If the city summer has left you a flushed, sweaty mess, more reminiscent of Stoppit from Stoppit and Tidyup than the bronzed beauties strutting their stuff in TV toiletry adverts, then a trip to the Southwark Lido could be for you.
This temporary swimming pool has been designed by EXYZT, a French architecture collective, with the aim of creating a free-and-easy outdoor space where city slickers can drink, swim, chat and generally sweat off their layers of London grime.
As well as a refreshing water deck, the lido includes a sauna, a children’s paddling pool and art and music performances from a roving bunch of al fresco buskers.
And if the thought of being collared by some well-meaning hippy with a guitar is too terrifying, you can always seek refuge in the beach hut changing rooms, or drown your sorrows at the onsite bar.
Entry is free, but the lido closes for good at 7pm on July 13, so get your bikini on. If you live beyond the M25 you can find a lido in your area by going to http:homepage.ntlworld.comoliver.merringtonlidos
www.lfa2008.org.
