Where to sunbathe and swim in London: top 11 locations within the city limits

Middle Dock

Attendance requirements and reservations at link.

One of the points for swimming in the River Thames, where favorable water quality has been confirmed by numerous laboratory tests, is located in the Canary Wharf business district in east London. Middle Dock opened to swimming enthusiasts back in early June. The site is now open to guests four days a week – Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. For a single visit to the reservoir overlooking the urban oasis you have to pay £9, and for a symbolic price of £15 pounds you can buy an annual pass. Alternatively, those looking to improve their swimming skills can book a private lesson with one of the site’s coaches.

Royal Docks

To find out more and make a reservation, please click link.

Another popular swimming spot in east London is just over the Canary Wharf area. The Royal Docks artificial lake is open to swimmers aged 6 and over throughout the year, but before visiting you must take an online ‘cold temperature tolerance’ test with Love Open Water, the company that oversees the reservoir. There is a lawn with sun loungers and changing cubicles on the shore, as well as various cafes and bars. The swimming area is open four days a week – Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. A single visit costs £9.5.

Hampstead Heath Ponds

To book your swim slot, go to link.

In the middle of the picturesque Hampstead Heath Forest Park, between the upscale neighborhoods of Hampstead and Highgate, there are three swimming ponds – with separate areas for women and men – that easily recreate a summer village picture from childhood memories. It should be noted that due to the depth of the ponds, the water here does not warm up as much as in other bodies of water provided for swimming in London – but this is a great location for those who want to take a course of hardening before the onset of autumn. The ponds are open to the public every day from 7am to 9pm. Adult tickets cost £4.5 and children’s tickets (from 8 years old) cost £2.7.

West Reservoir

You can book and pay for a swimming slot on the app Better UK.

There is a 750-meter-long reservoir on the territory of an open-air water sports complex in the Hackney area. Conditions are quite spartan – swimmers are advised to change in advance, as the number of changing rooms is strictly limited. The reservoir in Hackney is now open to adult visitors only, with a single session costing £10. As well as swimming, West Reservoir offers private lessons in water skiing, wakeboarding, yacht and canoeing.

Serpentine Lido

Details at link.

In the heart of London, in the picturesque Hyde Park there is a 100-meter long sandy beach and artificial lake Serpentine. The place is open for swimmers every day from 10 am to 6 pm until mid-September and is especially suitable for families – compared to other London reservoirs, Serpentine is not so deep and, accordingly, the water here warms up much better. The beach area is equipped with individual changing rooms, a terrace with sun loungers, umbrellas and a cafe. Entrance to Serpentine beach for the whole day costs £7.5 per person. Serpentine Swimming Club also trains at the complex, and anyone can take part in competitions organized by it.

Beckenham Place Park

To book a slot for a visit – at link.

The 96-hectare Beckenham Park complex in south-east London is home to another popular location for the summer swimming season. The local 285-meter lake is one of the newest bodies of water for swimming in the British capital. The deepest point reaches about 3.5 meters, but there are shallower areas near the shore, making the lake suitable for visiting with children. As well as swimming, there are also private kayaking lessons available. To visit Beckenham, you must book a slot in advance and pay a fee of £5.5.

Finchley Lido

You can book a slot to attend here..

One of the open-air pools in London is located in the north of the capital, in the green neighborhood of Finchley. Compared to other open-air pools, it is quite small – with a length of 25 meters – but because of the distance from the city center, it is almost never crowded. There is a lawned beach around the perimeter of the pool. In addition, in the same center there is an indoor pool and gym, as well as many restaurants and a movie theater, so a visit to this location can easily fill a whole weekend. The cost per visit is £7.8 for adults and £4.8 for children.

Oasis Sports Center

You can reserve a slot link.

Located in the heart of London’s Covent Garden tube station, this complex is perfect for those who want to escape the heat without having to travel outside the city center. The outdoor, year-round heated pool is 30 meters long and surrounded by a terrace equipped with umbrellas and sun loungers. In the peak summer season there will certainly be a lot of visitors, so this location is more suitable for recreational swimming than for sports swimming. The cost per visit is £6.85.

Pools on the Park

Details and reservations – at link.

Another year-round warm water pool is located in West London in the Richmond area. The water temperature here is 24 degrees Celsius throughout the year, and in addition to the pool, there is a spa and gym on site. The wellness center where the pool is located can also arrange a swimming course for you. The price for a single visit is £8.

London Fields Lido

You can book a slot for a visit here..

This option is great for those with a truly sporting interest in swimming. Located in the Hackney area of north-east London, the 50-meter heated pool dates back to the 1930s and has been open all year round ever since. There is also an outdoor café, ideal for a post-swim snack, and a large terrace with sun loungers where you can sunbathe. Incidentally, this complex offers instructor-led swimming lessons – for both children and adults. The cost of one visit is £6.

Park Road Leisure Center

Details and booking of slots – at link.

Another outdoor 50-meter pool that is located in north London’s Crouch End. The water there is heated all year round and the surrounding area is elegantly fenced off with green shrubs. The grassy beach is perfect for a picnic or for taking a sunbath. The swimming pool is part of the fitness complex, but one-off visits are also available there without purchasing a season ticket. Park Road Leisure Centre also has three indoor pools, a sports center, sauna, steam room and cafe.