Brockwell Lido in Herne Hill begins a new chapter with a refurbished gym

For generations of south Londoners, summer means Brockwell Lido. The Grade II listed pool in Brockwell Park, Herne Hill, has been welcoming swimmers since July 1937, and this year it began a new chapter.

From 1 July 2026, the lido returned to Lambeth Council management, run by Active Lambeth, the council's in house health and leisure service. The council is investing more than £250,000 in the site, with much of the money going on the gym.

The gym has been fitted with new Pulse Fitness equipment, a refreshed strength area, a dedicated functional training space and new flooring. The pool received new lane ropes, and group exercise classes continue as normal. Existing members transferred automatically, and they now have access to the Active Lambeth app for bookings and digital entry, along with access to other Lambeth leisure centres.

"Brockwell Lido is a vital community asset," said Councillor Natalie Kane, Lambeth's deputy leader. She described it as "an inclusive, welcoming space that offers more than just exercise", adding: "This is an iconic building that is cherished by the people who use it."

The lido's history is a story of community devotion. It was designed by Harry Rowbotham and T. L. Smithson in the Moderne style for the London County Council's Parks Department, and it is almost identical in design to the Victoria Park Lido in Hackney. The 50 metre pool replaced an earlier bathing pond in the park.

Lido users have long been its champions. The Brockwell Lido Users group formed in 2001, winter swimmers revived the Brockwell Icicles in 2012 to campaign for year round swimming, and the Brockwell Swimmers club was founded by lido users in 2016. A major redevelopment, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, added a gym and fitness studios in 2007.

Today the site also includes a café overlooking the pool, making it a favourite meeting point for swimmers and park visitors alike. It even has a place in popular culture, appearing in a 1995 BBC documentary and an episode of The Bill.

Brockwell Lido is in Brockwell Park, Dulwich Road, SE24 0PA, near Herne Hill station. For swimming sessions, gym membership and classes, visit the Active Lambeth website.