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Outdoor swimming has become one of London's great pleasures, from wild bathing in the Hampstead ponds to lengths in a heated art-deco lido. Whether you want a bracing dip or a sunny afternoon by the water, this guide covers where to swim in the open air.
The historic lidos
London's lidos are among its finest interwar treasures. Tooting Bec Lido in the south is one of the largest freshwater pools in Europe, unheated and bracing, while Brockwell Lido in Herne Hill and London Fields Lido in Hackney, a heated fifty-metre pool, draw devoted crowds. Parliament Hill Lido beside Hampstead Heath gleams with a stainless-steel base. These pools are as much about the setting and the community as the swim.
Wild swimming and the Heath ponds
For something wilder, the Hampstead Heath bathing ponds offer year-round open-water swimming in three ponds, mixed, men's and ladies', ringed by trees and wildlife in the middle of the city. The Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park lets you swim in the famous lake. Open-water swimming carries real risks around cold and currents, so follow the lifeguards and posted guidance, and never swim where it is not permitted.
Are London's lidos heated?
Some are and some are not. London Fields Lido is heated and open year-round, while Tooting Bec and several others are unheated, offering a bracing swim that is most popular in summer. Check each pool's details before you go, as opening seasons and temperatures vary.
Can you swim in the Hampstead Heath ponds?
Yes. The Hampstead Heath ponds are open for swimming, with separate mixed, men's and ladies' ponds, and many swim year-round. They are natural, unheated and lifeguarded during set hours, so check the times and follow all safety guidance before taking the plunge.
Where to go next
For dry-land green space, see the best parks and gardens in London, or find more warm-weather ideas in our things to do in London guides.
