The second Brockwell Lido Fun Palace took place on Sunday with wonderful South London weather to help celebrate the free fun events both in and out of the pool.

Fun Palaces have their roots in the 1960s. Theatre Director Joan Littlewood and architect Cedric Price conceived the Fun Palace as a ‘laboratory of fun’ and ‘a university of the streets’. Sadly the original ideas didn’t take shape at the time.

Fast forward 50 years and the enthusiasm for Fun Palaces has returned. Last year saw 138 temporary Fun Palaces appearing around the UK. South London has particularly strong representation with events at various Lambeth libraries, as well as at the lido.

A strong theme at the lido for this year was the relationship between science and fun. The lido proved to be the perfect aquatic laboratory for all of the learning and enjoyment.

The Brockwell Fun Palace team had been busy setting up the event throughout Saturday and early into Sunday morning.

Kayaking was one of the main activities that took place in the pool.

This was mainly an event for kids, with plenty of adult supervision.

We’re not quite sure if you really need all of that excess clothing, Madam. The water temperature is still a beautiful Brockwell blue of 15 degrees.

As soon as the Fun Palace gates opened at 11am, there was no shortage of big and small kids for the kayaks.

Bumper to bumper.

Thankfully we didn’t see any of the kids capsize.

A lovely, lovely lido sight.

And then came the Brockwell Fun Palace mermaids!

Three South London mermaids took to the waters of Lake Brockwell, emerging theatrically out of their poolside cave with a little help from their pirate friends.

SPLASH. And she’s away!

Those mermaid tails certainly gave an extra kick in the water.

If you wanted to stay dry then there were plenty of other poolside activities.

The theme of exercising your brain in fun ways, via the medium of poolside chess.

Snakes and ladders also kept the kids happy.

As one would expect from a Fun Palace, this was a fantastic event for young families. This poolside table had an arty theme.

But wait! What’s this?

The toker’s corner of long lost lido summers was reclaimed for one afternoon. The idea was to draw a character card, and then insult a fellow competitor using wit, rather than profanity.

This tent explored the science behind the brain - all in a fun way, of course.

No Fun Palace is complete without bunting.

This was a simple but effective idea - write down a thought, and then interlink it with the thoughts of others. One wag wrote: “free swimming for every resident.”

My contribution to the @BrockwellLido Fun Palace Big Brain of Thought. pic.twitter.com/un1fGZsPyu

— Jason_Cobb (@Jason_Cobb) October 4, 2015

‘aint no party like a Lido Fun Palace poolside dancing party.

Most of the moves were themed around swimming.

And here come the kids.

Paddle boards also came to the lido.

The usual family friendly corner of the lido was turned into a peaceful garden for the afternoon.

Various discoveries were waiting to be found.

Cheer up - it’s only Barry the Illusioneer.

Baz was brilliant with the kids, multiplying bottles of Martini from under his yellow tubes. He then cut off someone’s finger.

Outside the lido was a Fun Palace representation from the brilliant Brixton based Ebony Horse Club.

The green grass was probably better suited for the horses, rather than the Brockwell blue water.

Saddle me up.

Looking after the horses and answering questions were some of the local kids that benefit from the work of Ebony.

In safe hands.

Pedro the little pony was around, but sadly he had gone for a wander whilst we were snapping away.

Many thanks to the Brockwell Fun Palace volunteers who have spent the best part of a year in planning and organising this event. It seems established now to hopefully continue, with each year having a different theme.