Brockwell Park Lido

Brockwell Park Lido - what's that got to do with THS I hear you ask - well quite a lot! I'm sure that I was not the only pupil to hop over the back gate after lunch to spend the afternoon lazing by the pool instead of the prospect of getting a blackboard duster between the eye's from Mr. Corney the Latin Master!

I received an email from Yvonne Levy who informed me of a recently published book called "Out of the Blue" which documents the history of Brockwell Park Lido from 1837 to 2007. The book is jam packed with photo's, memories, interviews and statistics. It richly deserves the sub-title of "A Celebration of Brockwell Park Lido".

I am halfway through the book and it's been a revelation! I was totally unaware that there had been a swimming facility in Brockwell Park since the 1890's, neither did I know that Lambeth Council closed the Lido in 1993 - how on earth could anyone in their right mind even think about closing such a facility - shame on them !!

However, many brave and entrepreneurial souls campaigned to get get it reopened. This succeeded in 1994 and it has now been restored to it's original splendour with additional state of the art facilities.

Anyone who has ever had a swim in this Lido should read this book and I would thoroughly recommend it.

Brockwell Lido Users, PO Box 27857, London SE24 9YP info@brockwelllido.com

Book Celebrates 70 Years of Famous London Lido

On July 10, 1937, the Mayor of Lambeth threw a schoolgirl into a new pool: Brockwell Park Lido (Herne Hill, London) was born. A new book celebrates its 70 years: through over 70 interviews with local people and archival research, Out of the Blue tells the story of how the Lido came to be built and of the 70 eventful following years. Highlights include:

The Victorian bathing lake that preceded the Lido; The Lido in World War II: galas and bombs; How to become a Brockwell ‘Icicle’; 1990 closure and 1994 rebirth; Architecture of the 1937 building and 2007 renovation;
But most of all, the people who have used and still use it, in their own words…

Illustrated with a range of archival and modern images in black & white and colour.

Not just a history – a celebration!

Book Details

Paperback, 128pp, 190mmx245mm. ISBN 978-0-9556270-0-2. Pub: BLUPress.

Price £6.99

Enquiries: For press or bookseller or general public enquiries, please contact:

books@brockwelllido.com