London


<p>The heatwave&#8217;s hit and our outdoor swimming pool and good times detector has been well and truly activated. Luckily London has loads of sun-soaked places, from five-star hotels to lovely lidos, where it&#8217;s possible to take a dip followed by a glass of something chilled when temperatures soar.  </p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image"><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><strong>The pool:</strong> &#8216;They&#8217; call it a lido, but Muddy’s taken a dip there and believe us this is a lake, people. One of the city’s most iconic open water places for a swim, is cool (literally) and there&#8217;s a designated area just for bathers. </p>



<p><strong>Benefits: </strong>Don&#8217;t fancy swimming? There&#8217;s always the option to take out a pedalo, have a go kayaking or hire a boat from The Hyde Park Boathouse. And when it comes to scoffing and quaffing, Art Deco <a href="https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/hyde-park/serpentine-lido-cafe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Serpentine Lido Café </a>has a gorgeous terrace overlooking the lake open for breakfast, lunch or a  cheeky post-swim afternoon glass of rosé.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-virgin-hotel-shoreditch"><a href="https://london.muddystilettos.co.uk/blank/">Virgin Hotel</a>, Shoreditch</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/24/2026/05/Unknown-3-2-1024x683.jpeg" alt="Virgin Hotel London " class="wp-image-21588" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/05/Unknown-3-2-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/05/Unknown-3-2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/05/Unknown-3-2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/05/Unknown-3-2.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Pool:</strong> This East London hottie is based in the former Mondrian Shoreditch building on Curtain Road and has Ibiza in the city vibes, including a small-yet-stunning rooftop pool.  </p>



<p><strong>Benefits:</strong> If you join members club <a href="https://www.45london.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">45 London</a> you&#8217;ll have free access to the pool, plus all the other extras like restaurant, spa, gym and events. Hotel guests can use the space too though, which lies alongside rooftop restaurant <a href="https://www.45london.com/45th-7th" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">45th &amp; 7th</a>, the perfect place to head post-swim for a bottomless mimosa brunch. </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="560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-26-at-11.46.52-1024x560.png" alt="400 rabbits Herne Hill " class="wp-image-21590" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-26-at-11.46.52-1024x560.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-26-at-11.46.52-300x164.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-26-at-11.46.52-768x420.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-26-at-11.46.52.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Pool:</strong> Brixton&#8217;s Beach is the best place to head in south London when temperatures rise. Not only is it cool (it feels refreshingly chilly year-round), but the Art Deco Grade II-listed buildings and lush greenery of Brockwell Park beyond make it a dream place to perfect your breast stroke. </p>



<p><strong>Benefits:</strong> The lido&#8217;s café is legendary (Muddy&#8217;s been to a brilliant 40th birthday party there). Run by <a href="https://www.400rabbits.co.uk/hernehill" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">400 Rabbits</a>, you can enjoy handmade sourdough pizzas and cocktails (Happy Hour&#8217;s 4-7pm Tues-Fri) by the pool. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-art-otel-london-battersea-power-station-nbsp"><a href="https://artotellondonbattersea.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">art’otel London</a>, Battersea Power Station&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="588" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/06/Unknown-1-2-1024x588.jpeg" alt="art'otel London Battersea Power Station " class="wp-image-11608" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/06/Unknown-1-2-1024x588.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/06/Unknown-1-2-300x172.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/06/Unknown-1-2-768x441.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/06/Unknown-1-2.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Pool:</strong> Overlooking the famous towers of the reimagined power station, this is honestly our rooftop pool of dreams. Sixteen floors up with incredible views (even better at night), who doesn&#8217;t love an infinity pool away from the hordes? </p>



<p><strong>Benefits:</strong> It&#8217;s available to hotel guests, however there are public events up there that you might want to consider, including sunrise yoga and <a href="https://artotel.com/en/hotels/london/battersea-power-station/event/aqua-board-pilates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aqua board pilates</a> (£55 including breakfast) where you get to wobble your way through a pilates class on the water (and dive in at the end, obvs). <a href="https://www.joiabattersea.co.uk/rooftop-bar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JOIA Rooftop</a>, the hotel&#8217;s vibey bar, is the place to relax with a cocktail after all that exertion.  </p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image"><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><strong>Pool: </strong>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 pool, just incase you’re feeling too fragile for the current dazzling heat of al fresco.</p>



<p><strong>Benefits: </strong>We love a linger on a sun terrace and, handily, Charlton has two with loungers you can book if you&#8217;re planning on making an afternoon of it (£30 for three hours, includes swimming pool entry). Also stick around to clink drinks at the café and there&#8217;s a gym and fitness studio too. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-berkeley-knightsbridge-nbsp"><a href="https://www.the-berkeley.co.uk/rooftop-swimming-pool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Berkeley</a>, Knightsbridge&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/06/the-berkeley-rooftop-pool-2025-960x720artboard-1-1-1024x768.jpg" alt="The Berkeley pool London " class="wp-image-11618" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/06/the-berkeley-rooftop-pool-2025-960x720artboard-1-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/06/the-berkeley-rooftop-pool-2025-960x720artboard-1-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/06/the-berkeley-rooftop-pool-2025-960x720artboard-1-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/06/the-berkeley-rooftop-pool-2025-960x720artboard-1-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Pool:</strong> The premier league of hotel pools, this summer it has reimagined itself as Capri in the City, thanks to a collaboration with Acqua di Parma. If you&#8217;re lucky enough to pay a visit (it&#8217;s exclusive to hotel guests) to this Knightsbridge oasis, you&#8217;ll discover a world of striped loungers, pretty parasols, city views and potted palms. </p>



<p><strong>The benefits:</strong> Surrenne, the hotel’s spa, has a Tracy Anderson fitness studio and café with a menu created by nutritionist Rose Ferguson.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finchley-lido-finchley"><a href="https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/barnet/finchley-lido-leisure-centre" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Finchley Lido</a>, Finchley </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/24/2026/05/richard-r-schunemann-ZmZEkO-pb7M-unsplash-1024x683.jpg" alt="Finchely Lido " class="wp-image-21600" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/05/richard-r-schunemann-ZmZEkO-pb7M-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/05/richard-r-schunemann-ZmZEkO-pb7M-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/05/richard-r-schunemann-ZmZEkO-pb7M-unsplash-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/05/richard-r-schunemann-ZmZEkO-pb7M-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Pool: </strong>From The Berkley to Finchley Lido Leisure Centre might sound like a major pivot, but this north London pool has some real selling points (not least the fact it&#8217;s £8.50 for a swim). There&#8217;s 25 metres lanes to mow up and down in the open air and it&#8217;s unheated, which is very welcome with temperatures currently hitting 90˚C (less so in November), plus a grassy terrace to loll around on after your dip. </p>



<p><strong>Benefits:</strong>  If you want more aquatic adventures, you could always venture inside to try the wave pool. And, after you&#8217;ve got your clothes back on, the leisure centre has a cinema and restaurants for meals and movies. </p>



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Pools with benefits – where to swim, sip & sunbathe in the heatwave

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