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    Plantrip London – Things to do in London
    Home»Visit London»What to see and do in London»The Best Wild Swimming Spots in London
    What to see and do in London

    The Best Wild Swimming Spots in London

    8 Mins Read
    Go Swimming in London
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    The sun is out, and the sweltering heat of summer is here! Grab a cool beverage, pack your beach towel and sunscreen, and don your most stylish pair of shades.

    Contents hide
    1 Beckenham Place Park
    2 London Royal Docks
    3 London Fields Lido
    4 Serpentine Lido Hyde Park
    5 Kenwood Ladies’ Pond
    6 River Wey Surry
    7 Frensham Great Pond
    8 Gartenart Swimming Ponds
    9 Tooting Bec Lido
    10 Falling Foss
    11 River Colne
    12 West Reservoir Center
    13 Standborough Park Swimming
    14 Mixed Bathing Pond
    15 Highgate Men’s Bathing Pond
    16 Best Wild Swimming Spots in London Revealed

    Now that you are ready to dive headfirst into some cool, refreshing water, read on to learn about the best wild swimming spots in London and surrounding districts.

    Beckenham Place Park

    In 2019, this 200-year-old lake was restored for visitors of all ages and skill levels to enjoy a lovely place of peace and wild outdoor swimming in London.

    The surrounding park is 96 hectares, complete with a garden, cafe, and other outdoor facilities, making it suitable for a whole day of family fun! We encourage you to book a one-hour time slot through their website before visiting.

    Hours of operation:

    • Monday-Friday: 7 am-3 pm (Tuesday/Thursday closed)
    • Weekends: 8 am-3 pm

    Location: Beckenham Hill Rd, Beckenham BR3 1SY, United Kingdom

    Price: £6 for non-Lewisham residents and £3.50 for children

    Lewisham residents pay £5 and £3 for children

    (Family package 5 people with a maximum of 3 adults £16)

    More information: Beckenham Place Park

    London Royal Docks

    The London Royal Docks sit in front of the outstanding backdrop of Canary Wharf. Water is pumped into the pools from the estuary, making it an excellent location for wild swimming in London.

    The Docks feature changing facilities, equipment for rent, and food and drinks, all within a five-minute walk from one another. The hours of operations vary for London swimming, so check out their website before you go.

    And since you are already in the area, take a look at our list of great things to do around Greenwich.

    Hours of operation: One-hour slots are open from 7-8 am to 10-11 pm

    Location: Dock Road, Royal Docks London E16 1AH

    Price: £8

    More information: London Royal Docks

    London Fields Lido

    The London Fields Lido is a 50m Olympic open-air pool complete with a cafe. This facility offers heated swimming in the winter for year-round enjoyment. They also provide a variety of lessons for children and adults and spaces for free swimming.

    Hours of operation: Monday-Sunday, 6:30 am-9 pm

    Location: London Fields West Side Hackney, London E8 3EU

    Price: Various memberships are offered, including monthly, weekly, and daily packages

    More information: London Fields Lido

    Serpentine Lido Hyde Park

    This 100m lake was created in 1730 as an ornamental lake and is well known for its “Christmas Day Races,” otherwise known as the “Peter Pan Races.” This event is now only open to members of the swimming club due to the freezing temperature of the water.

    They are currently closed and will be opening back up in the summer of 2022; we are sure this will be the new “hot spot” for swimmers of all levels. They will also offer waterside tables.

    Check their website for updates, times, and prices. You don’t want to miss out on this rare chance to swim outdoors in London!

    Location: Hyde Park, London, United Kingdom

    Kenwood Ladies’ Pond

    This is for our more experienced female swimmers; Kenwood Ladies’ Pond is a women-only spot with deeper, colder waters. Kenwood Ladies’ Pond sits right on the edge of Hampstead Heath and is also one of the unique places to enjoy outdoor swimming in the London area.

    Hours of operation:

    • May 1, 2022: 7 am-8:15 pm
    • August 14, 2022: 7 am-7:45 pm

    Location: Ladies’ Pond, Hampstead Heath, London NW3 1AS

    Price: Adults £4.25 / Concession £2.55 (if paying with cash, please bring exact amount as no change is given or pay by contactless card)

    More information: Kenwood Ladies’ Pond

    River Wey Surry

    River Way is the best starting place for those new to wild swimming. With its bright green scenery and sandy spots, this is a tranquil location with relaxing, natural water. Take a towel or a picnic mat as there are no benches to rest on along the river.

    Location: Take the train from Waterloo to Guildford. It is a short, easy walk from Guildford station to the river.

    Frensham Great Pond

    Another great spot in Surry North is Frensham Great Pond. The number one rule here is to stay inside the marked areas. The water is shallow, and there are beaches to rest on and a small cafe for refreshments.

