Watercolour of a much-loved Hyde Park institution.
 
The Serpentine Lido Cafe sits beside the Serpentine Swimming Club's bathing area in Hyde Park, one of central London's most unexpected open-water spots. The lido has been in use since the 19th century, offering a proper swim in the middle of the city rather than a chlorinated pool. The cafe building is modest and functional, designed to serve swimmers and park visitors rather than to dominate the landscape.
 
On summer mornings the area fills with regulars taking their daily dip, while tourists often stumble across it by accident. The combination of trees, water and skyline makes it a surprisingly peaceful corner of Hyde Park, especially early in the day.
 
Interesting facts…
King Henry VIII once hunted deer across this entire area. The Serpentine Swimming Club, founded in 1864, still holds its traditional Christmas Day race every year, with dozens of swimmers plunging into the cold water as spectators cheer from the bank.
 
Location: The Serpentine Lido Cafe, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH, United Kingdom