London Fields Lido

The London Fields User Group (LFUG) spent 18 years saving this glorious 1930s Olympic-sized lido from the bulldozers. Hackney Council adopted many of LFUG's renovation proposals and the pool reopened in October 2006 to widespread acclaim. The original low red-brick buildings disguise the 50m pool, with its cheerful lockers and bunting. Families throng the place at weekends, but an early-morning dip is one of east London's secret pleasures.