There is a rare chance to visit the historic and unique Marshall Street Baths in Soho this weekend as part of London Open House (though they have been missed out of the listings). The open days are run by the Friends of Marshall Street who campaign for the re-opening of the swimming pool which closed 10 years ago. There will also be information on Westminster Council's plans for the refurbishment and re-opening of the pool alongside a development of flats which will pay for the work.

Marshall Street Baths, Marshall Street, Soho, London W1. Nearest Tube: Oxford Street. Opening times: 12 - 4pm Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September ...more ---> ...

| Marshall Street Baths | 12 September 2006; 5:15:54 PM |# | | Discuss |

London's largest outdoor pool was today preparing to host a weekend of free swimming-inspired activities to celebrate 100 years of serving the capital's communities.

This weekend, September 16 and 17, Tooting Bec Lido will open its turnstiles to the public for free swimming sessions, an art exhibition, a talk on the history of the pool and a tree planting ceremony.

The lido, which has been celebrating its centenary this summer, was the first open-air pool to be built on London County Council land.

Originally known as the Tooting Bathing Lake, the project was devised by the Reverend John Hendry Anderson, who was the rector of Tooting between 1897 and 1913, as a means of helping the unemployed.

The lido is almost twice the length of an Olympic pool and contains one million gallons of unheated water. ...more ---> ...

| Lido News | 12 September 2006; 12:35:14 PM |# | | Discuss |