FEATURE STORY

Parks Parks

Pools Pools

What’s on offer? Regent’s, Hyde, St James’s… visitors who think London isn’t green are sorely mistaken, and now is the best time to appreciate the city’s miles of parkland. From brass bands to theatre performances, musical festivals to lakes, there’s no shortage of sun-worshipping stuff to get involved in. Soak up some culture at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, one of the city’s most beautiful settings showcasing The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing, The Importance of Being Earnest and Hello, Dolly! this summer. There are also comedy and music gigs, including the sensational Daniel Kitson and urban cowboys Alabama 3.

If you’d like to horse around, Hyde Park is the place to head. You can take out a horse or pony along the trail of Rotten Row and fi ve miles of some of the most scenic city bridleways, taking in such sights as the Serpentine lake. Or why not grab a picnic, a frisbee and a few friends, sit under a shady tree with a book, or go boating on a lake. It’s all here. Where? Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is in Queen Mary’s Garden, a 10-minute walk from Baker Street Tube station. Hyde Park Stables are on Bathurst Mews, a few minutes’ walk from Lancaster Gate Tube station.

Price(s): Open Air Theatre — �10-�50. Horse riding — from �55 per hour.

Contact: www.openairtheatre.org www.hydeparkstables.com

What’s on offer? A little over 50 years ago London had around the same number of open-air swimming pools
— or lidos — right across the city. A large number fell into disrepair, but around 13 survived and there has been a real resurgence in popularity in recent years. Many have been refurbished and offer modern facilities such as spas and Jacuzzis, while plenty of visitors are happy with just a sunlounger, a towel and an outdoor pool. All the city’s lidos have a fun, family atmosphere — when the weather does its bit — and are usually open from June onwards.

Where? The most central lido is probably at the Serpentine in Hyde Park, though this is a natural lake rather than
an artifi cial pool. Further out are Hornsey Park Road and London Fields lidos (near Hackney); there are also ponds at Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath. The most famous of all, though, is probably Brockwell Park’s lido
— dubbed ‘Brixton’s Beach’ — which has particularly good health and fi tness facilities and holistic classes such as yoga, t’ai chi and meditation.

Price(s): Prices vary, but day tickets are usually available from around �4 per person.

Contact: Brockwell Lido. T: 020 7274 3088.
www.brockwell-lido.com. For details of individual lidos,
see local council websites.

Soak up some culture at Regent’s Park Open Air

Theatre, one of the city’s most beautiful settings

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From left: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; the Serpentine in Hyde Park; Bobby McFerrin at the

Meltdown Festival; Taste of London Festival

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26 W2L SUMMER 2009