Mark and his friends got up early one sunny Sunday for a relaxed day London lido-ing. Starting at Tooting Bec's mammoth 90m lido, and finishing at Hampstead Heath's bathing ponds, they covered around 25 - 30km in pursuit of urban outdoor swimming. Here's how they found it
Tooting Bec
Mark recommends starting the day with 'a very good bacon sandwich' at the Tooting Bec Lido.
From there, hop back on your bike and cycle through the quiet streets of West Norwood to Brockwell Park.
Brockwell Park
If you're hungry again at Brockwell Park, or passed on the bacon sarnie at Tooting Bec, make a pit-stop at The Blackbird Bakery. There are several between Tooting Bec and Brockwell Park, but perhaps the easiest to stop at is the one next to Herne Hill station. Delicious coffee and pastries await!
London Fields
The best thing about the London Fields lido is that it is heated year round! Granted, it's not a jacuzzi in the middle of December, but you probably won't freeze. Ben, Caroline, Mark, Rosie and Steve jumped in the water for the third time here.
Hampstead Bathing Ponds
The most natural of bathing spots on this amphibious adventure was Hampstead Heath's mixed bathing ponds. Hampstead Heath is home to three ponds: men's, ladies' and mixed. Open year round but chilly - even in the summer!
Dry off and finish the day with a well-earned craft pint at Highgate's The Duke's Head pub.
While decidedly warmer in the summer, this tour can also be a great one in the winter. Only the Tooting Bec lido closes for the colder months: the others are open for refreshing dips all year round. So, what are you waiting for?
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