London


<p>When a heatwave hits it&#8217;s a treat to be able to take a dip somewhere outdoors and, handily, London has more than its fair share of lovely lidos, pools, ponds and lakes to splash around in or on. Here&#8217;s a few of our favourite watery places to cool down this summer. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lidos-amp-pools">LIDOS &amp; POOLS</h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tooting-bec-lido-wandsworth"><a href="https://www.placesleisure.org/centres/tooting-bec-lido/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tooting Bec Lido</a>, Wandsworth  </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="617" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-08.24.06-1024x617.png" alt="Tooting Bec Lido " class="wp-image-3705" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-08.24.06-1024x617.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-08.24.06-300x181.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-08.24.06-768x463.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-08.24.06.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Londoners have been perfecting their butterfly and breaststroke in this unheated (character building) pool year-round since 1906 and now, thanks to a multi-million pound revamp earlier in the year, the UK&#8217;s largest fresh water lido is looking mighty swish, including fancy landscaping and a new pool lining (so long broken tiles). <strong>Open 6am-8pm in summer; £9.40. </strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brockwell-lido-herne-hill"><a href="https://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/brockwell-lido/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brockwell Lido</a>, Herne Hill </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="716" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-12.06.27-1024x716.png" alt="The Lido by Libby Page" class="wp-image-3755" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-12.06.27-1024x716.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-12.06.27-300x210.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-12.06.27-768x537.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-12.06.27.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Muddy&#8217;s spent time splashing around in this open air playground and can pass on a few tips: it&#8217;s very cold (which is great in a heatwave, not so much when it&#8217;s 7˚C) so pack your dryrobe, there are yoga classes on site too and the &#8216;café&#8217; is in fact a lovely restaurant, so refuel there post-dip. Can&#8217;t be bothered to swim? Pick up a copy of <em>The Lido</em> by Libby Page, the fictional tale of two women fighting to save Brockwell&#8217;s pool and you&#8217;ll get the vibe. <strong>Open 6.30am-7.30pm; £8.</strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-charlton-lido-greenwich"><a href="https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/greenwich/charlton-lido" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charlton Lido</a>, Greenwich  </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-7-1024x576.jpeg" alt="Charlton Lido " class="wp-image-3708" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-7-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-7-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-7-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-7.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Charlton Lido by @VisitLondon</figcaption></figure>



<p>An impressive 50-metre outdoor pool that&#8217;s ideal for a splash around if you&#8217;re South East way. There&#8217;s a lifestyle club too, which has an Olympic-sized indoor heated pool, just incase you&#8217;re feeling too fragile for al fresco. Oh and the sun terrace is a good place for a coffee post-swim. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-london-fields-lido-hackney"><a href="https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/hackney/london-fields-lido" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">London Fields Lido</a>, Hackney </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-3-1-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-3717" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-3-1-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-3-1-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-3-1-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-3-1-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-3-1-500x500.jpeg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-3-1-1100x1100.jpeg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-3-1.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">London Fields Lido @ Image Hackney.gov</figcaption></figure>



<p>Get ready to drop your bacon sandwich, because this 50-metre mega pool is HEATED to 25˚C year-round. Ok this isn&#8217;t so great in a heatwave, but believe Muddy you&#8217;ll be grateful if you decide to head there when temperatures are in the low teens, ie most of the year. Also great for swimming lessons and sunbathing on the massive deck. <strong>Open 6.30am-9pm, £6. </strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parliament-hill-lido-nw5"><a href="https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/where-to-go-at-hampstead-heath/parliament-hill-lido" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parliament Hill Lido</a>, NW5</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="713" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-09.21.20-1024x713.png" alt="Parliament Hill Lido " class="wp-image-3720" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-09.21.20-1024x713.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-09.21.20-300x209.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-09.21.20-768x535.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-09.21.20.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Open 365 days a year, this ever popular outside pool is always busy so best book ahead. Close to Hampstead Heath and Gospel Oak, it&#8217;s a north London institution and, while there aren&#8217;t gourmet restaurants or sunbathing terraces, it&#8217;s the perfect place for a swim on a sunny afternoon. <strong>Open 7am-8.30pm, from £4.70. </strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oasis-sports-centre-covent-garden"><a href="https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/camden/oasis-sports-centre" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oasis Sports Centre</a>, Covent Garden</h2>



<p>Covent Garden? We know, it&#8217;s hard to believe this lengthy, heated pool is just a stroll from all the shops, theatres and restaurants. The municipal building&#8217;s no looker, but who cares when there&#8217;s an outside pool to play in plus an inside heated pool for lessons and aqua fit. <strong>Open from 6.30am, £7.70. </strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pools-on-the-park-richmond"><a href="https://www.richmond.gov.uk/services/sports/our_sports_and_fitness_centres/pools_on_the_park/visiting_pools_on_the_park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pools on the Park</a>, Richmond  </h2>



