The glorious
Brockwell Lido, in Brockwell Park near Herne Hill and Brixton, first opened in 1937.
It's seen many changes since then, and was even closed for a period of time.
In the last few years in particular, it's undergone massive redevelopment costing more than £3m, bringing it bang up to date and making it the perfect place for a swim, a coffee or a spot of exercise.
When the sun's shining, why swim indoors with the horrible smell of chlorine shooting up your nostrils? Far better to be out in the open air. And Brockwell Lido is
one of the few outdoor pools left in the capital - all the more reason to make the most of it.
The pool, nicknamed Brixton Beach, is a good size with a length of 50 metres, so there's plenty of space to splash about, even on a busy day.
A stylish part of the lido is its building – an art deco structure that now houses a superb cafe, as well as a range of fitness facilities.
Bright and modern,
the Lido Cafe has indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor seating is on a paved area with a great view of the pool.
The Lido Cafe offers breakfast, brunch, lunch and tea. From Tuesday to Saturday, dinner is also offered.
To start the day, how about their boiled free range egg and soldiers for £2.90, or the Stornaway black pudding and roast tomatoes on toast for £5.85?
After a good swim, you might want to try their halloumi burger with tomato relish for £8.75. Or perhaps the salmon fishcakes with tartar sauce and salad (£7.25) will hit the spot.
For dinner, the rabbit, leek and bacon pie with potatoes (£12.75) sounds pretty darn good. Vegetarian options are also available.
If you can't resist stuffing yourself with a big pudding or two in the Lido Cafe, you might feel the need to go and work it off – in which case, you're in the right place.
Brockwell Lido offers
dance classes,
Pilates sessions,
spinning workouts,
yoga classes,
Zumba sessions, and a
start-of-the-art gym with weights and other fitness equipment.
They even have a clean modern
sauna and steam room, and also a relaxing
hydrotherapy pool.
You could easily spend a few hours at Brockwell Lido, taking a leisurely swim, enjoying a hearty meal and giving your mind and body a decent workout.