Swim to reach the end...
The great actor Robert Benchley once said that “the only cure for a real hangover is death”. I’m not disagreeing with him, as nothing can really cure a proper head-splitter, but after years of extensive research I can reliably tell you that a good swim will take the edge off even the worse post-booze grogginess. I don’t know why exactly, but it works more often than a fry-up or hair of the dog and keeps the grim reaper out of the equation – which can only be a good thing, right?
The good news is that unlike the rest of the country, London has plenty of beautiful, unusual and relaxing spots that you can take a dip in, and even better, quite a lot of them are in the great outdoors. Here are some of our favourites:
London Fields Lido
Northwest corner of London Fields
Adults £4.16
Nestled away in the northwest corner of London Fields, this quaint, Olympic-sized, heated swimming pool has survived a dogged 18-year battle for survival with the council to become the last lido in East London. One of the brightest gems in all of Hackney, the lido has a lot going for it. It’s picturesque, not that over-looked and big enough for some real sessions. In fact the only downsides are the fact that it is so popular it’s almost impossible to swim there on a sunny day. It’s also full of skinny Hackney kids, making it not such a fun experience for the body-conscious.
Finchley Lido and Leisure Centre
Great North Leisure Park
Adults: £5.50
Built in the 1930s and extensively refurbished in the '90s, the Finchley Lido sits at the heart of a massive leisure complex that boasts a Pizza Hut, cinema and bowling alley. Great if you’re looking for a day of old-fashioned fun, but not so good if you don’t enjoy the company of annoying kids. It does have a wave machine though, so that’s something. The outdoor lido still forms the core of the site, and although it’s much smaller than the original, the designers have managed to keep the cool looking grass terrace, making it awesome for a bit of sunbathing.
Hampstead Heath Pools
Hampstead Heath
Adults: £2
Not really a swimming pool, more of a pond, Hampstead Heath offers the most authentic outdoor swimming experience you’ll find in London, even if you have to deal with sludgy bottoms and some very angry looking ducks. Whilst the Men’s and Ladies’ segregated ponds offer a tranquil environment for hardcore swimming, it’s the mixed pond where all the wet and wild stuff usually takes place. There’s also a lido for pussies.
Brockwell Lido
Brockwell Park
Adult: Depending on times, between £2.70 and £5.
A nice little pool that has been really taken to heart by the local community, this 1937 vintage bath went through a fairly brutal battle with the local authorities to stay open, nut now boasts a gym and an Evian logo for its troubles. It's also got a lovely little Art Deco cafe that turns into a charming restaurant/bar in the evenings. Expect well-priced and innovative cooking, with a focus on the seasonal and local. 
Hampton Pool
High Street Hampton
Adult:Summer, between £5.60 and £6.50
A 36-metre pool situated in two acres of ancient woodland, Hampton Pool is not only one of the capital’s more picturesque places to enjoy a dip, it’s also the only one that they bother to heat all year round, meaning you can swim there in the depths of winter without having to be a total psycho. Open 365 days a year with only the odd thunderstorm interupting the service, you can even swim here on Christmas Day if you really want.
The Serpentine
Hyde Park
Adults: £1-£4
One of the most popular lidos in London, The Serpentine has been serving up aquatic fun for the denizens of Hyde Park for over 100 years. With a Central London location, a kid’s pool and plenty of room for sunbathing, it’s still one of the best places to take an al-fresco dip without having to sit on an overland train for 40 odd minutes. It does get gnarly busy though, so head down there early.
Tooting Bec Lido
Tooting Bec Common
Adult:£5.50
The alternating bright red, yellow, and green doors of the changing cubicles seen above the turquoise water make Tooting Bec Lido a popular location for advertisement "shoots" and Guy Ritchie movies. One of the oldest outdoor swimming pools in the UK and the largest lido in London, it is owned and used by the South London Swimming Club, meaning that it’s closed most of the winter and opens at funny times when the public can visit. It ain’t cheap, but like Marks and Spencer ready-meals, Yorkshire tea and deli-counter cheese, some things are just worth it.
Photos by David Sim, Grevious Angel, Peter Smith, Luke Robinson, Adrian Miller and Martin Deutsch.
Add an event
Review: The Company You Keep
Robert Redford, an iconic face of Western cinema whose influence for decades has weighe...