If, like me, you are having a ’staycation’ this summer but you still want to have a dip in an open air pool when the sun does actually come out then pop along to the London Fields Lido.
This open air pool was originally built in 1931 but closed in 1988. As a resident of London Fields in the late ’90s I remember it lying derelict and the London Fields User Group and other local residents tirelessly campaigning to have it re-opened. Their wish was granted in 2006 and the pool is now hugely popular with families and pro-swimmers alike.
The lido has a heated Olympic size pool with a shallow end for the kids, a sunbathing terrace and a cafe serving felafal wraps and toasted sarnies.
Escape from the heat of the City in only 20 mins on a no 55 from Old Street or a 48 or 26 Bus from Liverpool Street.
Open from 6.30am on weekdays and 8am at weekends, on a hot sunny day I would advise you to get there early as there is a queue to get in by midday.
Adults pay £4.10, under 16’s £2.45 and under 5’s are completely free.
As an added bonus it’s in a great location in the middle of London Fields which also has a couple of good children’s playgrounds if the little ones have any energy left after all of that swimming.