scott_forester
probably talking shite
new addington
I remember when that had diving boards.
Recommend me a South London swimming pool
- Thread starter RubyToogood
- Start date
I remember when that had diving boards.
Tricky Skills
Well-Known Member
A quick plug for the Winter Swimming Championships down at Tooting this weekend. Come on in - the water's... 
Tricky Skills
Well-Known Member
And HERE are some pictures from what was a wonderful, if a little surreal weekend down at Tooting.
A cold water wedding? Mmmm - that was weird...
I cannot wait until lido season again!
RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
I tried West Wickham yesterday and it was really quite nice. Attractive pool, well kept, quite peaceful, a reasonable length and not overheated. It was all very Bromley.
London_Calling
Pleasant and unpatronising
Good. Told ya 
snowy_again
Slush
It is very bromley, but at least its not beckenham. Are the boards still up or have they gone forever?
RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
<drums fingers impatiently> Lido season is approaching... Tooting reopens on May 26th. Any news on Brockwell?
Dunno what you mean... if you mean diving boards at West Wickham there seems to be one which is brought out for kids sessions and then put away.
snowy_again said:
Dunno what you mean... if you mean diving boards at West Wickham there seems to be one which is brought out for kids sessions and then put away.
lang rabbie
Je ne regrette les gazebos
Someone must have been asking the same question, because the BLU website has just been updated.
Lido news at 27 April 2008:
I don't think there will be swimming at The Modern Movement event next weekend, unless you volunteer to dress up in 1930s swimming cossie and act as mannequin!
Tricky Skills
Well-Known Member
I popped into Brockwell yesterday whilst passing through. They were optimistic for an 'end of May' opening. The BLU site seems to confirm this
The water looks a little ropey though. It's more like a garden pond covered in weed. I assume this will be emptied, the pool will be cleaned and then pumped full again? I can't see this being an overnight job.
I ended up at London Fields Lido yesterday, which was simply LOVELY.
Not long to go now!
The water looks a little ropey though. It's more like a garden pond covered in weed. I assume this will be emptied, the pool will be cleaned and then pumped full again? I can't see this being an overnight job.
I ended up at London Fields Lido yesterday, which was simply LOVELY.
Not long to go now!
lang rabbie
Je ne regrette les gazebos
Tooting Bec Lido this lunchtime was gorgeous in the sunshine. Well worth the £100 for South London Swimming Club membership for those on the wrong side of Brixton Hill for Brockwell Lido.
[This was my first swim of the year in just speedos and a single swimming cap, which is pathetic
I normally aim to start sans wetsuit from 1 April but it's been wetsuit and two caps even for some SLSC stalwarts during the dreary weather of the last couple of weeks]
[This was my first swim of the year in just speedos and a single swimming cap, which is pathetic
I normally aim to start sans wetsuit from 1 April but it's been wetsuit and two caps even for some SLSC stalwarts during the dreary weather of the last couple of weeks]
RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
So your £100 gets you year-round swimming, all-inclusive?
lang rabbie
Je ne regrette les gazebos
Just checked my cheque stub - it was actually £110 all told (£20 membership + £100 annual lido pass less £10 for prompt payment before 1 April)
http://www.slsc.org.uk/membership.html
extra dry
Happy to be here
I love swimming but it you and I are in a tricky situation right now - the Rec situation is disgraceful.
Get in contact with the new mayor Borris. One of his goals is to improve the availablity of rec facilities for londoners...so get a few letters or emails and keep up the pressure.
Get in contact with the new mayor Borris. One of his goals is to improve the availablity of rec facilities for londoners...so get a few letters or emails and keep up the pressure.
Tricky Skills
Well-Known Member
I agree about the Rec situation being a disgrace, but I can't see what can be achieved now. The £2.3m re-furbishment is now complete, albeit nine months behind schedule. The money has been spent and that's it until the next great masterplan to deliver 'Yoof Zones' and the like.
Some areas are an improvement such as the astro turf pitch down below. But the basics that are the bread and butter of the Rec have seen no improvement.
The changing rooms are a disgrace, the main hall is still as dirty as ever and the reception staff thrive on rudeness.
Some areas are an improvement such as the astro turf pitch down below. But the basics that are the bread and butter of the Rec have seen no improvement.
