Revised timetable means more time to cool off at Tooting Bec’s much loved lido

Published: Monday, July 11, 2022

With London hit by a heatwave there’s never been a better time to enjoy a cooling dip at Tooting Bec’s popular lido, and the much-loved open-air pool has amended its opening hours to allow swimmers more time to enjoy a refreshing swim this summer.

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From today (Monday) a new timetable is offering extended opening times and more chances to enjoy its cool water.

And while people are being advised to book their swimming sessions, there will be more chances for residents to just turn up and swim assuming the lido’s 1,300 person capacity allows it.

The revised opening hours and swim sessions are as follows:

• 6am - 6.50am - Full length lanes (booked session, but “on the door” entry available if space allows

• 7am -7.50am- Full length lanes (booked session, but “on the door” if capacity allows

• 8am – 8.50am - Full length lanes (booked session, but “on the door” if space allows

• 9am - 9.50am - Full length lanes (booked session, but “on the door” if capacity allows. (NB Sunday session excludes the public as its retained for sole use of South London Swimming Club members).

• 10am – 2.15pm - “An all are welcome” session (pre-booking advised but “on the door” entry available if space permits. The paddling pool is also available during this session.

• 3.30pm to 7.45 – “Just swim” session, with pre-booking advised but “on the door” if capacity allows. For this session the paddling pool will remain open until 6pm, while the main pool will be shared between width lanes and open swimming.

The changes mean an extra session in the morning, plus the afternoon and evening sessions both extended by half an hour.

The lido was built in 1906 and at 90 metres in length is the largest open air freshwater swimming pool in the UK.

For the latest information and to book a swim please visit https://www.placesleisure.org/centres/tooting-bec-lido/.

To find out more about the South London Swimming Club and how to become a member visit https://www.slsc.org.uk/