Saturday, March 19, 2011

Brockwell Lido, London

Brockwell Lido, LondonDuring the Art Deco period, exercise and outdoor activity was very much in vogue. The rich and famous had sundecks and roof terraces but lesser mortals had to make do with the beach, public parks and swimming baths or lidos as they were often known in Britain.

In 1937, London County Council upgraded the public bathing facilities at Brockwell Park with the construction of Brockwell Lido replacing an older swimming pond elsewhere in the park.

Brockwell Lido, LondonThe buildings were designed in Art Deco style and are now protected with a Grade II listing.

Unfortunately a very similar lido in Victoria Park, Hackney which opened a year earlier, closed in the 1980s and has been demolished.

References:
Brockwell Lido website
LIDOS IN LONDON no longer open: Victoria Park Lido, Hackney
News in a Nutshell - London's New Lido Opened at Victoria Park, British Pathé, 21 May 1936
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6 comments:

  1. HelsMarch 19, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    Your reference of Lidos in London no longer open is both informative and tragic. Is has been difficult till now to find that information, lido by lido. Thanks for the link
    Hels
    http://melbourneblogger.blogspot.com/2009/11/late-victorian-pleasure-piers-vs-inter.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. David ThompsonMarch 19, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    Yes it is nice to see them documented and I agree sad. Imagine how much better London would be with just half these lidos still open.

    Jane Smith's book, Liquid Assets mentioned on the site looks very interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bruce Partington-PlansMarch 20, 2011 at 4:08 AM

    Great post; really glad I found this site!

    Some positive news regarding another lido, Saltdean, has just been announced:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-12792397

    ReplyDelete
  4. hendraMarch 20, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    Nice article, keep forward to your ideas as well, buddy , , , ,


    thanks.
    http://architect.baligede.com
    http://baligedearchitecture.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. David ThompsonMarch 20, 2011 at 2:12 PM

    Thanks Bruce, I was reading the good news about Saltdean being raised from Grade II to Grade II* just before I saw your comment.

    ReplyDelete
  6. David ThompsonMarch 20, 2011 at 2:12 PM

    Thanks for your comment Bali gede

    ReplyDelete