Mural covering outdoor pool's walls unveiled

2 January 2026

Tom Jackson,in Cambridgeand

Katy Prickett

News image — The mural includes an image of King's College, Cambridge, as well as people walking, cycling and swimming

Tom Jackson/BBC A fence painted with a mostly green and blue mural. It shows a bright blue undulating river, a figure swimming in the water on the far left, a male figure striding alongside and above the river are trees and the outline of the King's College, Cambridge chapel. On the right is a sign saying Jesus Green Lido in large block capitals. — The mural includes an image of King's College, Cambridge, as well as people walking, cycling and swimming

A green and blue mural has been unveiled on fences surrounding an outdoor swimming pool in an attempt to protect them from graffiti.

The artwork at the Jesus Green Lido in Cambridge is believed to be the longest mural in the city, stretching along some 65 metres of fencing and concrete walls.

Artist Anugrah Mishra said he hoped it would "capture the joy and energy of swimming while reflecting the city's heritage".

Lifeguard Zach Walsh Wall said: "It looked a bit shabby walking in with just graffiti all over, whereas now it's a much better look for the Lido."

"The graffiti was rarely taken down because it would just get drawn back up straight away and now all the artists have a lot more respect for the mural and so there's no graffiti left," he added.

The artwork covers an area measuring about 120 square metres (1,290 sq ft).

Tom Jackson/BBC A close up of Zach Walsh Wall, who has curling brown hair over his forehead and short at the back. He is wearing a bright red fleece over a grey hoody. Behind him is fence painted with a bright green and blue scene of a river running through countryside. Above it is a sign saying Jesus Green Lido. — Zach Walsh Wall said the pool attracted hardcore swimmers all year round - undeterred by the very cold water

The idea for the mural came from the pool's assistant manager Annabel Wright, who said: "We thought 'why not turn it into a space for art that everyone can enjoy?'."

She approached London-based Mr Mishra, who began his artistic training at the city's Anglia Ruskin University campus, with the backing of Cambridge City Council.

GLL Anugrah Mishra and Annabel Wright, both smiling broadly, standing against a fence which has been painted with a blue and green mural showing an undulating bright blue river with trees and fields above and grass below. It says Jesus Green Lido in capital letters above. Anugrah Mishra is on the left, has a close cropped dark beard and is wearing a black beanie hat and grey jumper and his hands are in his pockets. Annabel Wright is on the right and has long dark brown hair over a black fleece and is wearing glasses. — Artist Anugrah Mishra said he used flowing figures, water symbolism, and historical references to create the mural (above left with Annabel Wright)

Antoinette Nestor, the council's cabinet member for culture, economy and skills, said: "Anugrah's mural has really given a massive lift to this stretch of the river, which is enjoyed by so many walkers, cyclists and boaters every day.

"It was great that we were able to use Section 106 funding from developers for public art to make this project come to life in a truly collaborative way – as part of a wider art programme involving local young people, called Urban Voices."

Work on the mural began on 1 September and was completed in late November.