Brockwell Lido facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brockwell Lido |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 51°27′11″N 0°06′23″W / 51.453056°N 0.106389°W | |
| Address | Brockwell Park, Herne Hill, Lambeth |
| Postcode | SE24 0PA |
| Opened | 1937 |
| Operated by | Fusion Lifestyle Ltd |
| Architect | Rowbotham & Smithson |
| Type | open air |
| Status | Grade II Listed |
| Length | 164 feet (50 m) |
| Website | www.brockwell-lido.com |
| Facilities | |
| Gym, hydrotherapy pool, cafe | |
.jpg)
The Brockwell Lido is a large outdoor swimming pool. You can find it in Brockwell Park, Herne Hill, London. It first opened its doors in July 1937. The lido closed in 1990. But after a big effort from local people, it reopened in 1994. Two former council workers, Paddy and Casey, helped run the lido for the community. They paid a very low rent to the council from 1994 to 2001. The council then extended their agreement for one year. This was while they asked the public how to keep the lido open for a long time.
What is the History of Brockwell Lido?
Brockwell Lido was designed by Harry Rowbotham and T. L. Smithson. They used a cool style called Moderne. It was built for the Parks Department of the London County Council. The lido replaced an older bathing pond in Brockwell Park. It looks almost exactly like the Victoria Park Lido in Hackney. The lido welcomed its first swimmers in July 1937.
The lido closed in 1990. This was because the Lambeth Borough Council needed to save money. But a group called Brockwell Lido Users (BLU) started in 2001. They worked hard to get the lido reopened. The council looked for new managers. Two former council employees won the chance to run it. They reopened the lido in 1994.
A film called The Lido was made there in 1995. It was filmed by Lucy Blakstad.
The lido is a special building. It has been a Grade II listed building since July 2003. This means it is protected for its history and design.
What Can You Find at Brockwell Lido?
In 2001, the Evian water company logo was painted on the pool floor. This was part of a sponsorship deal. It brought in £110,000 for the lido. In 2005, the lido received £500,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This money was part of a bigger £2.5 million plan to improve the lido.
The Brockwell Lido Users (BLU) group officially formed in 2001. They were a group of people who wanted to save the lido. Over 1000 local swimmers and lido fans supported them. They showed the Lambeth council how much the community loved their lido. The council then held public meetings. They wanted to find the best way to save the lido for the future. A special group was created to guide the lido's future. Three of its six members came from the BLU group.
In 2003, Fusion Lifestyle won a competition to manage the lido. They planned to fix up Brockwell Lido. They also wanted to create a place for fun all year round. A new gym, spa, and fitness studios were built. The improved Brockwell Lido reopened in October 2007.
In 2012, a winter swimming group called 'Brockwell Icicles' started again. They wanted to swim all year. Fusion, the lido's operator, agreed. The BLU group, with help from another group, finally got 7-day swimming in 2014. Now, Brockwell Lido is open every day of the year. This is great for people who like swimming in cold water. You don't need to be a member. New cold water swimmers can just show up and pay.
In April 2016, Fusion added a sauna next to the pool. Later that year, Fusion agreed to open the whole pool every day from November 1, 2016. This happened because of a big effort by the BLU group. They worked for all the lido users.
The Brockwell Swimmers club started on January 27, 2016. Volunteers run this club. It is a non-profit club for members only. The Brockwell Swimmers club also plays Water Polo at the lido for a few weeks in the summer.
The Lido Café is a restaurant right next to the pool. You can look out at the swimmers while you eat.
What Events Happen at Brockwell Lido?
On July 25, 2019, it was a very hot day in the UK. About 500 people tried to get into Brockwell Lido. The police were called because so many people wanted to swim.
- Brockwell Swimmers club
