Tommy’s Blogg

Lidos in London

London’s open-air lidos are the best way to shake off the discomfort of a hot and sweaty day in the office. Many are open till 8 or 9 at night, so get your bathers on. Here’s our pick:

Brockwell Park: One of the capital’s best known lidos, this is affectionately known by locals as Brixton’s beach.

Brockwell Park Gardens, SE24, open 6.30am-8pm, 020 7274 3088

Tooting Bec: The biggest open-air swimming pool in Britain has a 90-metre pool and ­children’s paddling area.

Tooting Bec Road, SW16, open 6am-8pm, 020 8871 7198

Richmond Park: This Grade-II listed venue has indoor and outside pools, as well as ­picturesque lawns.

Open 6.30am-10pm, 020 8940 0561

Hornsey Park Road: Enjoy the grassy banks, a fountain and on-site cafe at this all-year lido.

145 Park Road, N8, weekdays 7am-8pm, weekends 7.15am-7pm, 020 8341 3567

Hampstead Heath: The Heath may have loads of mossy ponds not fit for swimming, but it does boast the incredibly popular ­Parliament Hill Lido, which has undergone an extensive facelift.

Gordon House Road, NW5, 7am-9am and 10am-6pm, 020 7485 5757

Serpentine: Attached to the lake is the lido, perfect for a dip and some people-watching.

Hyde Park, W2, open 10am-6pm, 020 7706 3422

Evening picnics in London

More secret picnic spots:

Here’s our top three spots for post-work romancing and socialising (see our top 10 picnic spots):

Cannizaro Parks: A Wimbledon hotspot with Grade II-listed lawns for lounging, plus a cosy wood and chic gardens.

West Side Common, SW19

Holland Park: Enjoy a swish Japanese ­garden with waterfalls and open-air opera performances come sundown.

Ilchester Place, W8

Greenwich Park: Wide open, expansive hills make this a hotspot for catching the last of the day’s rays. Plenty of nooks for more private dining, too.

Greenwich Park, SE10

Open-air entertainment in London

f your idea of a summer’s night out extends beyond the local beer garden, there are plenty of events on where you can make the most of the weather.

BP Summer Big Screens: Giant screens at Trafalgar Square and Canary Wharf will beam live ­performances of the Royal Opera House’s La Traviata (tonight, 7pm) and The Barber of Seville (15 July, 7.30pm).

The Scoop at More London: If you’re anywhere near the South Bank for the whole of July, check out the events at The Scoop, an outdoor amphitheatre next to City Hall. Free events ­include live music from keyboardist MT Hedz and vocalist Sally Night (both ­tomorrow), underground funk group Protect The Beat (Thu) and soul wizards The AllStar Collective (Fri).

Lunchtime shows 12.30pm, evening shows 6.30pm

Travel in a London heatwave

Here are Transport for London’s tips for keeping cool on the Tube:

• Carry water with you at all times.

• Don’t board a train if you feel unwell.

• If ill, get off at the next stop and seek help from staff.

• Avoid pulling the passenger alarm between stations.

Pulling off a trolley dash BBQ

Hit your local supermarket to buy one of those instant ­barbies in a tin-foil container and then stock up with your choice of sausages, burgers, chicken and buns. With that on board, you have a recipe for the ­perfect evening on the balcony or in the garden.

Source: Thelondonpaper