Loading...Brockwell Lido
One of the few surviving swimming pools from the 1930s. Located in the southern part of Brockwell Park, it is much loved by residents of the Lambeth area—not least for its beauty. The Art Deco-style complex includes a café, a gym, and a sauna, and regularly hosts wellness events. In 1990, the pool was set to close, but residents collected 4,000 signatures and succeeded in keeping it open—after it reopened, the place came to be affectionately known as Brixton Beach.
The water at this outdoor pool isn’t heated, but it’s a safe place for beginners: the depth gradually increases from one to two meters. Unfortunately, there isn’t a separate pool for small children.
In 2025, Brockwell Lido took first place in the UK’s ranking of swimming spots. After a swim, you can relax at a table at the Four Hundred Rabbits café overlooking the pool, take a stroll by the ponds and old oak trees, explore the Victorian garden and public greenhouses, and then climb the hill for a view of central London. On Sundays, it’s a great way to end your walk at Herne Hill Station, where there’s a small market selling prepared foods, baked goods, and cheeses.
A single visit costs £9.50 for adults and £6 for children. On hot days, it’s best to book a session in advance—it’s a popular spot.
How to get there: The nearest train station is Herne Hill, and the nearest subway station is Brixton, about a 15-minute walk away. Buses also stop right by the pool.
Tooting Bec Lido
London’s oldest and largest outdoor pool—it’s been open since 1906! The Lido was built in just four months and was originally used as a public bathhouse: in the early 20th century, most homes in the neighborhood did not yet have their own bathrooms. Its scale is also impressive: the pool is 91.4 meters long and 33 meters wide—almost twice as long as an Olympic-sized pool.
As at Brockley, the water here is not heated, and the depth ranges from 0.9 to 2.1 meters. There is a separate shallow pool for small children, and lawns for relaxing and picnicking surround the main pool.
Two years ago, the lido reopened after renovations: the pumps, pipes, and pool lining were replaced; a modern ultraviolet filtration system was installed; and the grounds were landscaped. In 2026, Tooting Bec Lido was ranked among the top three outdoor pools not only in London but in all of Britain.
After swimming, you can have a picnic or take a walk through Tooting Bec Common, or grab lunch at Tooting Market, which features cuisines from around the world: Mauritian, Pakistani, Italian, and many others.
Tickets cost £9.40 for adults and £5.20 for children; to purchase them, you must register on the PlacesLeisure website. Although the water here is not heated, the pool remains open in ZIMA, but only members of the South London Swimming Club are allowed to use it.
Directions: About a 10–15-minute walk from the Tooting Bec subway station and the Streatham train station. Buses 249 and 319 stop practically right across from the entrance. There is also a small free parking lot, but the administration recommends using public transportation.
London Fields Lido
A heated outdoor swimming pool in Hackney. Opened in 1932, the complex was very modern for its time: it featured a water filtration system, changing rooms, and a café from the very beginning. In 1988, the pool was closed, and over the next 18 years, it gradually fell into disrepair. A campaign by local residents also saved it from demolition.
The main advantage is the ability to swim year-round: the pool is kept at a temperature of about 24 °C, and the lanes are lit in the evening. The depth is also comfortable: from 1.2 to 2 meters. The pool features separate lanes for slow, medium, and fast swimmers, so London Fields is especially appealing to those who come to train and don’t want to disturb anyone else. For a more relaxed experience, there are “Swim for All” sessions and a separate sun deck.
It would be a shame not to visit Broadway Market after your swim—a street lined with independent cafes, bakeries, bookstores, and small shops. Afterward, you can head down to Regent’s Canal and stroll along the water to Victoria Park.
A single-visit ticket without membership costs £6.40 for adults and £3.50–3.75 for children, depending on the time of visit. A standard session lasts 50 minutes, but you can stay longer on the terrace by booking a separate two-hour slot for sunbathing. Tickets are also sold at the entrance, but demand is high, so we recommend booking your time slot in advance.
How to get there: The closest station is London Fields on the Weaver Line—it’s just a few minutes’ walk through the park from there. Hackney Central and Hackney Downs stations are also convenient; buses 30, 55, 106, 236, 254, 277, 394, and D6 run nearby. There is parking for 75 bicycles at the entrance.
Greenland Dock
A historic dock that serves as a center for water sports. It was built in the late 17th century, and later whaling ships from the Arctic began arriving here—which is how the dock got its current name. Although you can also swim here, we recommend choosing this spot for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and windsurfing. A two-hour Recreational Watersports session costs £34.80: no experience is required, all equipment is included in the price, and instructors will help you choose and learn the sport that’s right for you.
A 300-meter route has been marked out in the dock for independent swimming—given the depth of 9.4 meters, this is very challenging for beginners. Before your first swim, you’ll need to complete a 15-minute skills assessment. You cannot simply enter the water from the pier—swimming is permitted only during organized sessions under the supervision of lifeguards. The water quality itself is rated “Excellent.” There are separate programs for children: many introductory classes in kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and sailing are available for children as young as eight.
It’s worth visiting at least once to see the area from the water—and to admire how the towers of Canary Wharf rise above the low-rise buildings and yacht masts. You can end the day with a trip along the Thames: Greenland Pier, where river buses depart, is located near the eastern end of the dock.
Directions: The center is located on Rope Street, SE16 7SX. The nearest stations are Surrey Quays on the Windrush Line and Canada Water on the Jubilee and Windrush Lines. You can also take the river bus to Greenland Pier and walk along the waterfront to the center.
Sea Lanes Canary Wharf
The newest swimming spot in our selection. The 50-meter pool opened in June: the water flows directly from the dock, isn’t chlorinated or heated, so it retains its natural greenish tint. At the same time, the water quality is rated “Excellent” by European standards—so this is the place for you if you can’t stand the smell of chlorine in a regular pool but are also wary of wild swimming spots.
