The Lido: The most uplifting, feel-good summer read of the year

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The statue was made by Sir Richard Westmacott using 33 tonnes of bronze from cannons captured in Wellington's campaigns in France. A stainless steel plaque listing the names of the victims is sited on a grass bank at the far eastern end of the memorial. When the Lido—which I learned is an open air swimming pool—in Brixton is slated to close, Rosemary is up in arms. Even though the Lido is Kate and Rosemary's only common denominator at the beginning, their friendship becomes so much more over time. Rosemary is 86 years old, and daily visits her local lido for a swim; she has recently tried to stir up interest in saving the lido from being bought up and removed by high-end property developers.

The sense of place throughout the book is a strong one, and the setting is as prominent a character as its two protagonists Rosemary and Kate.They have highs and lows, problems and worries and realise what is important to them and their lives.

The central screen, designed by David Wynne, unites two national symbols: the lion of England with the unicorn of Scotland. She loves it still, and she cannot abide the fact that the lido is being sold to private developers who want to put up “swish new high rises. Despite spending her entire life in this South West London community centred around Brixton, and having numerous acquaintances Rosemary hasn't really opened up to anyone since the death of her husband, the love of her life.

The Huntress fountain, located in the Rose Garden, features a bronze figure of Diana, the goddess of hunting, shooting an arrow. The author's writing style is being compared to Fredrik Backman, and it certainly has the feel of it, but it can't quite reach it. The characterisation of her two main protagonists is vivid, with each voice believable and at times deeply affecting.

In the tradition of Fredrik Backman, The Lido is a charming, feel-good novel that captures the heart and spirit of a community across generations—an irresistible tale of love, loss, aging, and friendship. There’s nothing the least bit special about any of the characters, nothing the least bit unforgettable about them. For a more tranquil visit, explore the winding paths and picturesque meadows in the north of the park or head for the rose garden, near to sandy Rotten Row – a historic route that ran from Kensington Palace to Whitehall. Set in contemporary Brixton, it is a story of urban loneliness and unlikely friendship, centring on Kate, an anxious 26-year-old junior reporter on the local paper, who has recently left her hometown of Bristol.The carving, by Sir Jacob Epstein, represents Rima, the child goddess of nature who featured in Hudson's novel Green Mansions, published in 1904. If you are a regular swimmer, you can save by getting a season ticket for the Lido, the Ponds or both. Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with an arc of this new book through NetGalley for my honest review.

I loved Rosemary’s back story, the growth of Kate’s as the tale progressed, and the way in which each and every one of the characters are so raw and relatable. Two landmark Hyde Park fountains are here as well – the Boy and Dolphin Fountain and Diana the Huntress Fountain. Kate is a twenty-six-year-old riddled with anxiety and panic attacks who works for a local paper in Brixton, London, covering forgettably small stories. The memorial was designed by David Backhouse and consists of a 58ft curved Portland stone wall displaying carvings of animals. From the blazing colours of the Rose Garden in full bloom, to the quiet sanctuary of the Dell, Hyde Park’s gardens are the perfect place to escape everyday life, and de-stress.The Holocaust Memorial is a garden of boulders surrounded by white-stemmed birch trees, located to the east of The Dell.