London Lidos: Where to live nearby
With summer fast approaching many are planning days out enjoying the warmer weather; London has many open green spaces ideal for picnics, playing and walks in the sunshine, London also has several lidos and outdoor pools; for many London Lidos are a perfect place to spend a summer’s day.
Some of London’s lidos are not very well known, tucked away in residential areas or behind unassuming dated exteriors – here are some of the places you’ll find outdoor pools in London and where to live nearby.
Hampstead, NW3
Hampstead boasts two London Lidos; Hampstead Heath Ponds and Parliament Hill Lido. There are several bathing ponds in Hampstead Heath; Highgate Men’s Bathing Pond, Kenwood Ladies’ Bathing Pond and a Mixed Bathing Pond. If you wish to use a pond regularly you can apply for season or annual passes. The men’s and ladies’ ponds are the UK’s only year round lifeguarded open water swimming facilities. The Parliament Hill Lido is a large unheated pool at the most southern tip of Hampstead Heath.
Many are attracted to moving to Hampstead and the areas surrounding Hampstead Heath for the access to the vast green space, the swimming facilities are an added bonus. Properties close to the heath are very sought after, some of Hampstead’s most prestigious property is located on roads such as Cannon Lane and Downshire Hill.
On the other side of Hampstead Heath the men’s and ladies’ ponds are in fact nearest to Highgate where properties such as those on Millfield Lane are only a few steps from the Heath.
Richmond, TW9
Located in Richmond Old Deer Park, Pools in the Park is more than just another London lido, the leisure facility also has an indoor pool, gym and offers a range of fitness classes. Old Deer Park is on the Kew side of Richmond, not far from the high street and Richmond Station.
Property surrounding Richmond Green is particularly sought after, the charming period properties surrounding the green enjoy views over the green space whilst only being moments from the many amenities found on the high street and Richmond station which offers mainline, underground and London Overground services.
Knightsbridge, SW7
The Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park is perhaps one of the best known places to enjoy open water swimming, The Serpentine Swimming Club is one of the oldest in Britain. There is also a designated paddling area for children.
A pocket of Knightsbridge closest to Hyde Park, and The Serpentine, sits within the SW7 postcode area. Residents living in this area are in a position to readily enjoy both Hyde Park and the Brompton Road within moments of leaving their front door.
This particular area is home to some of London’s most exclusive addresses with many garden squares such as Trevor Square, Ennismore Gardens, Princes Gardens and Montpelier Square.
London Fields, E8
In East London the London Fields Lido is now a cherished local facility; a long campaign saved it from demolition in 2006 and it was fully refurbished in 2017. The London Fields Lido is a 50m Olympic size swimming pool with lane swimming running all day, swim classes and swim-fit sessions taking place at certain times.
Near to London Fields train station to the east of the vast green space are exclusive modern apartment blocks such as Warehaus and The Gransden, with the former featuring its own roof top pool. Family houses can be found on the roads near the park and lido, including Gayhurst Road and Mapledene Road. There are also many desirable properties towards nearby Victoria Park within the Victoria Park Village area.
Herne Hill, SE24
Brockwell Lido is located in Brockwell Park and is enjoyed by local residents, mainly those living in Herne Hill and Brixton. Built in 1937 this London lido is a popular local leisure facility, as well as the outdoor pool there is a gym at the centre and many different exercise classes available.
Some of the most desirable properties in the area are within very close proximity of the lido, with homes in the Poet’s Corner area of Herne Hill being very sought after. Period family homes can be found on roads such as Shakespeare Road, Milton Road and Spenser Road within Herne Hill’s Poet’s Corner. Herne Hill station offers direct services to London Victoria, the area surrounding the station has a very village feel with independent shops, cafes and restaurants.
Just north of the Poet’s Corner area, where the borders cross into Brixton are further quiet residential roads such as Rattray Road and Dalberg Road. Still within easy walking distance of Herne Hill station and Brockwell Lido whilst also being within a short distance of Brixton station for both mainline and underground services.
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