Perched at the edge of Plymouth Hoe, Tinside Lido has framed the city’s relationship with the sea since 1935. A Grade II listed Art Deco landmark, its bold curves and civic presence are deeply embedded in Plymouth’s identity. Yet decades of exposure, changing patterns of use, and the realities of a harsh marine environment left the Lido underutilised and in need of a sensitive, future-facing transformation. 

As part of Plymouth City Council’s vision for the UK’s first National Marine Park, the restoration of Tinside Lido set out to do more than conserve.

Led by LHC Design, the project reimagines the Lido as a vibrant, inclusive, year-round destination—one that respects heritage while embracing resilience, sustainability, and contemporary public life, with Accoya playing a defining role in that transformation. The project’s impact and craftsmanship were recognised with the 2026 Project of the Year award from the Wood Protection Association.

The ambition was clear: restore the architectural integrity of the Lido while unlocking its potential for modern use. Original Art Deco details were carefully repaired and celebrated, while new interventions were introduced with clarity and restraint—legible as contemporary additions, yet sympathetic to the building’s character.  

Underused internal spaces were reconfigured into flexible community hubs for education, events, and gatherings. Above, the roof terrace was transformed into an active public realm, complete with seating, café facilities, and uninterrupted views across Plymouth Sound. Accessibility improvements, permanent ramps, and inclusive facilities ensure the Lido is welcoming to all. 

Tinside Lido is exposed to salt spray, high humidity, storm events, and intensive public use, making material choice critical for protecting the historic fabric and ensuring longevity. 

Accoya was specified as part of a conservation strategy: a modern material used visibly to distinguish new interventions from historic structure, in line with best-practice heritage principles. Across sun terrace decking, doors, windows, benching, planters, handrails, and joinery repairs, Accoya delivers durability without compromise.

Its Class 1 durability, dimensional stability, and resistance to rot, moisture, and insect attack make it uniquely suited to marine conditions—while retaining the warmth and tactility of real wood. 

Left uncoated, Accoya weathers naturally to a soft silver-grey patina, creating a calm, confident material language that complements the restored Art Deco forms and ages gracefully alongside the sea.

Accoya’s stability allowed the design team to work with slimmer profiles, tighter tolerances, and refined detailing—particularly for doors, windows, handrails, and curved elements exposed to the elements. 

Historic windows and doors were repaired using traditional joinery techniques to match existing details, while new elements employed modern engineered joinery and fixings for durability and ease of installation. Curved timber sections were prefabricated off site, leveraging Accoya’s predictable behaviour to reduce on-site risk and ensure a high-quality finish. 

Tricoya panels were specified for robust seasonal storm shutters. Installed during winter, these large-format panels protect vulnerable openings against extreme weather while offering exceptional durability, dimensional stability, and low maintenance. 

Sustainability was embedded throughout the project—from material selection to energy performance upgrades. Accoya’s FSC®-certified sourcing, non-toxic modification process, and long service life support a low-embodied-carbon approach, reducing the need for future replacement and maintenance cycles.
 

Today, Tinside Lido feels both renewed and enduring. Accoya brings warmth, comfort, and human scale to public spaces designed for gathering, reflection, and movement. Its smooth surfaces invite touch; its natural grain and silvery tones echo the coastal setting; its performance ensures confidence in the face of an unpredictable climate. 

More than a restoration, the project safeguards a much-loved landmark while redefining its role in the city—reconnecting Plymouth with the water at its doorstep and ensuring Tinside Lido continues to serve its community for generations to come. 

Client: Plymouth City Council 
Project Manager: Currie & Brown 
Lead Designer / Architects: LHC Design 
Structural Engineers: Airey & Coles 
M&E: SDS 
Planning Consultant: Devon & Cornwall Planning Consultant 
Main Contractor: Nevada Construction 
AProducts Used: Accoya Natural and Tricoya 
Applications: Decking, doors, windows, benching, planters, handrails, storm shutter 
Photography: Richard Downer Photography