own right. As a result of this and an already booming domestic tourism industry between the wars, Plymouth invested in its iconic Tinside Lido.

Built and opened in 1935, the outdoor swimming pool was designed by architect John Wibberley. 180 feet in diameter, the reinforced concrete structure is filled with seawater and varied in depth from two feet to an amazing nine feet at its deepest.

It had a diverse life, starting as a Ladies Bathing Place when the entry was just a penny. However, its popularity grew and before long was welcoming people of every age and gender.

Are you a regular visitor of Tinside, have you got any cherished childhood memories there? Let us know below in the comments below.

(Image: UNKNOWN)

During the war, the Lido served as a public bathhouse when waterlines were compromised by bombing.

Sadly, popularity declined throughout the 80s and 90s, eventually forcing it to close in 1992 as lack of funds left it in a state of disrepair.

Tinside was looking damaged and dilapidated by the year 2000 - but hundreds of locals were campaigning to have the iconic pool restored

In spite of this, the public spoke out and collected over 70,000 signatures in a petition for its reopening. The Tinside Action Group were even able to qualify the structure for Grade II Listed Status. After a £3.4 million cash injection, the pool was refurbished and opened to the public in 2003.

Now it is just one of 12 such pools in the country and instrumental to how we Plymothians enjoy our coast during the summer months.

Tinside Lido is a stunning outdoor lido with incredible views out to Plymouth Sound (Image: Penny Cross / Plymouth Live)

However, there were some downsides to the project. The pontoons across the Hoe were removed over fears concerning health and safety, and the public was encouraged to use newly refurbished Tinside instead.

Another victim of health and safety were the diving boards, removed in 2010 after a 15-year-old boy fell from the platform and was badly injured. Divers had used the podium for competitions since the 1930s.

In spite of everything, Plymouth’s swimming culture is seemingly returning to its glory days after earlier this summer it was announced that pontoons will be returning as the city prepares to make an impression as the UK’s first National Marine Park.

You can stay up to date on the top news and events near you with PlymouthLive's FREE newsletters – enter your email address at the top of the page or go here.