Tooting Bec Lido Post Reply

[PhillyFitness]

Hi there

Does anybody know of any mums or groups that go to Tooting Lido and can share looking after babies so that you can get the chance to have a proper swim?

If anybody is a member and keen to do more swimming, maybe we could go together in the mornings and swim and share baby watching??

Thanks!!

[vq1234]

Hi there
Does anyone know if they accept babies & prams at Tooting Bec lido?
Thank you!

[twoundertwo]

Absolutely! There is a baby and toddlers' paddling pool and lots of lovely shade.

[NewMummySW18]

Hi PhillyMinnie,

I used to go to Tooting Bec Lido often when I was training for triathlons .. but that hasn't been for about 2 years now! I would be interested in sharing baby watch duties while each of us a attempts a proper swim! Perhaps we should meet up first and meet babes? Only problem being that I head home to South Africa to 2 months on 7 August!

I attempted to go up to the Lido last Friday with a Mummy friend of mine ... bit of a disaster, but happy to share our experience so that other Mums don't make the same mistake!

We drove to the lido and got there at about 10:30am (paddling pool only opens at 10am, however main pool opens at 6am in the summer months I think). Needless to say, 10:30am was far too late!! Parking was full with a few of us then 'stuck' in the rather random circular parking lot .. trying to get out! We then drove back down the road to another parking lot ... also full! Not wanting to give up just yet, I then scoured the surrounding residential streets and managed to find a parking with a 4 hour max stay (fyi - have lots of change ready for the parking meter!) This was about a 10 minute walk through the common to the lido (bearing in mind I was carrying baby in the bjorn, with backpack on my back, plus coolerbox and sunshade!!) We eventually arrived at the lido at about 11am only to find a queue!! It looked rather scary, about 20-30 people with prams, children etc. It was at this point admitted defeat!! I just couldn't see how we were all going to fit comfortably around the paddling pool area with people already settled inside for the day and the queue outside!!

Lessons learnt:

Lesson no. 1) Take public transport or a taxi to the lido so you don't have to bother with trying to find parking.

Lesson no. 2) Go early!! Probably about 2 hours earlier than we did!!

[Jude]

i am also happy to share baby sitting duties as i would love to get a swim in on a regular basis.

[erinisle22]

Just to add to that experience...it gets even busier in summer school holidays (ie now for private and Thursday onwards for local public schools)...

[mlm]

Does anyone know if Brockwell Park is also overcrowded? I assume less as there's no paddling pool?

[clapset]

the Lido is awesome - will be taking the nipper there this weekend! If sun holds out

[sh88]

Is tooting lido paddling pool safe enough for supervising children rather than getting in with them? I have a cast on so proves a litrle difficult to get in!

[zaza107]

Sh88, it depends on the kids, I guess. The bottom of the paddling pool is a bit slippery (not because of anything yucky, it's just that the material used is a bit slippery itself). My two-year-old walks and runs around in the shallower area but occasionally slips and falls all the way in. So, if your children don't mind that, it should be fine to watch from the side. The deepest part is perhaps 70cm deep (?). There is a guard on duty all the time. It is lovely and not hugely crowded, now that we're done with the heatwave.

[laura.mason]

Hi there

I'd love to use this idea this summer. Any mums out there who'd like to meet at the lido and watch babies/take turn to swim?

Laura

[Cleod]

Does anyone know their openings times? Website not great

[Cleod]

Does anyone know their openings times? Website not great

[zaza107]

I think it's 6am to 7pm (ish) for the main pool and 10am on for for kids' pool. The kids' pool was open yesterday and is warm enough. The big pool was 15 yesterday morning, so probably at least 15.5 now. Have fun!

[Cleod]

Thanks x