Where shall we meet?: The Lido Restaurant, Hyde Park

There are people who swim in London rivers, and here's where they do it officially, chlorine and all. For pounds 1.50 you can gain ingress via a turnstile gate from Hyde Park into this leftover of the health and efficiency drive, where you will find deckchairs and a patch of grass free from little reminders of other people's dogs. This is a good place to go if you don't want to be held hostage by London's restaurateurs, as there are no restrictions on bringing your own food and drink. This is a good thing as the cafe, which sells basic snack foods, is erratic in its opening hours and phone answering.

The Lido Restaurant, Hyde Park W2 (071-724 2423)

Tomorrow: Cafe des Amis WC2

(Photograph omitted)