Brockwell Park is a much-needed slab of green (84 acres) just south of Brixton. Locals from the surrounding areas flock here in summer to sun-worship (if they're lucky), fly kites, swim in the outside pool, play football and parade a stunning array of dogs. It's big, diverse and interesting, with numerous areas to appeal to different tastes, from the calm, rolling meadows around Tulse Hill to the sloped football pitches by the Dulwich Road.
Brockwell Park was opened to the public in 1891 by the London County Council. Before that, it was the grounds of Brockwell Hall, the current version of which dates from 1811 and is Grade II listed. The hall still stands in the centre of the park and is now a slightly dilapidated place to purchase tea, cakes and excellent ice-cream.
The famous lido was built in 1937 and (after a difficult decade) was restored to its original beauty in 2007. The playground in Brockwell Park is a favourite, with its aerial slide, massive sandpit and sections for different age groups; nearby are the duck ponds and the huge paddling pool. Regular events include circuses, summer concerts and festivals, and the annual Lambeth Country Show: a sensational mix of village féte, city farm, reggae concert and vegetable sculpture gallery that draws crowds from across the city.
Is it just us or does Field Day feel way younger than 17 years old? Time flies, eh? The electronic-heavy festival returns to Brockwell Park in 2025 after a stint in east London, welcoming Peggy Gou, Jungle, Bubble Love (a new project from Ross From Friends), Jayda G, Fatima Yamaha and Mall Grab alongside other globe-trotting selectors for a full day of non-stop dancing.
Cross the Tracks is still a bit of a newcomer to the London festival scene, but with tasteful, groove-heavy curation across soul, funk and jazz, as well as loads of decent street food and craft beer, it’s already cemented itself as an anticipated name. The festival has a laid-back, open-arms appeal, meaning you’ll find people of all sorts of ages having a boogie. When is Cross the Tracks 2025? Cross the Tracks is taking place in its usual slot on Sunday May 25, in Brockwell Park. How much are tickets? General Admission tickets are on sale now from £54.50 + booking fee, while VIP tickets are available from £89 + booking fee. Tickets will get more expensive when the first tier sells out, so grab yours now if you want to save a bit of money. What’s the Cross the Tracks 2025 line up? Next year’s festival is headlined by soulful British singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka, with New Zealand-born alt R&B singer Jordan Rakei second on the billing. Further down the line-up you’ve got the likes of Nala Sinephro, Bashy, Gilles Peterson, Seun Kuti and Egypt 80, Cymande, Baby Rose and Channel One. Find more London music festivals here!
After a knock-out event last year, pop festival Mighty Hoopla has just announced its 2025 line-up, and it’s just got even more raucous. Known for showcasing the best of pop and queer culture in the UK, the two-day weekender launched in 2016 with a mission to celebrate pop classics and give a platform to established and emerging LGBTQ+ performers. 2025 will see resurgent pop icon Kesha and noughtiesa hitmaker Ciara headline, with support from Kate Nash, Pixie Lott, Jojo, Loreen, Vengaboys, Erika Jayne and a special surprise guest.
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