Brockwell Park

Brockwell Park is a much-needed slab of green (84 acres) just south of Brixton. Locals from Herne Hill, Tulse Hill and Brixton 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 really rather vicious 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 LCC. 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 has been restored to its original beauty. 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 new paddling pool. A revamp is due to continue anytime soon. Regular events include Zippo's Circus, summer concerts and the Lambeth Country Show, a sensational mix of village féte, city farm, reggae concert and vegetable sculpture gallery that draws crowds from miles.