History

It’s taken a lot of change to take Lakeside from a lido to an arts centre, but what a journey it’s been!

Through generous donations, some bright ideas, and a dedication to culture and arts in Nottingham, we are now a fabulous multi-venue arts centre that welcomes hundreds of thousands of people through our doors every year.

Our history

1924

A Lido at Lakeside

On the site where Lakeside's Djanogly Gallery is now, was once the biggest open-air swimming pool in the country, the Highfields Lido!

Gifted by Sir Jesse Boot to the city of Nottingham, it was a popular place for visitors to swim, sunbathe, chat, and have fun.

When it was built Highfields Lido was the largest lido in England. The Lido’s architect, Percy Morley Horder, drew on the Roman style of architecture and used red brick walling and pantile roofing for the main buildings, incorporating archways in front of the rows of changing cubicles to break up the line of the building.

It measured an impressive 330ft by 75ft and held 3,400,000 litres of water – all of which came from the boating lake.

The Lido lasted until 1980 when the City Council decided to close it permanently.

A black and white photo of a group of women swimming in an outdoor pool

1990

An Arts Centre for Nottingham

Former University of Nottingham Vice-Chancellor, Sir Colin Campbell, set up the Arts Centre Appeal committee.

The committee began to create plans for a new public art and visitor centre. Sir Colin wanted the arts centre to sit at the south entrance to the University where the lido used to be. Included in this committee were Thomas Angear (who the Angear Visitor Centre is named after) and our long-term benefactor Sir Harry Djanogly (who gives his name to our theatre and gallery).

Sir Colin Campbell sitting in an armchair in front of a bookshelf

1992

The Djanogly Gallery Opens

The Djanogly Gallery was opened to the public.

A black and white photo of the exterior of a gallery building with the banner

1994

The Djanogly Recital Hall Opens

The brand new, state-of-the-art Djanogly Recital Hall and teaching spaces for the Music Department were opened.

A black and white photo of the exterior of the recital hall

2001

From Sports Pavilion to Arts Pavilion

The DH Lawrence Pavilion was opened with a 213 seat theatre and two exhibition spaces.

After the success of the gallery and recital hall, a project called The Jubilee Campaign was set up to create a professional theatre space (the Djanogly Theatre), public exhibition space for Manuscripts & Special Collections (the Weston Gallery), and an informal white-box gallery space (the Wallner Gallery).

Edgar and Judith Wallner, alumni and keen Nottingham New Theatre alumni, helped support this development alongside Sir Harry Djanogly, and the Garfield Weston Foundation.

This new Pavilion replaced the the old Highfields Park Pavilion which used to house gym equipment and served as a social space. Those white balconies that sit by the lake today are all that remain of the old Pavilion.

The opening of the DH Lawrence Pavilion in 2001 marked the first time Lakeside Arts was launched as a combined arts centre like the Lakeside you know today.

A black and white photo of an interior hall with gymnasium equipment including balance beams and horses

2003

Our First In-House Production

The first ever Lakeside in-house production, Krapp's Last Tape, was put on in the theatre.

A man sits on stage in the dark with a table and lots of tapes scattered around him

2004

A Bigger Better Pavilion

The Performing Arts Studio, Visual Arts Studio and Artist in Residence Studios were added to the Pavilion building.

2005

The First Wheee! Festival

Lakeside launched Wheee! An international children’s festival.

Families walk towards the Lakeside Building on a sunny day. There is a poster advertising the Wheee! Festival on a fence to the left]

2011

Expansion and Growth

The University of Nottingham Museum was relocated to Lakeside, and the Djanogly Gallery was expanded.

A group of people look at Lowry Paintings in the Djanogly Gallery

2024

Your Favourite Place

We've been open for over 30 years!

Lakeside Arts is now a thriving multi-venue arts centre, with a full programme of music, exhibitions, theatre, and workshops for all ages. Over 150,000 people visit us each year and enjoy the incredible events, shows and festivals that are put on.

Lakeside’s success and ongoing development is largely due to the University’s continued commitment and financial support. With a fantastic team and creatives that work with us, Lakeside continues to grow and cement itself as a beloved Nottingham venue.

A family smile whilst watching a theatre show

Fun Facts

The Djanogly Recital Hall is one of the best in the UK. It has incredible acoustics which make it a favourite with the BBC for recording and broadcasting.
The University of Nottingham Museum has twice won Museum of the Year in the Nottinghamshire Heritage Awards.
You can still see part of the old Pavilion by the lake – just look for the white balconies!

With Gratitude to Our Generous Patrons

The University is extremely grateful to a number of donors who have generously supported the arts developments at Lakeside, including Sir Harry and Lady Djanogly, Thomas and Patricia Angear, Edgar and Judith Wallner, and our many wonderful Lakeside Members and other philanthropic supporters. Thank you also to Manuscripts and Special Collections for their sourcing of our historic images.

Image Credits:
1992: University of Nottingham, Manuscripts and Special Collections ACC 3070.
1994: University of Nottingham, Manuscripts and Special Collections ACC 3070.
2001: University of Nottingham, Manuscripts and Special Collections, UR 1389/31

Theatre & Dance

The Animator

Thu 27 Feb 2025

Exhibition

Cosmic Titans: Art, Science and the Quantum Universe

Sat 25 Jan – Sun 27 Apr 2025