Get ready to jump in: these are the best places for wild swimming in London.
London might be one of the most lively metropolises in the world, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave the capital to connect with nature. From historic bathing ponds to straight-from-the-office spots, the city is home to some fantastic wild swimming locations, which offer a refreshing escape from the urban rush.
Whether you’re a seasoned open-water swimmer who is happy to brave the elements throughout the year or simply looking for a unique way to spend a summer’s day, discover our pick of the best places for wild swimming in London right now.
Sea Lanes, Canary Wharf
Imagine lifting your head out of the water and seeing some of London’s most breathtaking skyscrapers reflected in the pool. That’s the unique experience you can enjoy at Sea Lanes Canary Wharf, a brand-new, six-lane, Olympic-size outdoor pool that floats in the middle of Eden Dock in the capital’s financial centre. Perfect for city workers who want to squeeze in some exercise without having to head to a closed-off gym swimming pool, Sea Lane’s large size, filtered dock water (don’t worry, it’s not the same as having a dip in the polluted Thames), use of lane ropes and uniform depth mean it is also a great option for first-timers, as it’s a very safe and controlled environment for open water swimming. There are even two saunas on site and a bar to help turn your post-swim relaxation into a social affair, plus rumours of classes including aqua aerobics and paddleboarding to come.
Hampstead Heath Ponds
Without question, Hampstead Heath is the home of wild swimming in London, and it also offers one of the capital’s most truly authentic bathing experiences. The three iconic ponds are totally surrounded by the park’s greenery for a relaxing – if sometimes busy – environment, with each pool separated by gender (one for women, one for men, and one mixed gender), plus a mixed 60-metre lido, so you can choose to swim where you are most comfortable. From a safety perspective, there are trained lifeguards at all the locations, but the water is fairly deep and unlevelled (as well as being home to certain algae), so it’s best enjoyed by competent swimmers. As you can probably imagine, the pools can also get very busy in the summer when the weather is good, so check the website for when prior booking may be required to secure your spot.
The Serpentine, Hyde Park
The Serpentine Lido is one of London’s most famous places to open water swim, offering the rather unique experience of taking a dip in the middle of Hyde Park, potentially with ducks and swans for company, while still benefiting from lifeguards and managed facilities. In fact, the Serpentine has been associated with open-water swimming for over 150 years and is home to Britain’s oldest open-water swimming club, known for holding the famous Peter Pan Cup race on Christmas Day. In the summer, when the pool is opened to the broader public, the atmosphere is relaxed and sociable. You’ll find people doing everything from leisurely dips to longer training swims as part of the lively triathlete and Ironman communities, while others simply sunbathe on the small beach area. It’s an excellent choice if you want a memorable outdoor swim without feeling like you’ve left the city.
Beckenham Place Park Lake
Widely recognised as London’s first purpose-built swimming lake, Beckenham Place Park Lake in southeast London was designed in 2019 as part of a major regeneration of a former golf course – and what it really benefits from is space. The lake is approximately 285 metres long, which is the equivalent of over five and a half Olympic-sized swimming pools, making it one of the largest places to enjoy a natural swim in London. As it is centred within Lewisham’s largest park, it also feels really removed from the pace of London life, without needing to travel very far, and there’s plenty of room for everyone to enjoy a swim, even at the busier times of day. (That said, you do still have to pre-book your sessions.) Another benefit is that the site also runs other water-based activities like paddleboarding, so there are multiple ways you can enjoy taking to the water.
FAQs for wild swimming
1. How do I stay safe while wild swimming?
The appeal of wild swimming, as the name suggests, can be to move away from the lane ropes and chlorine of traditional swimming pools, but you should try to stick to designated swimming areas where possible, rather than entering rivers or ponds without guidance, as depths and water quality can be totally unknown. Some pools will also not have specific steps in and out of the water, or be prone to uneven ground underfoot; plus, the water won’t be heated, so it can get chilly, even in the summer. That means you should always enter slowly and go for a dip with at least one other person if you can.
2. What should I wear and bring with me?
Alongside bringing your swimming costume and a towel, it can be useful to wear wet shoes when wild swimming, to avoid cutting your feet or slipping on the changing terrain. Don’t forget your sunscreen, and a swimming hat in a bright colour will also help you be easily spotted in the water, which can be useful for keeping you safe. In fact, some locations require you to wear one – check before you head in.
Becki Murray is Citizen Femme’s Beauty and Wellness Director and one of the only UK journalists to hold a Distinction-grade diploma in cosmetic science. Becki also heads up CF’s spa guide, so you could say she’s an expert in the science of relaxation too…
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Lead image credit: The SerpentineÂ
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