As London braces for temperatures soaring to 40°C this week, a lesser-known lido in Crouch End still has tickets available for swimmers seeking relief. Park Road Lido, built in 1926, offers an affordable escape with adult admission at £9.95, according to a report by Metro's Eleanor Noyce.
Availability and Pricing
While popular slots between 4.30pm and 5.30pm are sold out from Monday through Thursday, a 60-minute swim on Friday at the same time still has space. Numerous slots are open daily from 7am to 4.30pm, and the weekend schedule is completely clear as temperatures are forecast to reach 27°C on Saturday and 26°C on Sunday. The pool is divided into lanes for speedy, medium, and slow swimmers, with an open area for general swimming. Lanes are restricted to ages 12 and above, but family slots are available for parents with children.
Visitor Reviews
Park Road Lido has garnered praise from locals. In a Google review, Chrissy Kelly called it a 'wonderful lido in the heart of Crouch End,' while Cinzia Ferrari said she comes 'here to swim almost everyday.' Carolyn Stephens added: 'This lido is a piece of heaven and keeps me sane.' Another user, R, described the pool as 'lovely and clean and spacious...so nice to be outside in a spacious pool in the city.'
Some complaints have been noted regarding amenities like toilet paper and a smelly gym, but reviewers remind that it is a council-run leisure centre, not a premium facility.
Alternative Outdoor Pools
Sea Lanes Canary Wharf, London's first floating swimming spot, opened last week. It features a 50-metre pool suspended in the River Thames with six lanes, natural water, and poolside food and drink. Lane swimming costs £10 per hour, with concessions at £8. Meanwhile, Brighton's historic Brightlingsea Lido reopened last month, offering tidal saltwater swimming for £7.50 for adults and £5.50 for children over two, with under-twos free. Inflatables and sunbeds are available for hire.
Brockwell Lido in South London was ranked 19th globally in a study of top cold water dip destinations based on positive reviews.
The Met Office has warned that the record for June's hottest temperature of 35.6°C, recorded in Camden Square in 1957 and Southampton in 1976, could be broken this week.
