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A south London lido is the best outdoor pool in the UK, according to a new study.
The AA motoring association has announced its annual “Lido League”, analysing the UK’s best outdoor pools and lidos from a list of 160 locations.
Pools were scored using criteria such as Google search popularity, review scores, social media engagement, entry and parking costs, local sunshine and temperature data for July.
Based on these factors, Brockwell Lido in south London came out on top as the best place for a splash in the water this summer.
The AA said the lido, found in Herne Hill’s Brockwell Park, stood out for its strong reviews, social media presence and year-round appeal.
Since opening in 1937, the Art Deco grade II-listed lido has been popular among the local community, home to a 50m outdoor swimming pool and health and fitness facilities inside the pool building.
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South London chain Four Hundred Rabbits restaurant has also snagged a place poolside, serving sourdough pizza and craft beers.
The pool faced criticism last year due to rubbish bags building up next to the pool when it was operated by a third-party company, but the pool has recently come back under council ownership, with refurbishments taking place on the indoor gym.
In second place on the AA’s list is Leicester’s Stoney Cove 13-acre open water swimming lake, which gained points for its diving facilities, watersports and a strong safety support, including rescue boats and first aiders.
Stoney Cove is not recommended for families with children under 12 looking for a place to paddle, but the open water is ideal for adventurous swimmers and divers.
Two more London lidos came in at third and fourth place, in Tooting Bec and London Fields, respectively.
The 91-metre-long lido at Tooting Bec is the UK’s largest manmade freshwater pool, as well as one of the oldest in the country. The pool is loved by both competitive swimmers and those seeking a leisurely dip in the sun.
Meanwhile, London Fields Lido has a 50m pool which is heated year-round and provides a variety of sessions such as lane, female-only and family swims as well as lessons.
Fifth place went to Clevedon Marine Lake in Somerset, which earned its spot for its peaceful atmosphere, natural estuary surroundings and high maintenance standards.
The lake is open to swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking and model boating, and does not have any official opening times, meaning it's accessible at all times of the day.
The top 20 lidos and outdoor swimming pools in the UK
- Brockwell Lido, London
- Stoney Cove, Leicestershire
- Tooting Bec Lido, London
- London Fields Lido, London
- Clevedon Marine Lake, Somerset
- Bude Sea Pool, Cornwall
- Sale Water Park, Greater Manchester
- Dancing Ledge, Dorset
- Greenland Dock, London
- Tollesbury Woods Pool, Essex
- Hapton Pool, Greater London
- Havre des Pas Bathing Pool, Jersey
- Cheltenham Lido, Gloucestershire
- Hampstead Mixed Pond, London
- Viking Bay Tidal Pool, Kent
- Guildford Lido, Surrey
- Jubilee Pool, Cornwall
- La Vallette Bathing Pools, Guernsey
- Saltdean Lido, East Sussex
- Lido Ponty, Wales
Read more: Where can I swim in London? The best pools, from lidos to hotel rooftops