A New Zealander living in London visited Brockwell Lido, one of the city's worst-rated swimming pools, and found the changing rooms disgustingly filthy but the pool itself stunning. Despite a 2.9 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor, the experience was surprisingly delightful.
Heatwave desperation leads to Brockwell Lido
Britain has been gripped by a heatwave this week, with temperatures exceeding 35C. Vita Molyneux, a travel reporter for What's On, originally from New Zealand, woke up on Monday morning realising she desperately needed to cool off. Living just a 25-minute cycle from Brockwell Park, she decided to try Brockwell Lido for the first time after two years in the area.
Unknown to her, the current operator, Fusion Lifestyle, entered administration on April 1, with Active Lambeth scheduled to take over from July 1. This left the booking system completely defunct. Unable to secure a slot online, she discovered alarming reviews on TripAdvisor describing the lido as "absolutely grim," with fly-infested changing facilities, filthy tiles, and malfunctioning amenities.
Walk-in success but changing room horror
Deciding to take her chances, she cycled to the pool and was delighted to learn that walk-ins were available. It cost £9.50. The receptionist directed her to the changing rooms, where she was hit by a pungent sewage odour. The waterlogged tiled floors were thick with grime and hair. The cramped, dingy, and stifling room forced her to hold her breath and keep her shoes on while changing.
Despite the grim facilities, stepping out poolside was a revelation. The pool is vast, with multiple lanes for serious swimmers and a generous open swimming area. Having not swum for nearly a year, she spent about two hours floating in the cool, crystalline water, watching aircraft drift across a brilliant blue sky.
Surprisingly delightful overall
Despite the damning reviews, the lido proved to be a surprisingly delightful experience. The changing rooms are undeniably disappointing, but the pool itself was immaculate and gorgeous. If you don't mind a touch of seediness and are near enough to visit in person to secure a booking, it's definitely worth the journey.
