Finchley Lido

The Finchley Lido sits just outside Elstree and delivers exactly what you'd expect from a proper public pool - chlorine, chaos on warm days, and the occasional glimpse of someone actually doing lengths. It's an open-air affair, which means you're at the mercy of the British weather, but on those rare sunny weekends in summer it's genuinely worth the visit.

You get a main pool for serious swimmers and a shallow end for younger kids who haven't yet worked out that they're not actually drowning. Adults lap-swimming happens early mornings and certain sessions - worth checking before you go, as times shift seasonally. The place isn't fancy. There are no pretensions here. It's functional, local, and busy during school holidays, which is either a selling point or a reason to avoid it depending on your tolerance for screaming children echoing off wet concrete.

If you're staying at Elstree Park nearby, this works as a decent half-day activity to break up the holiday routine. Bring a book for the poolside, though shade is limited. Entry fees and opening hours change, so you'll need to phone ahead - there's no website to speak of.

For families, it's solid. For keen swimmers wanting serious training, check the session times first. For anyone imagining a Mediterranean lido experience - this isn't it. This is British municipal swimming, authentic and unglamorous.