<p>Located next to the scenic deer park (&#8216;Fenton!&#8217; if you know, you know), the pools include an outdoor (heated!) venue plus inside pools, gym and fitness studios, so you can have a work out too if you get the urge (which we probably won&#8217;t). <strong>Open 6.30am-9pm week days, weekend 7am-6pm, £6.50. </strong>  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lakes-ponds-amp-reservoirs">LAKES, PONDS &amp; RESERVOIRS </h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beckenham-place-park-lewisham"><a href="https://beckenhamplacepark.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beckenham Place Park</a>, Lewisham  </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/beckenham-place-park-lewisham-things-to-see-and-do-lake-swimmers-in-lake-1024x576.jpg" alt="Beckenham Park Place " class="wp-image-3732" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/beckenham-place-park-lewisham-things-to-see-and-do-lake-swimmers-in-lake-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/beckenham-place-park-lewisham-things-to-see-and-do-lake-swimmers-in-lake-300x169.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/beckenham-place-park-lewisham-things-to-see-and-do-lake-swimmers-in-lake-768x432.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/beckenham-place-park-lewisham-things-to-see-and-do-lake-swimmers-in-lake.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>London&#8217;s first purpose-built swimming lake is a joy in summer, a place you can wild swim without the fear of having your toes nibbled by ferocious fish or being swept away in a current. If you&#8217;re keen to play on the water instead of in, this is also a great place to learn to Stand Up Paddleboard. <strong>Open daily (check website as times vary), £6.20. </strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-london-royal-docks-docklands"><a href="https://loveopenwater.co.uk/swimming-london-royal-docks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">London Royal Docks</a>,  Docklands </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="681" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-5-1-1024x681.jpeg" alt="London Royal Docks swimmer " class="wp-image-3733" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-5-1-1024x681.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-5-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-5-1-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Unknown-5-1.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">London Royal Docks @ Love Open Water </figcaption></figure>



<p>Open water swimming at the Royal Docks is invigorating and slightly unnerving, but the inner city backdrop is ideal for a humble #WildSwim Instabrag. A treat when the weather&#8217;s warm, book a session through Love Open Water but be warned &#8211; there aren&#8217;t lido-like facilities so best come wearing your swim gear. <strong>Times vary, £9.50.</strong> </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-serpentine-lake-hyde-park"><a href="https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/hyde-park/serpentine-lido" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Serpentine Lake</a>, Hyde Park </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="612" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-10.30.14-1024x612.png" alt="Serpentine Lake " class="wp-image-3734" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-10.30.14-1024x612.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-10.30.14-300x179.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-10.30.14-768x459.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-10.30.14.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>They call it a lido, but Muddy&#8217;s been and believe us this is a lake people. One of the city&#8217;s most iconic open water places for a swim, it&#8217;s cool (literally) and has top tier facilities too, including a café and bar ideal for a cheeky post-swim glass of rosé. <strong>Open 10am-6pm, £7.50. </strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hampstead-heath-ponds-hampstead"><a href="https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/where-to-go-at-hampstead-heath/kenwood-ladies-pond" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hampstead Heath Ponds</a>, Hampstead </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="658" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-10.52.48-1024x658.png" alt="Hampstead Heath mixed pond " class="wp-image-3735" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-10.52.48-1024x658.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-10.52.48-300x193.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-10.52.48-768x493.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-10.52.48-1536x987.png 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-10.52.48.png 1756w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: @ Mixed Pond Association </figcaption></figure>



<p>Deep, cold, iconic, no we&#8217;re not talking Emma D&#8217;Arcy in the new series of <em>House of the Dragon</em>, but rather the swimming ponds on Hampstead Heath. If Muddy were to tell you that Harry Styles was spotted there in the last heatwave, would that make you reconsider wild swimming? We think it might. <strong>Open 7am-8.45pm, £4.70.</strong> </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-west-reservoir-hackney"><a href="https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/hackney/west-reservoir-centre" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Reservoir</a>, Hackney </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="976" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-11.07.40-1024x976.png" alt="West Reservoir Hackney " class="wp-image-3737" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-11.07.40-1024x976.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-11.07.40-300x286.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-11.07.40-768x732.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-14-at-11.07.40.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s 23 acres of open water swimming at this in-the-know hideaway, so no danger of it feeling too crowded even when the mercury rises. Also a great place to head if you&#8217;re looking to try new watersports, including kayaking and sailing. The waterside café&#8217;s the icing on the cake. <strong>Sessions from 10am-4pm, £12.30.</strong> </p>


Splash zone! The best places for an outdoor swim (and more) in London

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