UK’s biggest freshwater lido to reopen this week as temperatures to hit 26C
THE BIGGEST outdoor swimming pool in the UK is reopening this week for the season.
Tooting Bec Lido, which first opened in 1906, is one of the most popular freshwater lidos in London.
Measuring twice the length of an Olympic pool, it can welcome up to 1,400 swimmers at once.
And despite being unheated, you can expect it to be busy when it reopens on May 1, with temperatures expecting to hit 26C.
Anyone wanting to visit will have to register for a free membership and, while tickets are sometimes available on arrival, it is recommended to book ahead – especially on hot days.
From May to August, it will be open from 6am to 8pm, with two swimming sessions a day. In September it closes earlier at 5pm.
The lido underwent a £40million upgrade last year, which will “safeguard it for the next 50 years” and includes new water systems and filtration systems to keep the pool cleaner.
The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey raved about the lido, saying: “When I used to live in South London, this was the best place to spend the mornings.
“Not only was it the best brisk wake up, but there was a form of comradery amongst other swimmers, all supporting each other when the cold got a bit too much.
“In the summer, it has the best vibes, especially after ending with a coffee to relax on Tooting Common to warm up.”
Hillsea Lido is also reopening this week, after a £7million makeover.
Here’s some of our other recommendations of free things to do in London.