A beloved British institution, lidos are an invaluable liquid asset to health and wellbeing. So lap up the joys of outdoor swimming and take the plunge into one of these magnificent pools ? TOOTING BEC LIDO Wandsworth, London One of the early London lidos, Tooting was so ahead of the curve that the word was not in common use when it opened in 1906. It was known simply as Tooting Bathing Lake.
At nearly 300ft, it’s a stretch from end to end. It was built by the unemployed - an early example of municipal socialism. In her book, Liquid Assets, Janet Smith tells how lifeguard Alfred French - in full suit, shirt, tie and cap - used his rowing boat moored in a corner to save two swimmers in 1907.
placesleisure.org/centres/ tooting-bec-lido BRISTOL LIDO Clifton, Bristol This Grade-II listed lido was built in 1850, but was closed in 1990 for many years. Now gentrified beyond belief, it includes a spa, poolside bar and a high-end restaurant serving food “in the spirit of hedonism rather than health”.
High-quality finishes, clever branding and a natty website complete the picture. lidobristol.com BROCKWELL LIDO Herne Hill, London In 1995 Lucy Blakstad made Brockwell Lido the star of her film for the BBC , telling of the lido’s reopening and renaissance and the importance of this Grade II listed 1937 pool to the community - even showing a marriage held there.
Libby Page’s smash-hit novel The Lido is set there too. It closed from 1990 to 1994 but came back stronger. The deck ge.