The UK has been in the grips of a heatwave and I was desperate to cool off – so I decided to head to one of the lowest rated lidos.11:58, 24 Jun 2026Updated 11:59, 24 Jun 2026Britain has been sweltering through a heatwave this week, with temperatures nudging past 35C. As someone who loves sunshine and summer, and having grown up in New Zealand, I was confident I could handle whatever came my way.‌The moment I woke up on Monday morning, I realised I had drastically underestimated how I'd cope, and I desperately needed to submerge myself in water within the hour. Fortunately, I live just a 25-minute bike ride from Brockwell Park, which is home to the much-loved Brockwell Lido.‌Despite residing in the area for two years, I'd never once visited the outdoor pool — but lying in my bed, drenched in sweat without having lifted a finger, I decided the time had finally come.‌I should have anticipated it wouldn't be straightforward. Unknown to me, the current operator of the Lido, Fusion Lifestyle, had gone into administration on April 1, 2026, with Active Lambeth due to take over from July 1.As a result, the booking system had completely collapsed. No matter how hard I tried, booking a slot proved impossible, and with temperatures climbing by the minute, my desperation was growing.‌I attempted calling, messaging and searching online, all without success — though one thing Google did unearth was a string of alarming reviews.According to visitors who had shared their experiences on TripAdvisor, Brockwell Lido is "absolutely grim", with changing rooms plagued by flies, filthy pool tiles and broken facilities. The lido has managed just a 2.9 out of five rating — hardly the most encouraging of endorsements.Deciding to take a chance, and rather than continue battling with the booking system, I got out of bed, jumped on my bike and headed to the park to try securing a spot the old-fashioned way — face to face.‌Upon arriving at the pool, I was delighted to discover from the cheerful receptionist that walk-ins were indeed available. It set me back £9.50, and she kindly directed me to the changing rooms.The moment I stepped inside, some of the reviews suddenly began to make sense. A pungent smell of sewage hung heavily in the muggy air, while the soaking wet tiled floors were covered in grime and hair.The changing room was cramped, dingy and stifling, and I held my breath and kept my shoes firmly on as I changed into my swimming costume.‌Despite the grim state of the changing rooms, I was genuinely taken aback by how delightful it was once I made it out to the water. The pool is vast, featuring several lanes for those looking to swim lengths, alongside a generous free-swim area.I hadn't been swimming for nearly a year — the longest I'd ever gone without being in the water. With the scorching temperatures, it was absolutely glorious to float in the cool, crystal-clear water while watching planes drift across the brilliant blue sky overhead.I spent roughly two hours at the pool, dipping in and out of the water and letting the sunshine dry me off before eventually making my way home.Article continues belowDespite the damning reviews, the lido turned out to be a surprisingly pleasant experience. The changing rooms certainly leave much to be desired, but the pool itself was beautiful and spotless.If you don't mind a touch of grubbiness, and you're near enough to pop down in person to make a booking, then it's most definitely worth the journey.