    Hours: car park closes at 9 pm

    Location: postcode GU10 2QB

    Parking price: Monday-Friday is free entry

    Weekends/Holidays £4.00

    More information: Frensham Great Pond

    Gartenart Swimming Ponds

    With clean water, fresh flowers, and beautiful landscapes, Gartenart is nothing short of a perfect Instagrammable moment. You can visit the locations below to enjoy a quick dip or check out this page on pricing to customise your own pond.

    The 2022 open days are:

    • Saturday, July 2, 12-6 pm, Princes Risborough, Bucks
    • Saturday, July 2, 11 am-3 pm, nr Hungerford, Berks
    • Saturday, August 6, 12-6 pm, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
    • Saturday, August 20, 11 am-3 pm, Romney Marsh, Kent
    • Saturday, September 3, 11 am-3 pm, nr Basingstoke, Hampshire

    More information: Gartenart Swimming Ponds

    Tooting Bec Lido

    Measuring 91.5 metres, Tooting Bec Lido is one of the biggest outdoor lidos (open-air pools) in London. It is popular, so make sure you visit their website to book a slot before you arrive.

    Tooting Bec Lido is located in an excellent spot for those keen to explore London. If you are looking for a place to stay around the Lido or in South London, peruse our suggestions.

    Hours of operation:

    • 7 am-2 pm in April
    • 6 am-8 pm until 31 August
    • 6 am-5 pm (or dawn, whichever is later) from September onwards

    Location: Tooting Bec Rd, London SW16 1RU, United Kingdom

    Prices: Adults (16+): £8.30 / Child,Senior,Concession,Student £5.20

    More information: Tooting Bec Lido

    Falling Foss

    True naturists with a love of the wild swimming experience should look no further than Falling Foss. Though technically not too close to London, this one is worth the 4-hour drive!

    There is an exquisite waterfall complete with a pool for swimming. Head here to enjoy the nature of the area.

    There is a rustic tea garden cafe for snacks and drinks when you feel hungry after your swim. It makes an excellent option for a unique and memorable family outing.

    Location: Falling Foss, Whitby, North Yorkshire

    More information: There is ample parking around Falling Foss and Falling Foss Tea Garden

    River Colne

    The River Colne is near the Rickmansworth Aquadrom—out in Zone 7. It is worth journeying out here for the cool, shallow, nature-edged waters and the chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

    You might be able to find free parking at Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Frogmoor Lane, WD3 1NB. If swimming in the River Colne is not for you, you can also check out the Aquadrome for their swimming facilities.

    Location: Follow the footpath from Bury Lake

    More information: Rickmansworth Aquadrome

    West Reservoir Center

    This wild swimming location is for experienced swimmers only. They provide a cafe for those in need of a bite to eat or drink.

    There is a 220m loop and a 100m lane. Book a 1-hour time slot on their website.

    Location: Green Lanes, Hackney, London N4 2HA

    More information: West Reservoir Centre

    Standborough Park Swimming

    Stanborough Park is a great place for outdoor swimming and various water sports in London. It is a 400-metre training spot for open water swimming.

    Lake swimming is strictly prohibited outside of their open water swimming sessions. Children are allowed over the age of 14. If under the age of 16, they must be accompanied by an adult from the same household.

    Hours of operation:

    • Saturdays from 23rd April 2022 – 08.00 to 10.00
    • Wednesdays from 27th April 2022 – 17.30 to 19.30

    Location: Standborough Road, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL86DF

    Price: £7

    More information: Stanborough Park

    Mixed Bathing Pond

    This swimming spot is for men and women alike. Located in Hampstead Heath, this pond provides changing rooms and outdoor showers. The pool is deep, and lifeguards are on duty, but only strong swimmers are encouraged to visit.

    Location: Mixed Pond, Hampstead Heath, London, NW3 1BP

    Price: Adult £4.25 / Concession £2.55 (payments can be made by exact change or contactless card)

    More information: Mixed Bathing Pond

    Highgate Men’s Bathing Pond

    Highgate Men’s Pond is another one of the places to swim in London, located in Hampstead Heath. This pond is strictly for men who want to try wild swimming.

    Hours of operation:

    • May 1, 2022: 7 am-8:15 pm
    • August 14, 2022: 7 am-7:45 pm

    Location: Men’s Pond, London, NW3 1BP

    Price: Adult £4.25/ Concession £2.55 (payments can be made by exact change or contactless card)

    More information: Highgate Men’s Pond London

    Best Wild Swimming Spots in London Revealed

    If you are looking for family-friendly adventures, this list of the best wild swimming spots in London and the surrounding areas has you covered!

    Now you know where to go swimming in London, remember to swim safely and wear proper attire for swimming. Some of these wild waterholes will be colder or more dangerous than others. Follow the rules of each swimming location provided on their websites.

    If you are interested in checking out more things to do around London, visit our website. We have a variety of activities and itineraries for adults and kids alike.

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