Back to nature: The best wild swimming spots in London
Make a splash at our favourite lakes, lidos and ponds in the capital
Who needs the beach when London is home to so many wild swimming spots? While some people may prefer sand between their toes and endless salt water, hardy Londoners have been getting their swimming fix at the city’s ponds and lakes for decades. From diving into the Thames and Royal Parks, to quieter lakes and ponds in Richmond and Finsbury Park, there are plenty of places to cool down, kick back and relax among the city’s abundant nature this summer. Always check the water safety standards before jumping in, and read on to discover everything you need to know about our favourite wild swimming spots in London. Pass us the dry robe…
Petersham Meadows, Richmond
Fancy going for a swim in the Thames? While we certainly don’t recommend diving head-first into the murky brown waters weaving through the city, venture southwest to Richmond to discover Petersham Meadows. Spanning 24 acres of water meadow, this wild swimming spot can be accessed via a pebble beach and opens up into a large bay, where you can swim across to the other side of the riverbank and even glimpse the rowing boats in action. Beware of currents and reed beds underfoot as it isn’t lifeguarded. However, it is free to use, managed by The National Trust and Richmond Council, and is only moments from both the District line and Ham Street Car Park but truly feels like a world away.
Petersham Meadows, River Lane, Richmond, TW10 7AG
Hampstead Heath Ponds, Hampstead
Hampstead Heath Ponds need no introduction. A famed wild swimming spot which draws large crowds when London heats up in the summer – meaning you will have to book in advance from May onwards – these ponds are also a hive of celebrity activity, with the likes of Harry Styles and Andrew Garfield being known to cool off among the pond’s reeds and lily pads. It is divided into three pools designated for ladies, men and mixed groups – children aged between eight and 15 years old are allowed at the lifeguard’s discretion – and, collectively, are the UK’s only lifeguarded open-water swimming facilities open to the public every day of the year. While you’re guaranteed an invigorating dip, you most certainly will not be alone; with sessions priced at just £5, it is no surprise that more than nine million people visit the ponds each year. Be prepared for busyness.
Hampstead Heath, NW5 1QR, visit cityoflondon.gov.uk
Serpentine Lido, Hyde Park
Home to the oldest swimming club in Britain, which dates back to 1864, this iconic cold water lake is the only place where you can swim in one of London’s Royal Parks. It is open all year round to its club members, which is already at its 200-person limit, but is open to the public on weekends from May and then everyday from June until September. There’s no need to book here and you can enjoy a day pass from £8.40, and the lido is well serviced by an array of cafes and bars on dry land. There are very few places where you can practice your front crawl surrounded by London landmarks…
Serpentine Lido, Hyde Park, W2 2UH, visit sportsandleisure.royalparks.org.uk
Beckenham Place Park, Lewisham
Beckenham Place Park opened in 1929 as London’s first purpose-built swimming lake, measuring up to 285 metres long and reaching depths of nearly four metres. It is now the reserve of committed outdoor swimmers, who are seemingly unfussed by its often icy temperatures, as well as paddle boarders, and requires you to pre-book your one-hour slot (roughly £7.40) six days a week. While it’s not lifeguarded, it is surrounded by a grassy bank which, come the summer months, is usually filled with picnics.
Beckenham Hill Road, Beckenham, BR3 1SY, visit beckenhamplacepark.com
West Reservoir Centre, Finsbury Park
Walthamstow Wetlands may look tempting for north Londoners when the capital reaches boiling point in July, but venture a little further southwest to West Reservoir Centre to discover an open-water lake you can actually swim in. Spanning a whopping 23 acres, the reservoir is home to a number of swim courses, ranging from a 100m warm-up lap to a 200m loop. Water is regularly monitored by the in-house safety team and sessions, priced at £13 per hour, can be booked via the Better app.
West Reservoir Water Sports Centre, Green Lanes, Woodberry Down, N4 2HA, visit better.org.uk