The depth is uniform throughout—1.3 meters. However, Sea Lanes is designed primarily as a lap pool: beginners are offered lessons with a coach and introductory sessions on swimming in cold water. The Lido is supervised by lifeguards 364 days a year.
Canary Wharf isn’t really suitable for a family vacation: children under eight aren’t allowed in the water. A one-hour session costs £10, and swimming plus access to the sauna costs £18. To make a reservation, you’ll need to create a free account: slots open one week in advance for regular visitors and two weeks in advance for pass holders. You should also bring a towel and a padlock for your locker.
In addition to the saunas, the property features a terrace, a bar, and a restaurant serving brunch. Basically, it’s an attempt to create a mini-resort—with the only difference being that glass towers rise above the water instead of palm trees. After a swim, you can stroll through the Eden Dock floating gardens or explore the Canary Wharf Art Trail: the area features over a hundred works of art on display outdoors.
Directions: Sea Lanes is located at 15 Newfoundland Place, London E14 4BH. The nearest stations are Canary Wharf on the Jubilee and Elizabeth lines, and Heron Quays on the DLR.
Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds
An option for those who don’t like swimming pools at all and want to be closer to nature. Hampstead Heath is home to three natural swimming ponds: Kenwood Ladies’ Pond for women, Highgate Men’s Pond, and the Hampstead Mixed Pond, which is open to everyone. They were created in the 17th and 18th centuries, when tributaries of the underground River Fleet were dammed here to supply water to London’s expanding neighborhoods. The men’s pond was once famous for having the country’s first diving platform, and today it hosts a traditional Christmas swim.
The water here, of course, isn’t heated or treated—and its cleanliness may raise some questions. But, as expected, lifeguards are on hand to ensure safety. All three ponds are deep—ranging from 3 to 7 meters—so they’re only suitable for confident swimmers! Inflatable rings and arm floats are prohibited, and children under eight are not allowed even on the adjacent lawns.
The women’s and men’s pools are open year-round, including holidays. The co-ed pool is open only from April through October. Operating hours vary by season: in the summer, you can swim until evening, while in ZIMA, shorter daylight hours significantly shorten the operating hours.
Tickets are £5 for adults. During the summer, the schedule is divided into reserved-seat sessions and walk-in sessions, for which you can buy a ticket at the entrance.
Each pond has its own atmosphere: the women’s pond is popular for its seclusion and sheltered meadow, while the men’s pond is the most spacious of the three. You can round out the day with a walk through the woods to Kenwood House and its gardens.
How to get there: The swimming ponds are a 10-minute walk from Hampstead Heath Station and a 17-minute walk from the Hampstead subway station. The Men’s and Ladies’ Ponds are located on the east side of the park, near Millfield Lane: it’s about an 18-minute walk from Gospel Oak to the Men’s Pond, and about a 23-minute walk to the Ladies’ Pond. Bus No. 214 stops near both ponds.
West Reservoir
A reservoir in the north, tucked away between Green Lanes and the new developments at Woodberry Down. It was built in 1833 along with the neighboring East Reservoir; both reservoirs were constructed to purify and store water supplied to North London. In 1992, there were plans to fill in the reservoirs and build over them, but local residents succeeded in saving them.
There is no beach or shallow area here, and swimming is only permitted during organized sessions hosted by the WestReservoir Center, along routes marked by buoys that range from 100 to 300 meters in length. This location is intended for those who feel confident in deep open water: the operator does not specify the exact depth of the reservoir, but you definitely won’t be able to touch the bottom. Swimming is permitted for those 14 years of age and older when accompanied by an adult.
A time slot includes about 50 minutes in the water and costs £13.15 without a membership; you must sign up in advance. Every swimmer must have a safety buoy—which is provided on-site if needed—and a bright red, orange, or pink swim cap.
In addition to swimming, people here also enjoy sailing and kayaking—and the reservoir is much better suited for these activities than for swimming. After your workout, you can have a cup of coffee on the center’s terrace and then walk over to the nearby Woodberry Wetlands Nature Preserve.
Directions: About a ten-minute walk from the Manor House subway station; buses 106, 141, and 341 stop nearby. There is bike parking and a small free parking lot.
The Thames at Ham
People don’t usually swim in the Thames—not because of the water quality, but because the current is too strong and there are many dangerous whirlpools and drop-offs. But in May, London’s main river opened its first official swimming area—between Hamm and Kingston. You can swim here for free and without a reservation, and its official status means, above all, that the water quality is regularly tested.
There are public restrooms, a café, parking, a defibrillator, and an emergency rescue bag with a rope nearby—but there are no proper changing rooms, no showers, and no professional lifeguards. We recommend this spot only for confident swimmers: the depth varies depending on the section, the river level, and rainfall, and there is constant traffic from boats, kayaks, and other watercraft. It is recommended to swim in a group, stay no more than ten meters from the shore, and under no circumstances cross the river—including attempting to reach Trowlock Island.
Since this stretch was first included in the program in 2026, it does not yet have a final classification; that will be assigned after the season ends. Nevertheless, the Thames at Ham is beloved for its green banks, tranquility, and abundance of birds. From here, you can walk north to Teddington Lock, cross the river via the pedestrian bridge, and have lunch in Teddington.
How to get there: Look for the YMCA Hawker Centre. It’s about a 24-minute walk from Hampton Wick Station. You can also reach the river from Burnell Open Space in Ham, which is served by buses 65 and 371; however, while swimming, the official recommendation is to stay closer to the shore on the Kingston side.
