http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34323 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34323 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34219 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34219 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34164 Dropping down from Crystal Palace to Elmers End and through West Wickham you arrive at Corkscrew Lane, and suddenly its woods, valleys and rolling fields. The Lane takes you right to the top of the majestic North Downs and on a good day you can see 30 miles. You might touch 40 mph on the exhilarating drop to Westerham. Turn left to follow the ancient Pilgrims way as it winds through vineyards on its way to Canterbury, 70 miles away. Then it’s the big cogs to climb the elegantly named Hogtrough Hill (15%), heading north through Cudham and the pretty Downe to Keston. Cutting left down the steep hill by the Norman church takes you past fields and stables until suddenly you arrive back at West Wickham again. The last push up Anerley hill is helped by the thought of the amazing double expresso at Café Paradou on Crystal Palace Parade – the perfect place to nod to the other riders who meet there.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34164 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33579 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33579 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33556 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33556 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33547 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33547 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33546 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33546 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33545 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33545 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33538 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33538 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33534 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33534 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33520 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33520 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33515 There is a vast array of pickled body parts, the skeleton of a 7’ 7” ‘Irish giant’, the tooth of an extinct giant sloth, and a slightly grisly display of pickled foetuses. More recent additions include Churchill’s dentures.
There is also the opportunity to try your hand at simulated keyhole surgery, and watch footage of brain surgery. Educational and fun at the same time!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33515 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33443 Trying to smuggle a cashbox up my jumper, during a fake heist of an old police station in South London, has to be one of my highlights of 2011.
Between £10 and £21 for each activity, usually lasting a couple of hours. For some events 100% of the revenue is donated to Mind. The crew are great and events usually end in the pub.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33443 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31907 The Art Deco Grade II listed building was recently renovated, extended and transformed and now offers fantastic health and fitness facilities all year round.
The Lido is managed in partnership with Fusion, a registered charity, who also run Camberwell's freshly-renovated baths.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31907 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31649 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31649 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31372 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31372 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31355 Now painted bright white inside, Camberwell’s pool has balconies lining the high walls, recalling those ancient, darker, brick-walled Victorian pools where I did my bronze medal life-saving awards many moons ago. The re-tiled 25m pool has very warm (for my chilly Atlantic and Irish Sea childhood training!) water and the clean, but damp changing rooms are also a little overheated. One drawback is the incredibly complicated opening time system, to cope with all the different sessions on offer, from aqua aerobics to ‘splash and floats’ to swim school. There are also many opportunities for lane swims, women-only swimming and general watery mayhem. When the lane system is in operation, some go clockwise, some anti-clockwise; I'm not sure why this is ... an anti-wave idea perhaps?!
The Victorian public baths first opened in 1892, and the grade II listed façade is in the Flemish Renaissance style, which explains why I always had a vaguely Antwerpian feeling when walking past!
There is also a friendly café, a gym and a sports hall within the historic, buffed up walls.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31355 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30288 The entertainment works for the whole family with loads of activities, interesting areas to explore and lots of great play areas. Kids can enjoy face painting too!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30288 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20197
There is a great wealth of history in terms of the industrial revolution and the various types of architecture but also the canal provides a welcome corridor of nature right through the centre of London. At 2mph it's an easy pace and you will learn how to do the locks and steer the boat. You can do an evening, a day or a week. It's self-catering.

Along the way is the London Canal Museum and various lovely old pubs. The Islington tunnel is 886 metres long - it's very impressive. Bring a nice bottle of wine and cruise through some of London's finest history. It's so peaceful.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20197 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20194
There's a 1.5-2 hour beginners' class at 6:30pm, followed by a social dancing milonga until 11:30pm. The whole lot costs just £10 and there are snacks and drinks.

Great for a romantic evening, learning a new skill, meeting a diverse set of people with something in common, and exploring a new part of London. Who could ask for more?!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20194