London


<p>When a heatwave (ok warm spell) hits, it&#8217;s a treat to be able to take a dip somewhere outdoors and, handily, the first official bathing place in London opens today (22 May). The Thames at Ham, between <a href="https://www.visitrichmond.co.uk/outdoor-activities/teddington-lock-p1581501" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Teddington Lock</a> and the Kingston riverbank, is one of 13 spots across the UK that have been declared clean enough to swim in by the Environment Agency. </p>



<p>Wild swimmer across London will be rejoycing that the stretch of river has officially been awarded &#8216;bathing water&#8217; status, and officers from the EA will continue to monitor it weekly to make sure it&#8217;s clean enough to swim in up until the end of the  season in September. </p>



<p>Not keen to dive into the Thames just yet? No worries, because London has plenty more lovely lidos, pools, ponds and lakes to splash around in. Here&#8217;s a few of our favourite watery places to cool down this sunny Spring. </p>



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



<p></p>



<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, 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</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&#8217;s a gym, spa and 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.</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. <strong>Open 6am &#8211; 10pm.</strong> </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="London Fields Lido " 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. </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. </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>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="535" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-28-at-13.04.38-1024x535.png" alt="Oasis Sports Centre in Covent Garden " class="wp-image-10622" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-28-at-13.04.38-1024x535.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-28-at-13.04.38-300x157.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-28-at-13.04.38-768x401.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-28-at-13.04.38.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<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. </strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pools-on-the-park-richmond"><a href="https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/richmond-upon-thames/pools-on-the-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pools on the Park</a>, Richmond  </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/juan-patlan-396YH2K1IV4-unsplash-1024x683.jpg" alt="Pools on the park Richmond " class="wp-image-10623" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/juan-patlan-396YH2K1IV4-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/juan-patlan-396YH2K1IV4-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/juan-patlan-396YH2K1IV4-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/juan-patlan-396YH2K1IV4-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<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-1.30pm week days, weekend 7.30am-1.30pm weekends. </strong>  </p>



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



<p></p>



<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). </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>Reopens 17 May, 10am-6pm. </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 last year&#8217;s heatwave, would that make you reconsider wild swimming? We think it might. <strong>Open 7am-8.45pm</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.</strong> </p>


London’s first official River Thames bathing spot + 11 more scenic swims

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