The changing rooms are a disgrace, the main hall is still as dirty as ever and the reception staff thrive on rudeness.
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
I went to Streatham pool this morning... I was impressed.. it's lovely, in a very old-school swimming pool way - not dissimilar to the feel of Clapham pool. Nothing flash, but very functional. There was a big queue outside at 7am and everyone seemed to know everyone else.
I'm so pissed off at what's been happening at the Rec..
I'm so pissed off at what's been happening at the Rec..
RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
I went to London Fields, thanks to Tricky Skills's tip! Determined to get an outdoor swim in in this weather...
It was good but too busy and ridiculously far really. I was a bit mystified by where all those young, fit, non-working people had come from.
It was good but too busy and ridiculously far really. I was a bit mystified by where all those young, fit, non-working people had come from.
Tricky Skills
Well-Known Member
Aha! Pleased that you tried London Fields Ruby.
It is quite a trek, but I like to combine it with a bike ride. It takes me about 35 - 40 minutes at a leisurely pace from The Oval, London Bridge, Liverpool Street and Hackney.
Although I have a preference for (i) Brockwell and (ii) Tooting, London Fields is a welcome addition to the London lido scene. I think the mix of old and new works well. Not too sure about the heated water though
I'll probably fit another couple of trips in before the magical date of the 21st at Brockwell.
With you on the hip young things during the day. I'm not hip, and certainly not young. 'Freelancers' (yeah, right) maybe? It seems a pretty cool area though, which is really saying somethhing, coming from a confirmed South Londoner.
It is quite a trek, but I like to combine it with a bike ride. It takes me about 35 - 40 minutes at a leisurely pace from The Oval, London Bridge, Liverpool Street and Hackney.
Although I have a preference for (i) Brockwell and (ii) Tooting, London Fields is a welcome addition to the London lido scene. I think the mix of old and new works well. Not too sure about the heated water though
I'll probably fit another couple of trips in before the magical date of the 21st at Brockwell.
With you on the hip young things during the day. I'm not hip, and certainly not young. 'Freelancers' (yeah, right) maybe? It seems a pretty cool area though, which is really saying somethhing, coming from a confirmed South Londoner.
lang rabbie
Je ne regrette les gazebos
The beautiful people at London Fields are mostly Trustafarians rather than Bohemians, I fear.
It's over five years since I've bought a picture from an artist still able to afford studio space on that side of Hackney.
RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
I have to admit I enjoyed the heatedness at this time of year. There was still a slight chill as you got in, but there was none of that having to have cups of tea and wrap yourself up and still being cold two hours later.
I'm glad it's not my local pool though. I felt distinctly unbeautiful, and that would put me off going much.
I'm glad it's not my local pool though. I felt distinctly unbeautiful, and that would put me off going much.
RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
It's that time of year again. Crystal Palace pool is slated to be open again in December (will believe it when I see it) so I'm traipsing round South London looking for an aquatic home...
Tried Streatham Leisure Centre last week and thought it was really quite grim (except for the fishy skylights which are cool), plus it means going to Streatham.
So took myself off to South Norwood for the first time this evening. Definite
! It's a lot like West Wickham in being clean, bright and modern, with a nice atmosphere and family friendly (but I think less prudish than West Wickham - no taking your cossy off in the shower at WW!). The changing rooms are ample and you can go communal or cubicle, ditto the showers, which you have to go through to get to the pool, meaning more people shower before getting in. It apparently has an ultraviolet pool cleaning system. Although it's only a 25m pool it feels fairly spacious because it's in one big room with the little kids' pool. There are bike racks in view of reception, and a car park round the back. A swim is £3.30 at any time. I felt a lot of thought had gone into getting things right, much more so than at the Lido (both are run by Fusion).
Tried Streatham Leisure Centre last week and thought it was really quite grim (except for the fishy skylights which are cool), plus it means going to Streatham.
So took myself off to South Norwood for the first time this evening. Definite
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
Well.. I had a lovely swim at London Fields last weekend, but this week i've been in Streatham early morning. It's ok - but it is so incredibly hot - like getting into a really warm bath... WHY???
South Norwood sounds great but is not en-route sadly.
The other problem i have now - and I know Tricky Skills has commented on is this is that I have membership for Fusion (for the Lido gym) but I want to use Streatham Pool which is run by GLL over winter for swimming - so I will have to get two separate memberships (or else pay daily at £3.30 for Streatham) - even though both are Lambeth pools. VERY annoying. It was brought up at the Lido AGM - but I can't see anything happening about it any time soon.
