Published: Friday, 15th May 2026
Are you ready for the Big Splash?
A fun-packed day of swimming, dodgeball, pickleball, football – and of course, birdwatching! – will celebrate the reopening of Medway’s famous Strand Lido and Leisure Park.
Celebrating its 130th anniversary this summer, it’s an extra special year for The Strand, and Saturday 23 May will not only see the reopening of the ever-popular Lido, but will bring added excitement with the launch of the new PlayZone – one of three new PlayZones across Medway following a £694,488 grant from the Football Foundation.
The special event will celebrate the whole park and give everyone the chance to try out new sports and park activities, as well as find out about water safety advice and much more.
Timetable of events:
- 10.30am: 2026 season opening of The Lido and Splashpad
- 10.30am to 2.30pm: Join City of Rochester Lifesaving Club at The Lido for lifesaving and rescue skills
- 11.30am: Official opening of the NEW PlayZone and outdoor table tennis
- 11.30am to 1.30pm: Join The Medway Bluetits (outdoor swimming community) in the Lido
- 11.45am: Family pickleball with Katie B in the PlayZone
- 12.15pm: Family multi-sport with Katie B in the PlayZone
- 12.30pm: Family dodgeball with Strive in the PlayZone
- 1.30pm: Family football skills and drills with Gillingham FC in the PlayZone
Cllr Nina Gurung, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and Leisure, said: “I hope as many people as possible will come and join us in celebrating this special day for a very special place. The Strand in Gillingham is one of Medway’s best-loved leisure destinations and has been providing great family fun for well over a century. I am very pleased that we are able to bring the new PlayZone to the Strand, which is a fantastic new addition to enjoy all kinds of great sports, and follows us successfully delivering the new Splash Pad and refurbished tennis courts last year. This means there’s now so much more to enjoy at the Strand in Gillingham, not just on Saturday, but throughout the summer, and for years to come.”
Throughout the celebrations on Saturday, a number or groups and organisations will be on site to offer entertainment and insight.
Bird and nature experts, Birdwise, along with RSPB Medway, will be on hand with their birdwatching equipment, introducing you to the birds of The River Medway; while Child Friendly Medway will bring their friendly River Medway creature, Mojo, and invite families to take part in the family friendly trail.
The brilliant ‘Save a Baby's Life’ team will in the park giving valuable first-aid and CPR advice, and there will also be a chance to meet the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) mascot, Perry, and maybe challenge him to a game of tennis on our new courts.
The Medway Council Public Protection team will also be in the park giving dog ownership, safety and responsibility advice, as well as offering free microchip checking and giveaways.
Refurbished tennis courts opened last year at the Strand Leisure Park
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in June this year, The Strand Lido is a piece of living history – a hub of family fun since the days of Queen Victoria, and the only remaining riverside tidal saltwater pool in the country.
One crucial aspect of The Strand’s unique appeal lies in the fact it still uses salt water from the river, which is pumped into the pool during spring high tides before going through extensive filtering, vacuuming and chlorination, to make it safe for swimmers and bathers.
Much has changed over the years, with the additions the miniature railway, play parks, and outdoor gym turning The Strand into a multi-faceted attraction, enjoyed by generations of Medway families and visitors.
The Strand continues to evolve, and last year saw the opening of fantastic new refurbished tennis courts and Splash Pad – a beach-themed water feature, where children can splash and play for free among more than 30 ground-level sensor-activated water jets.
All in all it means the Strand’s enduring appeal – which has lasted over three separate centuries and under seven monarchs – looks set to endure a while longer still, and maybe the 130th summer at the Strand could be the best yet!
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The Strand PlayZone will be available for community bookings including football, netball, pickleball, basketball and cricket, along with free drop-in sessions as part of our Summer of Sport 2026.
Further PlayZones will soon be available for play at Maidstone Road Sports Ground - Chatham and Deangate Sports Ground - Hoo. The new PlayZones have been delivered thanks to investment from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation and Medway Council Section 106 fund.