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.
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