South Norwood sounds great but is not en-route sadly.
The other problem i have now - and I know Tricky Skills has commented on is this is that I have membership for Fusion (for the Lido gym) but I want to use Streatham Pool which is run by GLL over winter for swimming - so I will have to get two separate memberships (or else pay daily at £3.30 for Streatham) - even though both are Lambeth pools. VERY annoying. It was brought up at the Lido AGM - but I can't see anything happening about it any time soon.
RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
Yes... I thought about getting Fusion membership for South Norwood pool/the Lido, but when CP reopens that'll be GLL... (although that's a bit different as spread over Croydon/Lambeth/Bromley - but that's normal for me as a CP resident).
must get more exercise!!!)
ChrisFilter
Like a boss.
Another thumbs up for South Norwood here. Not just the pool but the centre as a whole. Love it! I sometimes for an early morning swim before work as it's only 5 mins away
is this the one that got refurbed recently? on the road from Norwood Junction to Addiscombe/Croydon?
it's on the bus from me. might have to give it a look see.
eta - yes it is. and the 312 goes right by house. winner. after work swims ahoy.
http://www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/200087/spsc/snpool
it's on the bus from me. might have to give it a look see.
eta - yes it is. and the 312 goes right by house. winner. after work swims ahoy.
http://www.croydon.gov.uk/leisure/200087/spsc/snpool
RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
Well I've just had a look at the GLL website and Crystal Palace is fucked . They've pushed back the reopening date to April 2009 now . Not only that, they're refurbishing the changing rooms for the training pool (which has remained open while the main centre is closed) so that for the next week or two you have to change in cubicles at the poolside and there are no showers.
Although interestingly, part of the reason for the delay is that they're actually lengthening the main pool. It was built as an Olympic pool but after everything went metric it was fractionally too short, so this will rectify that, which is good news as it can be used for international events then I guess. (NB the metric thing is what I have heard, can't guarantee its accuracy, but it was something like that - it just falls short of Olympic size).
http://www.gll.org/centre/crystal-palace-national-sports-centre.asp
So... if I was to join South Norwood, could I use the Lido or vice versa? Because let's face it, CP won't be open in April, it'll be May at least, and then the Lido will be open.
. They've pushed back the reopening date to April 2009 now . Not only that, they're refurbishing the changing rooms for the training pool (which has remained open while the main centre is closed) so that for the next week or two you have to change in cubicles at the poolside and there are no showers.Although interestingly, part of the reason for the delay is that they're actually lengthening the main pool. It was built as an Olympic pool but after everything went metric it was fractionally too short, so this will rectify that, which is good news as it can be used for international events then I guess. (NB the metric thing is what I have heard, can't guarantee its accuracy, but it was something like that - it just falls short of Olympic size).
http://www.gll.org/centre/crystal-palace-national-sports-centre.asp
So... if I was to join South Norwood, could I use the Lido or vice versa? Because let's face it, CP won't be open in April, it'll be May at least, and then the Lido will be open.
i am guessing not as it's different boroughs
there is something on the membership prices for Norwood called 'London Fitness Network' which iirc applies in other LA pools across London
it's quite dear though
http://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/Documents/7167 Fusion Croydon Life_v6.pdf
bit from the Fusion website
http://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/Memberships/ContentL.asp?id=SX146A-A77F4E82&cat=44
http://www.londonfitnessnetwork.org/clublocator.htm
gaijingirl
Well-Known Member
The situation with the Lido so far as been if you join the gym (not the pool only membership) you could use other Fusion centres 9regardless of their borough) and all their pools too - year round - (which is why it would be very convenient for me if Streatham were a Fusion pool - or if one of the other pool containing fusion centres were en-route to my work.) However as Fusion consider the Lido their "flagship" premises, it doesn't work the other way around.
(of course, for me, the very best solution would be to open the Lido pool year round like London Fields with a little bit of head - they could just borrow half of Streatham's - so hot you could practically boil an egg in it - water!)
(of course, for me, the very best solution would be to open the Lido pool year round like London Fields with a little bit of head - they could just borrow half of Streatham's - so hot you could practically boil an egg in it - water!)
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