Are you wondering where to swim in London? Perhaps you’re a keen swimmer planning a visit to the UK’s capital (like me) or maybe you are new to swimming and keen to find all the top spots in the city you call home. Whichever, this article will help you find great places to swim in London, both indoors and outdoors.
And whilst it’s hard to find genuine wild swimming, London does have some spots that can feel wild, even close to the city centre.
Who am I? My name is Seana Smith, I’m a Scot now living in Australia and, on visits back to the UK, I love to find new places to swim. This article starts with a list of the places I have been to already, and where I suggest you start, followed by a list of all the swimming spots I plan to explore on my next visits to London.
Outdoor Swimming In London
Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds
There are three natural swimming ponds at Hampstead Heath: The Kenwood Ladies Pond, The Highgate Men’s Pond and the Hampstead Mixed Pond. All of these ponds are completely natural, with deep water, surrounded by trees and plants.
My daughter and I met a friend at the Ladies Pond when we visited London and spent a really relaxing few hours there, swimming, lying on the meadow under a shady tree and nattering joyfully.
The Kenwood Ladies Pond and The Highgate Men’s Pond are open all year round. Hampstead Mixed Pond is open only over the summer months, from mid-April to October. There is a fee to enter each pond and at some times of the day and season, tickets need to be pre-booked. Check the website for all the details.
The opening hours vary by the season, so do check on the website for current opening hours, click here.
On warm days in summer, these pools are very busy and you are best to book ahead, or face very long queues. In winter, the temperature of the water in the ponds is very low, this makes for very serious cold water swimming, so do be careful. Lifeguards are on duty.
Address: All three ponds are easily accessed from Millfield Lane, Hampstead Heath.
Parliament Hill Lido
This 60 metre long pool is open every day of the year and is not heated. It can be very busy – and full – in summer. Hardy winter swimmers enjoy it for its cold temperatures, and can then warm up in the on-site sauna.
I loved this pool for its unusual length and for its sparkling beauty. The pool is lined with dimpled stainless steel which gleams on a sunny day. Just gorgeous!
The cafe at the pool served up a warming bowl of de luxe porridge and a very good coffee. Just what I needed after a chilly April swim.
Parliament Hill Lido was opened in 1938, the most recent renovations added the stainless steel pool liner which is such a feature of this pool.
Address: Parliament Hill Lido, Gordon House Road, London, NW5 1LT
Serpentine Lido
The marked off swimming area in the Serpentine in Hyde Park is open to the public in spring and summer, from mid-May at weekends and then daily between June and mid-September from 10am to 6pm. You can book and pay online via the website. That is highly recommended for warm days. There are sessions from 10am – 1.30pm and from 2.30pm to 6pm. Lifeguards are on duty.
There is a members-only swimming club which can use the swimming area between 5.30am and 9.30am every day of the year, but it’s strictly members only. I found this out when I arrived at 7am one morning with my cossies and a towel. I nearly cried! Should have taken my own advice and checked all the details before setting off.
Address: Hyde Park, London W2 2UH
Website: https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/hyde-park/serpentine-lido
London Fields Lido
This 50 metre pool is open all year round and is heated. Marvellous! There is a cafe and plenty of space to sunbathe and natter.
Address: London Fields West Side, Hackney, London E8 3EU
Website: better.org.uk/london-fields-lido
Tooting Bec Lido
Famous for being the largest freshwater outdoor pool in the UK, Tooting Bec Lido is an exhausting 91 metres long. This pool and the kids’ paddling pool are not heated and can be very chilly. There is a cafe but you can also bring in your own picnic.
The pool is open to the public over the spring and summer, but is only open to members in the winter.
Booking ahead is recommended.
Address: Tooting Bec Road, Tooting, London SW16 1RU
Website: https://www.placesleisure.org/centres/tooting-bec-lido/
Charlton Lido & Lifestyle Club
A South London favourite, Charlton Lido boasts an outdoor heated 50 metre pool, plus cafe and sun bathing area. Check the website for information about opening times and the many other facilities.
Address: Hornfair Park, Shooters Hill Road, Greenwich, London SE18 4LX
Website: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/greenwich/charlton-lido
Brockwell Lido
Brockwell Lido boasts an unheated 50 metre outdoor pool, and has a poolside sauna during winter. The pool buildings are built in the art deco style. There is a cafe on site and fitness facilities.
Address: Dulwich Road, Herne Hill, London SE24 0PA
Website: fusion-lifestyle.com/brockwell-lido and the Users Group website is: https://www.brockwelllido.com/
London Royal Docks + Canary Wharf
Swimming in the heart of London’s financial district is very urban-scenic! These two open water swimming venues have lifeguards and the water is tested regularly. The docks are close to the Thames but are not part of it. Tow floats are essential.
Address: Dock Road, Royal Docks London, E16 1AH
Website: https://loveopenwater.co.uk/swimming-london-royal-docks and https://loveopenwater.co.uk/canary-wharf/
Best Indoor Pools in London
London Aquatics Centre
Built for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this swimming complex has two 50 metre pools plus a 25 metre diving pool. There are gyms and other fitness facilities too.
Address: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20 2ZQ
Website: https://londonaquaticscentre.org/
Marshall Street Leisure Centre & Spa
Soho’s premier swimming pool is inside a most beautiful 1930s building and has a glorious semi-circular roof and the original marble floor. The pool is 30 metres long and there are all sorts of fitness facilities in the complex.
Address: 15 Marshall Street, Soho, London W1F 7EL
Website: https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/marshall-street-leisure-centre-spa
Ironmonger Row Baths
Originally a wash house, Ironmonger Row Baths had pools added in the 1930s and now is home to a 30.5 metre pool and a learn-to-swim pool. The original Turkish baths are now part of a modern and rather luxurious spa.
Address: 1 Norman St, Islington, London EC1V 3AA
Website: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/islington/ironmonger-row-baths
And there’s also:
The Oasis Sports Centre with indoor and outdoor 27 and 25 metre pools, near Covent Garden.
Website: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/camden/oasis-sports-centre
Crystal Palace National Sports Centre has a 50 metre pool, a 25 metre pool and a teaching pool.
Website: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/crystal-palace/crystal-palace-national-sports-centre
Books About Where To Swim In London
Outdoor Swimming London: 140 best wild swims and lidos within easy reach of the capital, by John Weller and Lola Culsan, Wild Things Publishing, 2022
Swimming London: London’s 50 greatest swimming spots, by Jenny Landreth, Aurum Publishing, 2014
So that’s my roundup of the best indoor and outdoor swimming spots in central London? So now you know where to swim in London and so do I!
Do you know of others that I have missed?
I’m now all set to try out another pool (or two or three or five) the next time I get to London. Not sure when that will be, but I shall certainly be packing a couple of cossies.
Happy swimming!
Swimmers, click here to find lots of other articles about where to swim.
