When a heatwave hits it’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’s a few of our favourite watery places to cool down this summer.

LIDOS & POOLS

Tooting Bec Lido, Wandsworth

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’s largest fresh water lido is looking mighty swish, including fancy landscaping and a new pool lining (so long broken tiles). Open 6am-8pm in summer; £9.40.

Brockwell Lido, Herne Hill

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

Charlton Lido, Greenwich

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

London Fields Lido, Hackney

Get ready to drop your bacon sandwich, because this 50-metre mega pool is HEATED to 25˚C year-round. Ok this isn’t so great in a heatwave, but believe Muddy you’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. Open 6.30am-9pm, £6.

Parliament Hill Lido, NW5

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’s a north London institution and, while there aren’t gourmet restaurants or sunbathing terraces, it’s the perfect place for a swim on a sunny afternoon. Open 7am-8.30pm, from £4.70.

Oasis Sports Centre, Covent Garden

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

Pools on the Park, Richmond

Located next to the scenic deer park (‘Fenton!’ 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’t). Open 6.30am-9pm week days, weekend 7am-6pm, £6.50.

LAKES, PONDS & RESERVOIRS

Beckenham Place Park, Lewisham

London’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’re keen to play on the water instead of in, this is also a great place to learn to Stand Up Paddleboard. Open daily (check website as times vary), £6.20.

London Royal Docks, Docklands

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’s warm, book a session through Love Open Water but be warned – there aren’t lido-like facilities so best come wearing your swim gear. Times vary, £9.50.

Serpentine Lake, Hyde Park

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

Hampstead Heath Ponds, Hampstead

Deep, cold, iconic, no we’re not talking Emma D’Arcy in the new series of House of the Dragon, 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. Open 7am-8.45pm, £4.70.

West Reservoir, Hackney

There’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’re looking to try new watersports, including kayaking and sailing. The waterside café’s the icing on the cake. Sessions from 10am-4pm, £12.30.